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    Why study Computer Science?

    Computer Science forms the basis for all information technology, and computing now underpins almost every element of our society. Whether you're interested in artificial intelligence, computer animation, gaming, software design or robotics, studying Computer Science at Otago will give you the expertise to thrive in a constantly evolving technological world.

    Computer Science is fundamentally about learning to analyse, design and implement computer algorithms and systems. You'll gain practical programming skills in industry-standard languages alongside transferable skills that enable you to be part of dynamic tech teams.

    At Otago, we cover all core areas of Computer Science and actively research at the cutting-edge in diverse fields including artificial intelligence, computer graphics and vision, distributed computing, databases, search, biological data science and theory. This means you're learning from academics who are advancing the field, not just teaching established knowledge.

    What makes Computer Science particularly valuable is its versatility. A major in Computer Science opens doors across numerous sectors, from technical fields like machine learning and robotics through to careers in legal, financial and business environments. A minor in Computer Science proves invaluable when combined with any other degree. This technical expertise will fundamentally change how you approach your chosen field.

    Computer scientists enjoy strong global demand and excellent salaries. With technologies changing rapidly, there's always something new and exciting to learn, making this a challenging and rewarding career perfect for those who enjoy problem-solving and logical thinking.

    Career opportunities

    • Game design and development – Create computer games and interactive entertainment
    • CGI movie production – Create computer-generated imagery for films and media
    • Automotive software development – Develop software for driverless vehicles and Formula 1 racing cars
    • Medical informatics – Apply computing expertise to healthcare and medical research
    • High-performance computing – Program advanced computer systems and supercomputers
    • Systems analysts – Analyse and improve computer systems for organisations
    • Network managers – Oversee and maintain computer networks and infrastructure
    • Consultants and advisers – Provide technical expertise to businesses and organisations
    • Entrepreneur – Start technology-based businesses and ventures
    • Research and academia – Advance computer science through research and education

    How you will learn

    Learning Computer Science at Otago combines hands-on experience with cutting-edge research. You'll work in well-equipped computing labs with modern technology, gaining practical experience alongside your theoretical studies. Our specialised Human-Computer Interaction lab lets you explore emerging technologies like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and mixed reality – giving you access to the same tools that are shaping the future of computing.

    You'll develop both programming skills in industry-standard languages and the analytical thinking needed to tackle complex problems. The learning approach emphasises understanding how to design and implement computer algorithms and systems, preparing you for the diverse challenges in the computing field.

    What makes learning at Otago exciting is the connection to real research. Our academics are actively advancing areas like artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and biological data science. This means you'll learn established foundations while exploring the cutting-edge research that's shaping technology's future.

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    No special requirements or prerequisites – we welcome students from all backgrounds. Taking Digital Technology for NCEA is useful preparation, and NCEA Level 3 Mathematics (preferably Calculus) helps develop the analytical thinking skills that are valuable in Computer Science. Most importantly, bring curiosity and enthusiasm for problem-solving.

    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.

    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.

    Thrive in an evolving technological world

    Computer Science at Otago opens doors to an impressive range of possibilities. Our graduates have contributed to NASA's Mars rover programme, co-founded CloudCannon (a globally-used web platform), established successful game studios, and pioneered aerial mapping technology.

    At Otago, you'll study all core areas of Computer Science whilst engaging with cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, computer graphics, distributed computing, and more. Our specialised facilities include labs for Human-Computer Interaction research, supporting work in Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and mixed-reality technologies.

    With a worldwide shortage of IT professionals, Computer Science graduates enjoy excellent career prospects and salaries globally. Whether you're drawn to problem-solving, fascinated by how complex systems work, or curious about the foundations that underpin all information technology, Computer Science at Otago provides the expertise to thrive in this constantly evolving technological world.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    2025

    LevelPapersPoints
    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

    2026 onwards

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level COMP 121 Computer Programming 18
    COMP 122 Foundations of Computer Science 18
    DHUM 101 Socially Responsible Computing 18
    One of MATH 120, MATH 130, MATH 140, COMO 101, STAT 110 , STAT 115, BSNS 112 or an approved alternative 18
    200-level COMP 221 Agorithms and Data Structures 18
    COMP 223 Software Development 18
    COMP 224 Computer Systems 18
    One further 200-level COMP, DATA, DHUM, or SENG paper 18
    300-level Two 300-level COMP papers and two further papers from 300-level COMP, DATA, DHUM, or SENG 72
    Plus 144 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above.

