CHART A COURSE

IT course with all-round skills

Course Bachelor of science in IT/diploma of IT professional practice.

With almost a perpetual shortage of IT staff in Australia, work abounds. Often, IT undergrads need to choose their majors early on, but not so here. Students choose their major in second year and the structure is flexible, so they can do up to one-third of their degree outside IT in subjects such as communications, engineering, education or law.

"The degree structure not only focuses on the business and technical skills of IT such as systems, problem solving, design, abstraction and modelling but also the soft skills of self-management, communications, teamwork and global perspectives," says the director of undergraduate programs (IT) at the University of Technology, Sydney, Chris Wong.

A nine-month internship in third year (for an additional diploma qualification) allows most students to find full-time work before completion.

Duration Four years (three years' coursework plus minimum nine months for paid internship).

Time About 12 hours a week in class, plus self-study.

Where University of Technology, Sydney.

When Intakes in autumn and spring semesters.

Link it.uts.edu.au.