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Bachelor of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence and Big Data)
Duration
3 Years Bachelor Degree
(24 subjects)
4 Years Bachelor Degree
with Integrated Freshman Year (32 subjects)
Classes commence
September (Autumn) |
January (Winter) |
April (Spring) |
Yearly Fees*
AED 60,429 / USD 16,466
*VAT 5% inclusive
Note: Yearly fees will vary depending
on number of subjects enrolled in
In an era defined by digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data stand as the twin pillars driving the fourth industrial revolution. These technologies are reshaping industries, revolutionizing businesses, and solving some of the world's most pressing challenges. From enhancing productivity and efficiency to unlocking groundbreaking innovations, AI and Big Data are transforming how we work, live, and connect.
The Bachelor of Computer Science (AI and Big Data) program at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) is designed to meet the surging demand for professionals with advanced AI and data analytics skills. This program bridges the gap between technology and application, equipping students with the expertise needed to thrive in a digitally transformed world. By synthesizing cutting-edge concepts from AI and Big Data, students will learn to harness the power of these complementary disciplines to develop innovative solutions for global challenges across industries such as healthcare, transportation, security, and commerce.
Why Choose This Program?
AI empowers machines to learn from past experiences, enabling business automation, reducing costs, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing customer experiences. Simultaneously, Big Data addresses the challenge of managing vast and complex datasets, providing actionable insights for strategic decision-making. Together, these fields form a powerful synergy, enabling students to tackle complex problems through data-driven and AI-enabled solutions.
This degree offers a future-focused curriculum designed to develop creative, analytical minds capable of unlocking the full potential of AI and Big Data. Whether it's designing predictive models, implementing intelligent algorithms, or visualizing massive datasets, students will gain hands-on experience with the tools and techniques shaping tomorrow's innovations.
Program Objectives
By pursuing the AI and Big Data major, students will:
- Master Core Concepts: Develop a deep understanding of AI and Big Data principles and their intersection.
- Solve Real-World Problems: Acquire skills to design and implement AI-enabled, data-driven solutions that address complex challenges.
- Drive Innovation: Learn to use cutting-edge tools and techniques to develop solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.
- Lead with Ethics and Collaboration: Adopt a professional approach to problem-solving, with a focus on teamwork, ethical decision-making, and effective communication.
With a strong focus on employability, innovation, and societal impact, the AI and Big Data major prepares students to lead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, where their skills will be in demand across sectors worldwide.
Students who have excelled academically at school and meet our advance entry requirements can finish their bachelor's degree in three years, instead of the existing four-year programs. Any prospective student that does not directly qualify for an advance entry three-year program, is still able to enrol in any of our bachelor’s degree, through a one-year Freshman Year.
Admission requirements for UOWD depends on the type of high school curriculum you have followed. The requirements based on the most common high school curricula are listed below:
School System | Bachelor Degree Advanced Entry (3 Years) |
Bachelor Degree Direct Entry (4 Years) |
---|---|---|
UAE Al-Thanawiyya Al-Aama |
N/A | Elite or Advanced Track 70%, General Track 75% |
Arab Countries Al-Thanawiyyah Al-Aama |
N/A | 70% |
American High School Diploma | Overall average grade of C (70% or 2.5/4.0) + SAT 1100 |
Overall average grade of C (70% or 2.5/4.0) |
Bangladesh HSC |
GPA of 4.0 / 5.0 | GPA of 3.0 / 5.0 |
Brazil Brazil Higher Secondary Certificate |
N/A | 60% |
British GCE Curriculum | Minimum 5 IGCSE/GCSE subjects – Grade D and Minimum of 3 A level subjects – Grade CCD Completion of Year 13 |
Minimum 5 IGCSE/GCSE subjects – Grade D and 2 AS or 1 A level subject (s) – Grade D Completion of Year 13 |
Chinese Senior High School | 80% | 60% |
Colombia Título de Bachiller Académico |
N/A | 3 out of 5 or 6 out of 10 |
International Baccalaureate Diploma | 25 Points | 21 Points |
India CBSE & ICSE, Grade 12 |
65% | 50% |
Iran Pre-University Certificate |
14 | 11 |
Japan Upper Secondary School Diploma |
3.8 out of 5 | 2.5 out of 5 |
Kenya | 60 | 31 |
Mexico | N/A | 6 out of 10 |
Nepal School Leaving Certificate Examination |
3 out of 4 | 2.3 out of 4 |
Nigeria WAEC & NECO |
N/A | Minimum of 7 subjects with no more than 1 “Pass” |
CIS Countries Attestat |
N/A | Average 3/5 |
South Korea CSAT |
77.5% | 70% |
Notes:
- All students applying for these programs are required to have an EmSAT in Mathematics with a score of 700 or equivalent.
