Take your computing further, taught by the people advancing the field.
Why study postgraduate Computer Science?
Postgraduate Computer Science takes you beyond the fundamentals, building advanced technical expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer graphics and visual computing, data science, information retrieval, software engineering, and systems research. You move from learning how systems work to asking how they could work better, and from following established methods to new thinking.
Postgraduate Computer Science prepares you to lead technical conversations, contribute original ideas, and adapt in a fast-changing digital world. You graduate with confidence in your expertise and clarity about how you want to use it.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate computer science opens up advanced technical roles across almost every sector, from software and technology firms to health, government, finance, and research. The depth you build at this level also positions you for specialist and leadership work, rather than general entry-level development roles.
- Software engineering – designing and building systems for organisations across every sector
- Data science and machine learning – turning complex data into models and decisions organisations can act on
- Cybersecurity – protecting systems, networks, and data in government, finance, and health
- Technical consulting – advising organisations on systems, architecture, and technology decisions
- Research and academia – advancing the field through doctoral study, research roles, or teaching
What it’s like to study at this level
Postgraduate Computer Science at Otago is collaborative and challenging, building advanced knowledge and expertise.
At master's level that expertise opens up in three directions. You can build broad technical grounding across computing, giving you a versatile skill set to take into a wide variety of roles. Alternatively, you can concentrate on one area and take it further, applying it through a substantial project. If research is your focus, you’ll carry out your own investigation under supervision, which is also the route towards doctoral study.
Classes are small, so you have direct contact with academic staff who are researching the areas you are studying. Rather than working through established material, you will test ideas, work through complex systems, and take on problems that do not have settled answers.
If your work calls for it, you will have access to the University's high performance computing resources, used for tasks like simulating large models or processing large volumes of data. You may also work in the School's specialist labs, depending on your area.
This is for you if ...
A strong foundation in Computer Science or a related discipline is required, and you will need a solid grounding in programming to get the most from postgraduate study.
An interest in problem solving, logical thinking, and exploring complex ideas is valuable, along with motivation to work independently and engage deeply with your subject.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Computer Science as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSci)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time (one-semester) or part-time (full-year) study
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Master of Science (Applied) (MSc(Applied))
A coursework postgraduate degree with a research component. The MSc(Applied) can be completed in 12 months or in stages over a longer period.
Master of Science (Coursework) (MSc(Coursework))
The Master of Science (Coursework) is a taught master's, designed to provide an intensive, structured learning experience.
Master of Science (Thesis) (MSc(Thesis))
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options. The MSc(Thesis) may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
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Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Computer Science or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Computer Science must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Computer Science prior to undertaking the thesis. |
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
COMP papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMP101 | 2026 | Foundations of Information Systems | 18 points | Summer School |
| COMP121 | 2026, 2027 | Computer Programming | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| COMP122 | 2026, 2027 | Foundations of Computer Science | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 2 |
| COMP210 | 2026 | Information Assurance | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COMP220 | 2027 | Applied Programming Techniques | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COMP221 | 2027 | Algorithms and Data Structures | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COMP222 | 2027 | User-Centred Software Design | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COMP223 | 2027 | Software Development | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COMP224 | 2027 | Computer Systems | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COMP225 | 2027 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COMP226 | 2027 | Information Assurance | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COMP421 | 2026, 2027 | Machine Learning and Data Mining | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| COMP422 | 2027 | Applied Artificial Intelligence | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| COMP423 | 2026, 2027 | Deep Learning | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| COMP424 | 2026, 2027 | Information Retrieval and Natural Language Processing | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| COMP425 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Visual Computing | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| COMP427 | 2026, 2027 | Agent-based Software Technologies | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| COMP480 | 2026, 2027 | Applied Project | 40 points | Full Year |
| COMP490 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
| DATA101 | 2026, 2027 | Data Processing and Visualisation | 18 points | Semester 1, 1st Non standard period (15 November 2027 - 18 December 2027) |
| DATA201 | 2027 | R for Statistics and Data Science | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| DATA202 | 2027 | Database Systems | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| DATA403 | 2026, 2027 | Data Management | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| DATA404 | 2026, 2027 | Management of Large-Scale Data | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| DATA490 | 2027 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
COSC papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSC201 | 2026 | Algorithms and Data Structures | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC202 | 2026 | Software Development | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC203 | 2026 | Web, Databases, and Networks | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC204 | 2026 | Computer Systems | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC301 | 2026, 2027 | Network Management and Security | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC312 | 2026, 2027 | Cryptography and Security | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC326 | 2026, 2027 | Computational Problem Solving | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC341 | 2026, 2027 | Theory of Computing | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC342 | 2026, 2027 | Visual Computing: Graphics & Vision | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC343 | 2026, 2027 | Artificial Intelligence | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC344 | 2026, 2027 | Database Theory and Applications | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| COSC345 | 2026, 2027 | Software Engineering | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC349 | 2026, 2027 | Cloud Computing Architecture | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC360 | 2026, 2027 | Computer Game Design | 18 points | Summer School |
| COSC385 | 2026, 2027 | Research Project | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| COSC402 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Computer Networks | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| COSC412 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Cryptography and Security | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC440 | 2027 | Advanced Operating Systems | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| COSC470 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| COSC471 | 2026, 2027 | Approved Special Paper | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
Contacts
School of Computing
Email computing@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/school-of-computing
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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