Career opportunities
There is currently a worldwide shortage of IT professionals and they are in high demand in New Zealand, Australia, the USA and the UK.
You will find Otago Computer Science graduates at work worldwide in every aspect of commerce, government, education, research and media in a variety of interesting roles: programmers, software engineers, systems analysts, network managers, consultants and advisers, web programmers, interface designers and database administrators.
Some of our recent graduates have exciting careers: making CGI movies, developing software for driverless vehicles, writing control software for Formula 1 racing cars, designing computer games, and programming the latest high-performance computers. Others are working in medical informatics, as an entrepreneur, as a weapons engineering officer in the Navy, as a database analyst, and as a patent attorney.
Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study
There are no special requirements or prerequisites, but taking Digital Technology for NCEA is useful. For students wishing to major in Computer Science, NCEA Level 3 Mathematics (preferably Calculus) would be helpful.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Science along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
Combine two majors, one in Commerce and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Computer Science
Explore postgraduate study in Computer Science at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in ...
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Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | COMP 101 Foundations of Information Systems | 18 |
| COMP 161 Computer Programming | 18 | |
| COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science | 18 | |
| One of MATH 120, MATH 130, MATH 140, COMO 101, STAT 110, STAT 115, BSNS 112 , FINC 102, or an approved alternative | 18 | |
| 200-level | COSC 201 Algorithms and Data Structures | 18 |
| COSC 202 Software Development | 18 | |
| COSC 203 Web, Databases, and Networks | 18 | |
| COSC 204 Computer Systems | 18 | |
| 300-level |
One of: COSC 326 Computational Problem Solving COSC 345 Software Engineering COSC 360 Computer Game Design | 18 |
| Three further 300-level COSC papers | 54 | |
| Plus | 144 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. | 144 |
| Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts. | ||
| Notes: (i) Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test. (ii) Students who have passed at least one of MATH 120, 130, 140, COMO 101, STAT 110, 115, BSNS 112, or FINC 102 as part of another subject's requirements do not need to pass another one of these papers to fulfil the Computer Science requirements. | ||
| Total | 360 |
For students who entered the programme prior to 2021, please contact the School of Computing for advice regarding programme requirements or refer to the 2020 University of Otago Calendar or 2020 Guide to Enrolment.
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | COMP 101 Foundation of Information Systems | 18 |
| COMP 161 Computer Programming | 18 | |
| COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science | 18 | |
| One of MATH 120, MATH 130, MATH 140, COMO 101, STAT 110, STAT 115, BSNS 112, FINC 102, or an approved alternative | 18 | |
| 200-level | COSC 201 Algorithms and Data Structures | 18 |
| COSC 202 Software Development | 18 | |
| COSC 203 Web, Databases, and Networks | 18 | |
| COSC 204 Computer Systems | 18 | |
| 300-level | One of: COSC 326 Computational Problem Solving COSC 345 Software Engineering COSC 360 Computer Game Design | 18 |
| Three further 300-level COSC papers | 54 | |
| Plus | 144 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Notes: (i) Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test. (ii) Students who have passed at least one of MATH 120, 130, 140, COMO 101, STAT 110, 115, BSNS 112, or FINC 102 as part of another subject's requirements do not need to pass another one of these papers to fulfil the Computer Science requirements. (iii) The Computer Science curriculum is being refreshed. Students commencing from 2021 will complete their studies following these regulations, but information is not currently available for all of the papers listed. Please contact the Department of Computer Science for further details. Existing Computer Science students will have different regulation requirements and should seek course advice. | 144 |
| Total | 360 |
For students who entered the programme prior to 2021, please contact the School of Computing for advice regarding programme requirements or refer to the 2020 University of Otago Calendar or 2020 Guide to Enrolment.
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science One of: | 18 18 |
| 200-level | One of: | 18 |
| 300-level | One of COSC 301-385 | 18 |
| Plus | One further paper from COSC 201, COSC 202, COSC 203, COSC 204, COSC 301-385 | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
COMP papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMP101 | 2025 | Foundations of Information Systems | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 2 |
| COMP111 | 2025 | Information and Communications Technology | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| COMP120 | 2025 | Practical Data Science | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COMP151 | 2025 | Programming for Scientists | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COMP161 | 2025 | Computer Programming | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| COMP162 | 2025 | Foundations of Computer Science | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 2 |
| COMP210 | 2025 | Information Assurance | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COMP270 | 2025 | ICT Fundamentals | 15 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| COMP371 | 2025 | ICT Studio 1 | 15 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| COMP372 | 2025 | ICT Studio 2 | 15 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| COMP373 | 2025 | ICT Studio 3 | 15 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| COMP390 | 2025 | ICT Industry Project | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
COSC papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSC201 | 2025 | Algorithms and Data Structures | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC202 | 2025 | Software Development | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC203 | 2025 | Web, Databases, and Networks | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC204 | 2025 | Computer Systems | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC301 | 2025 | Network Management and Security | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC312 | 2025 | Cryptography and Security | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC326 | 2025 | Computational Problem Solving | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC341 | 2025 | Theory of Computing | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC342 | 2025 | Visual Computing: Graphics & Vision | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC343 | 2025 | Artificial Intelligence | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC344 | 2025 | Database Theory and Applications | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC345 | 2025 | Software Engineering | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC349 | 2025 | Cloud Computing Architecture | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC360 | 2025 | Computer Game Design | 18 points | Summer School |
| COSC385 | 2025 | Research Project | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| COSC402 | 2025 | Advanced Computer Networks | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC412 | 2025 | Advanced Cryptography and Security | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC420 | 2025 | Deep Learning | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC431 | 2025 | Information Retrieval | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC440 | 2025 | Advanced Operating Systems | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC444 | 2025 | Advanced Database Technologies | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC450 | 2025 | Computer Vision and Graphics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC470 | 2025 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| COSC471 | 2025 | Approved Special Paper | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| COSC480 | 2025 | Applied Project | 40 points | Full Year |
| COSC490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
More information
Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams
Want to connect with a real person and get some advice? Find your Schools' Liaison officer, chat with our International team in New Zealand or your own country, or submit a question through our online form.
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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