- Students with qualifications from other curriculum should contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions department at UOWD to determine their eligibility.
- All students applying from non UAE MoE curriculum must provide an equivalency of their Secondary School Certificate from the Ministry of Education, UAE; stating the completion of Grade 12.
- A student who does not satisfy the criteria for Equivalency of Secondary School Certificate, may be subject to conditional admission, based on receiving a Letter of No Objection to Conditional Admission issued by the Ministry.
At UOWD, all classes are taught in English and in order to enrol in a bachelor’s degree you will need to submit one of the following certificate of English language proficiency:
English Language Testing | Bachelor Degree Advance Entry (3 Years)* |
Bachelor Degree Direct Entry (4 Years)** |
---|---|---|
IELTS Academic |
Overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 & Minimum score of 6.0 in Reading & Writing Minimum score of 5.0 inListening & Speaking |
Overall IELTS (Academic) score of 5.0 & Minimum score of 5.0 in Reading & Writing |
TOEFL Internet-based |
79 with not less than 20 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 16 in Speaking |
61 |
TOEFL Computer based |
213 with a 4.0 TWE/Essay Writing |
173 |
TOEFL*** International paper based |
550 with a 4.0 TWE/Essay Writing |
500 |
EmSAT Achieve – English |
1400 | 1100 |
Notes:
* Students with a minimum overall score of 6.0 in academic IELTS and no more than one score (either in reading or writing) between 5.0 and 6.0 will be given the opportunity to complete a remedial subject in the first semester as a condition for progression.
** Students with a minimum overall score of 6.0 in academic IELTS (or equivalent) and a minimum score of 6.0 in reading and writing(or equivalent) are eligible for advanced standing for English Language subjects.
*** Students admitted under this criterion must complete the test at AMIDEAST.
If you are seeking advanced standing status, please submit an official academic transcript showing all courses studied and the grades achieved, syllabus details (including information on course content) for the courses you have completed and an explanation of the grading system.
To make an application for your chosen program, complete the online application form and submit it along with all your supporting documentation (see below) prior to the application deadline.
Late applications may be accepted subject to the availability of places but applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Please ensure that all these documents accompany your application for admission form submittal:
- An original or certified copy of your secondary school records
- A Statement or Certificate of Completion of secondary school
- Proof of your English language proficiency
(Note: Results from IELTS & TOEFL tests may be sent to the University directly from the IELTS or TOEFL testing centres quoting the UOWD institution code IELTS: AE109 / TOEFL: 7907)
- UAE ID (if applying from within the UAE)
- A copy of your passport (and Residence Visa, if resident in the UAE).
Additionally, if you are seeking advance standing in your chosen program:
- Certified copies of official academic transcripts showing all courses studied and grades obtained, syllabus details (including information on course content) of the courses you successfully completed and an explanation of the grading system.
All applicants for admission who have completed the Thanaweya Al-Amma must get their certificates attested by the UAE Ministry of Education.
Applicants from all other curriculum, who have completed their high school from UAE, are required to obtain equivalency of their high school qualifications from the UAE Ministry of Education.
In these circumstances, you will be provisionally admitted to the University and permitted to commence the first semester of study, subject to you obtaining the required attestation/equivalency.
You must have your secondary school records and Certificates of Completion certified by:
- The issuing Board of Secondary Education OR a recognised authority for secondary education
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the host country
- The UAE Embassy in that host country OR the Embassy of the host country in UAE must attest the authenticity of the documents and attestations and the UAE ministry of Foreign Affairs
In special cases where complying with conditions (2) and (3) are not feasible, the certificates may be verified against originals by Embassies in the UAE and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In these circumstances, you will be provisionally admitted to the University and permitted to commence the first semester of study.
If you are unable to secure the attestations as outlined above you will be asked to sign a “Consent to Provide Documents” form agreeing to secure the equivalency. You will be permitted to commence your studies at UOWD, but will be given a maximum of one semester to obtain the attested certificate(s). UOWD reserves the right to take appropriate action against any applicant who cannot secure the appropriate documentation in this time, which may result in the termination of the student’s enrolment at UOWD.
For more information or assistance on attesting documents from outside UAE, click here.
Program Structure
To earn a Bachelor of Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data major degree at UOWD, students must complete a total of 144 credit points (CP), including 14 core subjects (84 CPs), 5 specialisation subjects in data science (30 CPs), 2 elective subjects (12 CPs) – to be selected from the list of offered electives, 1 general education subject from the Emirati studies category (6 CPs), and a capstone project in AI & Big Data (12 CPs).
Core Subjects
General Elective Subject
Students are required to choose an additional ONE elective subject, each worth 6 credit points, from the school's approved list.
