Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences

Multiply your expertise

Enjoy mathematical challenges? Want to apply your skills to computer-based problems?

Maths and computer science is a powerful combination. In an increasingly technological age, pairings like these are only becoming more valuable for a wide variety of careers.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences is a flexible degree. Program advisers are available to work with you to develop a study program tailored to your interests and career goals. You will:

  • learn from world-class researchers and teachers in state-of-the-art facilities
  • build fundamental statistical and mathematical knowledge
  • explore complex computer systems and theories
  • hone your creativity, rigour, logical thinking, professionalism and research skills
  • pursue diverse electives—from business classes to social science programs.

Majors are available in:

* If you’re interested in broadening your mathematical expertise, you can also choose to study any two of: Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, or Statistics in any combination (e.g. Applied Mathematics and Statistics) in lieu of a single major. 

A minor is also available in Public Health.

Where could it take you?

You could decode messages and breach security systems as a cryptanalyst. You might apply linear algebra in the design of virtual reality software. Perhaps you’ll develop theorems as an academic or land a job at a major firm in Silicon Valley.


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


  • Ranked #50 in the world for computer science and engineering^
  • Five-star rating for teaching quality and student support#
  • Showcase your work and network with future employers at Ingenuity

^ARWU, 2022
#Good Universities Guide, 2022

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 314541
2023 CSP ATAR 71.8
2023 CSP IB 26.25
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 80
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 29.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July* *Students commencing in July may have a slightly limited selection of courses.
Prerequisites SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods . IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) . MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 60.8
Median ATAR to receive an offer 88.7
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 99.8
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 71.8
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 93.45
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    22 43.1%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    24 47.1%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students 5 9.8%
    All students 51 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $7,635

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


Graduates are highly regarded by employers and have been successful in a wide variety of industries.

Recent graduates have been employed by organisations such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), United Water, Santos, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Additionally, graduates find work in consulting engineering firms, the pharmaceutical industry, the telecommunications industry, biomedical research industries and institutes, banks and insurance companies, state and federal government agencies, and research and academic organisations all over the world.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Actuary;  Banker;  Business Data Analyst;  Commodities or Futures Trader;  Computational Engineer;  Data Analyst;  Economic Researcher;  Financial Analyst;  Meteorologist;  Statistician ...

Degree Structure

Students take courses to the value of 72 units, of which at least 36 units must be mathematical and/or computer sciences courses with at least 12 units of Level III courses. The remaining courses can be taken from computer science, mathematics or statistics and/or from selected courses available in a wide range of other disciplines across the University.

A major is a great way to specialise and pursue topics of interest, without narrowing future career options. Majors are available in: Applied Mathematics; Artificial Intelligence; Computer Science; Cybersecurity; Data and Decision Sciences; Distributed Systems and Networking; Data Science; Pure Mathematics; Statistics. A minor is also available in Public Health.

Students who perform well can undertake an additional year of study to obtain an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences. An honours qualification is highly valued by employers and is a suitable preparation for students who wish to proceed to postgraduate studies. The honours year includes a major project.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences

Areas of Specialisation

Students, through their elective choices, can pursue a major or minor within their Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences. Choosing a major or minor is a great way to pursue topics of interest without narrowing future options.

Majors are available across the following areas:

Applied Mathematics* 
Learn about mathematical theories and work on projects that apply mathematics to solve real-world problems.

Artificial Intelligence
Learn from world-leading researchers in the areas of robotic vision, image recognition and machine learning and gain the knowledge and skills to design, develop and analyse software systems to perform tasks requiring human intelligence.

Cybersecurity
This major equips you with advanced skills in the technologies, processes and practices that protect networks, data and software systems from attack and unauthorised access.

Computer Science

This major covers computer-based solutions to information management and processing issues affecting all industries and commerce, and across the science, entertainment and public sectors.

Data and Decision Sciences

This major equips you with the skills to use data and mathematics to understand the world and inform decisions.

Distributed Systems and Networking
The Distributed Systems and Networking major enables you to focus on the design and optimisation of networks and distributed systems, including: cloud computing; advanced network technologies and large-scale networks

Data Science
This major will give you the knowledge and skills to take, process, visualise and understand data, in order to extract value from it and communicate your findings.

Pure Mathematics*

Study mathematics in its purest form. Delve into the abstract theories built by logical deduction that underpin modern science and technology.

Statistics* 
The Statistics major focuses on the creation, collection, modelling and analysis of data to draw conclusions, inform decision-making, solve problems and direct business development.

A minor is also available in:

Public Health
In the public health minor, you will develop skills in epidemiological and statistical analysis, and interpretation of data, to help understand population health and evaluate public health initiatives.


If you’re interested in broadening your mathematical expertise, you can also choose to study any two of: Applied MathematicsPure Mathematics, or Statistics in any combination (e.g. Applied Mathematics and Statistics) in lieu of a single major.

For more information on the courses on offer within each major please see the Calendar, a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules

Example Study Plan

Core Courses
Students must complete all of the following:

Core Courses, choice of
Students must choose one of the following

Capstone project, choice of
Students must choose one of the following:

  • COMP SCI 3006 Software Engineering & Project
  • COMP SCI 3310 Software Engineering & Project (Artificial Intelligence)
  • COMP SCI 3311 Software Engineering & Project (Data Science)
  • COMP SCI 3312 Software Engineering & Project (Cybersecurity)
  • COMP SCI 3313 Software Engineering & Project (Distributed Systems & Networking)
  • MATHS 3021 Capstone Project in Mathematical Sciences III
Majors/minor, choice of
Students must choose one of the following:
Majors:

  • Applied Mathematics* or;
  • Pure Mathematics* or;
  • Statistics* or;
  • Artificial Intelligence or;
  • Cybersecurity or;
  • Computer Science or;
  • Data and Decision Sciences or;
  • Distributed Systems and Networking or
  • Data Science or;
  • No Major or;
Minor:

  • Public Health

Assessment

Assessment can vary from course to course and can include a combination of class work, tutorials, project work and exams.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023