NZ · Master's
University of Auckland
Master of Computer Science
University of Auckland
Course Overview
The Master of Computer Science at the University of Auckland is a one-year, 180-point taught program in the Faculty of Science. It is built for graduates who already hold a CS or closely related bachelor's degree and want to specialise in machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, computer vision or theoretical CS through advanced coursework and a 60-point research dissertation.
Auckland is the country's anchor tech hub — Xero, Datacom, Vista, Soul Machines and the Microsoft New Zealand engineering office all recruit directly from the Faculty. Sri Lankan applicants commonly use this degree as a route into a NZ tech role under the 3-year Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV), with Software Engineer on the Green List for fast-tracked residency.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT or a closely related discipline with a B+ average (GPA 6.0/9.0 — Sri Lankan Second Upper Class).
- check_circle Strong grounding in programming, data structures, algorithms and discrete maths.
- check_circle Personal statement covering specialisation interest and dissertation topic direction.
- check_circle Two academic references; portfolio of project work helps for applied specialisations.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (no band below 6.0).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall (min 21 in Writing).
- check_circle PTE Academic: 58 Overall (min 50 in each band).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (NZD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (12 months) | NZD 58,000 | Rs. 11,020,000 |
| Student Services Fee | NZD 1,133 | Rs. 215,300 |
| Living Expenses (12 months) | NZD 20,000 | Rs. 3,800,000 |
| Student Visa & Insurance | NZD 1,400 | Rs. 266,000 |
| Total Programme Investment | NZD 80,533 | Rs. 15,301,300 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Software Engineer and Data Scientist roles sit on the Green List (Tier 1) for fast-tracked residency. Recent Auckland CS Master's graduates have placed at Xero, Datacom, Soul Machines, Vista Group, ANZ Bank tech and the Auckland offices of Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. Median starting salary sits around NZD 80,000.
Related Programs
Master of Information Sciences (MIS)
Massey University
Master of Information Studies (MIS)
Victoria University of Wellington (Te Herenga Waka)
MSc in Computer Science
University of Otago (School of Computing)
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