Core Subjects
This subject develops a thorough understanding of advanced programming features, and how to implement them in modern C++. It consists of three primary components, namely procedural programming, object-based/object-oriented programming, and generic programming. In addition to the core of each of those components, this subject addresses topics including resource management tied to RAII, in particular the management of dynamic memory; the use of the standard template library; profiling and debugging; programming for efficiency including concepts such as moving; exception handling; C++ RTTI; and recent additions to C++.
Java Programming
This subject develops a thorough understanding of advanced programming features, and how to implement them in modern C++. It consists of three primary components, namely procedural programming, object-based/object-oriented programming, and generic programming. In addition to the core of each of those components, this subject addresses topics including resource management tied to RAII, in particular the management of dynamic memory; the use of the standard template library; profiling and debugging; programming for efficiency including concepts such as moving; exception handling; C++ RTTI; and recent additions to C++.
Major Subjects
Core Subject
Major Subjects
Capstone
General Elective Subjects
Students are required to choose an additional TWO elective subjects, each worth 6 credit points, from the school's approved list.
- Module 1: Design Thinking
- Module 2: Entrepreneurship
- Module 3: Growth and Leadership
* Highly Recommended Elective Subject
Choose One Emarati Studies*
* Students must complete 6 credit points (cp) of General Education subjects in the area of Emirati Studies as part of the 144 cp.
Note: If you enrolled at the University before Autumn 2024 and have already completed some GED subjects, you may continue with your original study plan to fulfill your graduation requirements. Alternatively, you may choose to follow the new guidelines by completing one GED subject in the Emirati Studies category from the list above and transferring any completed GED subjects to Electives if permitted by your degree plan.
For support and guidance on this option, please consult an officer at the Academic Success Centre or speak with the Academic Advisor in your School.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student should be able to:
- Apply Foundational Knowledge: Utilize the theoretical foundations of computer science to effectively solve a wide range of practical problems.
- Develop Advanced Software Solutions: Design and implement state-of-the-art software systems tailored to various applications and industries.
- Optimize Problem-Solving Approaches: Create and employ innovative and efficient algorithms and methodologies to address real-world challenges.
- Analyse and Design Projects: Assess project requirements, conceptualize solutions, and select the appropriate tools for implementation, integration, or management.
- Collaborate and Communicate Effectively: Function as an integral member of a team, achieving shared objectives while maintaining clear and professional communication with all stakeholders.
- Adopt Ethical and Professional Standards: Demonstrate a commitment to ethical decision-making and fulfill social responsibilities in professional practices.
- Leverage AI and Big Data Techniques: Determine and apply suitable artificial intelligence and big data analytics methods to solve complex, real-world problems.
- Implement AI-Driven Solutions: Design and develop AI-enabled, data-driven applications using advanced algorithms and techniques in big data and artificial intelligence.
These outcomes ensure that graduates are well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding necessary to lead in the dynamic fields of AI and Big Data. Graduates will be able to pursue careers such as:
- AI Specialist: Design and develop intelligent systems and algorithms that power automation, machine learning, and decision-making processes.
- Data Scientist: Analyse and interpret complex datasets to provide actionable insights and drive strategic decision-making across industries.
- Big Data Engineer: Build and maintain scalable data infrastructure to handle and process massive datasets for business intelligence.
- Machine Learning Engineer: Develop and optimize machine learning models to solve real-world problems in areas such as healthcare, finance, and transportation.
- Data Analyst: Extract, clean, and visualize data to uncover trends and patterns that support informed business decisions.
- AI Product Manager: Oversee the development and deployment of AI-powered solutions, bridging the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders.
- Business Intelligence Analyst: Transform raw data into meaningful insights to enhance operational efficiency and competitive advantage.
- Cybersecurity Analyst: Leverage AI and big data techniques to detect and mitigate security threats in real-time.
Accreditation and Recognition
All degrees at the University of Wollongong in Dubai are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE Ministry of Education and are licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). In addition, the degree is quality assured by UOW, which is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the national regulator of the higher education sector in Australia.
Students will be issued a UOW Australia degree upon graduation.


Professional Accreditation
Australian Computer Society (ACS)
ACS promotes quality in ICT-related higher education to meet future industry needs. ACS sets graduate standards, drives improvements and refinements, and gives recognition to quality programs. ACS also ensures that new specialist courses build key skills for critical emerging fields.

Prof May El Barachi
Head of School
School of Computer Science
Dr El Barachi is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering & Information Sciences and is a next generation networking expert currently teaching the subjects of Information & Communication Security, Distributed Systems & Cloud Computing, as well as Programming in the Bachelor of Computer Science and the Bachelor of Information Technology programs.
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