    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts.

    Notes:
    (i) Students are exempt from COMP 121 if they have gained entry to COMP 122 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.     		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.

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level COMP 121 Computer Programming 18
    COMP 122 Foundations of Computer Science 18
    DHUM 101 Socially Responsible Computing 18
    One of MATH 120, MATH 130, MATH 140, COMO 101, STAT 110 , STAT 115, BSNS 112 or an approved alternative 18
    200-level COMP 221 Algorithms and Data Structures 18
    COMP 223 Software Development 18
    COMP 224 Computer Systems 18
    One further 200-level COMP, DATA, DHUM, or SENG paper 18
    300-level Two 300-level COMP papers and two further papers from 300-level COMP, DATA, DHUM, or SENG 72
    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 121 if they have gained entry to COMP 122 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.     		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

    2025

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level

    COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science

    One of:
    COMP 101 Foundations of Information Systems
    COMP 151 Programming for Scientists
    COMP 161 Computer Programming

    Note: COMP 161 is usually required as a prerequisite for COMP 162, but is not necessary for students who have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test.

    18

    18

    200-level

    One of:
    COSC 201 Algorithms and Data Structures
    COSC 202 Software Development
    COSC 203 Web, Databases, and Networks
    COSC 204 Computer Systems

    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

    2026 onwards

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level

    COMP 122 Foundations of Computer Science

    One of:
    COMP 121 Computer Programming
    DATA 101 Data Processing and Visualisation
    DHUM  101 Computing and Society

    Note: COMP 121 is usually required as a prerequisite for COMP 122, but is not necessary for students who have gained entry to COMP 122 via an Advanced Placement Test.

    18

    18

    200-level

    One 200-level COMP paper

    18

    300-level One 300-level COMP or SENG paper 18
    Plus One further COMP, DATA, DHUM, or SENG paper at 200- or 300-level 18
    Total   90

    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 Computer Programming 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    COMP122 2026 Foundations of Computer Science 18 points Summer School, Semester 2
    COMP210 2026 Information Assurance 18 points Semester 2
    COMP421 2026 Machine Learning and Data Mining 20 points Semester 2
    COMP422 2026 Applied Artificial Intelligence 20 points Semester 2
    COMP423 2026 Deep Learning 20 points Semester 1
    COMP424 2026 Information Retrieval and Natural Language Processing 20 points Semester 1
    COMP425 2026 Advanced Visual Computing 20 points Semester 1
    COMP427 2026 Agent-based Software Technologies 20 points Semester 2
    COMP480 2026 Applied Project 40 points Full Year
    COMP490 2026 Dissertation 40 points Full Year
    DATA101 2026 Data Processing and Visualisation 18 points Semester 1
    DATA403 2026 Data Management 20 points Semester 1
    DATA404 2026 Management of Large-Scale Data 20 points Semester 1

    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 Network Management and Security 18 points Semester 1
    COSC312 2026 Cryptography and Security 18 points Semester 2
    COSC326 2026 Computational Problem Solving 18 points Semester 1
    COSC341 2026 Theory of Computing 18 points Semester 1
    COSC342 2026 Visual Computing: Graphics & Vision 18 points Semester 1
    COSC343 2026 Artificial Intelligence 18 points Semester 2
    COSC344 2026 Database Theory and Applications 18 points Semester 1
    COSC345 2026 Software Engineering 18 points Semester 2
    COSC349 2026 Cloud Computing Architecture 18 points Semester 2
    COSC360 2026 Computer Game Design 18 points Summer School
    COSC385 2026 Research Project 18 points Summer School, Semester 1, Semester 2
    COSC402 2026 Advanced Computer Networks 20 points Semester 2
    COSC412 2026 Advanced Cryptography and Security 20 points Semester 2
    COSC440 2026 Advanced Operating Systems 20 points Semester 2
    COSC470 2026 Special Topic 20 points Not offered in 2026
    COSC471 2026 Approved Special Paper 20 points Not offered in 2026

    More information

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    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.

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