Overview
Challenging careers in software development
Massey provides you with the technical skills and knowledge to take your place in the fastest growing industry in the world. Link with industry while you study to get a head start in software development.
Level
- Undergraduate, NZQF Level 7
Campus
- Auckland, Manawatū
Distance learning
- Available
Duration
- 3 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
International
- Available for international students studying in NZ or via distance learning
Massey’s Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) will give you the applied skills and knowledge to become a sought-after ICT professional, able to take on a wide variety of roles in the software industry.
Applied and technical knowledge
Massey teaches students the applied skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Massey is the only university in New Zealand specialising in the C and C++ programming languages that are highly sought after by employers. You’ll also learn Java, Python, SQL and other languages. Every computer science course includes practical assignments.
Join the real world of software development
Massey has close ties with the innovative and rapidly expanding software companies based in North Auckland. These companies offer opportunities for internships, industry projects, holiday work and possible employment offers. You’ll also be involved in creating websites and applications for charities and voluntary organisations.
What you will learn
The Computer Science major focuses on hardware, software, algorithms and programming. You will learn how computer systems work and how to create efficient algorithms to solve challenging problems. You will learn several programming languages and gain the skills and experience to confidently start a career in software development. Topics on offer include:
- data structures and algorithms
- embedded programming
- object-oriented programming
- computer graphics
- games programming
- machine learning
- concurrent programming
- web applications
- computer networking
- mobile applications.
Careers and further study
Careers
Computer Science graduates can take up challenging and rewarding roles across a wide range of organisations, ranging from government departments through research facilities to private enterprise.
In demand
There are a huge number of job opportunities in this area worldwide. Look at the SEEK website to see the strong and ongoing demand for ICT professionals in New Zealand. High demand areas include software development and programming, business analysis, project management and software testing. Graduates with a Computer Science major are well equipped to move into careers such as:
- software architect
- software developmer
- applications programmer
- systems programmer
- network administration and support
- business analyst
- project manager
- independent consultant
Further study
Once you graduate you can move on to advanced study in the Postgraduate Diploma in Information Sciences (one year of 120 credits in taught courses) or the Master of Information Sciences (180 credits including 120 credits of taught courses and a major professional project).
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
There are no specific entry requirements for this programme, outside of university admission regulations.
Previous programming experience is not required.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
Pathway tool
If you are unsure whether you have the right background/subjects to study this programme, our tool will help you to figure out what you might need to do before starting your qualification.
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
- English Language Proficiency
- Foundation Certificate in Academic English
- Foundation Certificate in Advanced Academic English
- Full Foundation - Certificate in Foundation Studies
Summer School
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
360 credits
- Core courses – 90 credits
- Major courses – 120 credits
- Electives from the Schedule – 30 credits
- Other electives – 120 credits
Ensure that overall, you have:
- Not more than 165 credits at 100 level
- At least 75 credits at 300 level
You could replace some electives with a minor.
Courses for this specialisation
200-level courses
| 60 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 158256 | Web Application Design | 15 |
| 159201 | Algorithms and Data Structures | 15 |
| 159202 | Declarative Programming | 15 |
| 159234 | Object-Oriented Programming | 15 |
| 159236 | Embedded Programming | 15 |
| 159251 | Software Engineering Design and Construction | 15 |
| 159271 | Computational Thinking for Problem Solving | 15 |
| 159272 | Programming Paradigms | 15 |
300-level courses
| 60 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 159336 | Mobile Application Development | 15 |
| 159339 | Internet Programming | 15 |
| 159341 | Programming Languages, Algorithms and Concurrency | 15 |
| 159342 | Operating Systems and Networks | 15 |
| 159352 | Advanced Web Development | 15 |
| 159355 | Concurrent Systems | 15 |
| 159360 | Programming for Computer Graphics | 15 |
| 161312 | Statistical Machine Learning | 15 |
Planning your programme
Planning overview
This is a guide only.
First year for a full-time student usually consists of eight courses. Take electives (or courses from other majors) to get the total number of courses to eight. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
You can change your major up until the start of your second year and it is a good idea to keep your options open by taking courses such that you are ready to move on to several different majors. In the first year of study, you should take the following courses:
- 159.101 Technical Programming 1
- 159.102 Technical Programming 2 or 159.172 Computational Thinking and Programming 2
- At least one mathematics course – one or more of 160.105, 160.101, 160.102. Note: you can also take 160.104 as an elective in your degree but you require at least 160.105 for the major.
- At least one statistics course – one of 161.111 or 161.122
- 247.112 Science and Sustainability for ICT (or another Science and Sustainability course)
- Also take some elective courses and the following are recommended:
See Courses for this programme for the required courses at 200-level and 300-level.
Minors
Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major.
A Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) with a minor
You may choose a minor from any University undergraduate degree that has recognised minors. If the minor is from another undergraduate degree, the regulations of that programme will apply.
A Computer Science minor (for students who are studying a different degree)
If you are not studying towards a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) and wish to complete a minor in Computer Science see the regulations for the requirements of this minor.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student homepage login
A good fit if you:
- would like to develop new software applications
- enjoy breaking a complex problem down into its constituent parts
- are interested in topics such as graphics, games, artificial intelligence and programming.
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Undergraduate programmes
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
About electives
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
If you started the BSc programme before 2020 you may be completing the programme under the previous regulations, which are listed in Schedule C in the Regulations for this programme.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
Scholarships related to this programme
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.