The different postgraduate programs assume different levels of
computing experience. This is detailed in the descriptions of
the individual programs. In this page, we outline the generic
skills that we assume all students entering CSE postgraduate
coursework programs will possess.
CSE programs are very demanding. If you lack any of these skills
you will have great difficulty completing the programs.
- English
-
The ability to communicate in English is a very important skill
for IT professionals. It is not sufficient to be simply
an excellent programmer; you need to write documentation, liaise
with clients, produce specifications, etc. All of these tasks
require a high level of English proficiency.
Similarly, studying postgraduate computing in CSE requires the ability
to comunicate effectively in English, to understand lectures, to read
software specifications, to present project work, and so on.
The specific English pre-requisites for CSE postgraduate coursework programs:
- TOEFL: Minimum Acceptable Score: 550
- IELTS: Minimum Acceptable Overall Score: 6.0
plus minimum subtest scores of 6.0 for each of
listening, reading, writing, speaking
- CULT: Minimum Acceptable Score: 65%
- UEEC: Minimum Acceptable Score: C (grade point = 6.5)
- Mathematics
-
Discrete mathematics forms the underpinning theory for computer
science and engineering.
However, specific knowledge of discrete mathematics is not
strictly necessary before studying CSE courses.
The most important skill is the more general skill of formal
reasoning, which can be acquired via most technical degrees,
and certainly via any tertiary-level mathematics study.
- Well-developed Study Skills
-
During the course of studying for a CSE postgraduate program,
students will be exposed to very many new concepts, and will
be expcted to absorb and apply these concepts in a short
time-frame.
We assume that anyone who meets the academic entry criteria
for a CSE postgraduate program has already developed these
skills in their undergraduate degree.
The specific academic entry requirements:
- admission to a Masters program requires a distinction-level average
over the last two years of a 4-year undergraduate degree
program
- admission to a Graduate Diploma requires a high credit-level average
over the last two years of a 3 or 4-year undergraduate degree