Master of Software Engineering

Transform future business, health and communication with the Master of Software Engineering at Australia’s leading university.* Learn best practice for every stage of the software development cycle from design and engineering to deployment.

^{* Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025}

Choose your path

Once you’ve started studying, you can specialise in ‘Artificial Intelligence’, ‘Business’, ‘Cyber Security’, ‘Distributed Computing’ or ‘Human Computer Interaction’. You can also continue without specialising.

Learn from world leading experts

Be guided by leading software experts in developing the technical expertise and skills required to implement a wide range of software engineering solutions.

Industry aligned curriculum

As a software engineering student, you’ll tackle large-scale, real-world software design and development projects. Collaborate with IT professionals in a year-long industry project, preparing you for a successful career in software engineering.

Guaranteed Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) for Melbourne graduates

Domestic students who have completed a Bachelor degree at the University of Melbourne with a weighted average mark of 65% are guaranteed a CSP in the Master of Software Engineering. Find out more about fees and scholarships.

Exploring the differences between our IT courses?

Visit our article for more information

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• English language test score requirements

• If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

  IELTS

  6.5

  ---

  with no band less than 6.0

  TOEFL

  79+

  ---

  with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

  PEARSON

  64+

  ---

  with no communicative skill below 60

  CAMBRIDGE

  176+

  ---

  with no skill less than 169

  *Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

About selection