Monash Uni - Commerce & IT

[mnidt]

My goal initially was comm/law but recently recognised that I should spend my time doing pursuing my passion which is video games (spend pretty much of my time playing and watching). I'm aware the prerequisites for this double degree at Monash are Math and English but I've never taken any IT related subject in high school. I'm currently unsure if the IT subjects in high school are applicable to the course and I'm afraid I'd be at a major disadvantage if they are.

My subjects are: English, Methods, Spesh, Revs, Religion and Society, Chem, Politics 

Edit: Also, if anyone has completed or is currently undertaking the course, how much work did you put in? Do grades/ranking matter? What's the level of difficulty for employment after graduating?

Thank you for your time.

[Sine]

My goal initially was comm/law but recently recognised that I should spend my time doing pursuing my passion which is video games (spend pretty much of my time playing and watching). I'm aware the prerequisites for this double degree at Monash are Math and English but I've never taken any IT related subject in high school. I'm currently unsure if the IT subjects in high school are applicable to the course and I'm afraid I'd be at a major disadvantage if they are.

My subjects are: English, Methods, Spesh, Revs, Religion and Society, Chem, Politics 

If it is not a prerequisite to the course that means they don't expect you to have any knowledge level in IT. Thus, the unit coordinators will all have that in mind when constructing a course and lecturers will know this when giving lectures. Sure, doing a VCE level subject will give some students an advantage at the beginning but generally in any course at university that advantage of prior knowledge usually never equates to one group doing better than the other in terms of grades although you may need to work a little harder.

In most courses after the first semester, everyone is generally on the same level so it shouldn't hurt too much. Also, there will be heaps others who haven't done any IT subjects before with you in the course.

[Aaron]

Can confirm above. IT degrees don't assume anything - all you need is a brain and to be ok (e.g. Further level) at maths. It is a lot more fast paced than high school so don't expect to be comfortable for very long, but it will be accessible.

I did my IT degree at a different uni but the content is quite similar.

Also, if anyone has completed or is currently undertaking the course, how much work did you put in? Do grades/ranking matter? What's the level of difficulty for employment after graduating?

It is a heavier time commitment than say an Education course (only one I can compare to since that's the only other course i've done), but it's manageable. You could get 3-4 days a week if you're lucky but most likely it will be the full five depending on subjects. In majority of situations grades are based on merit (e.g. what you achieve is what you get) but I have known some lecturers to moderate...

I also would say that employability is mixed depending on your specialism. Entry level roles are hard to crack into unless it's an emerging area e.g. cybersec or data science but with persistence it is possible. The problem here is that the IT industry is an area that employs a lot of overseas/visa workers and it is REALLY easy to outsource work elsewhere.

While I said grades matter, the most critical aspect of IT is networking and opportunities. If there's a chance to do an internship, industry project etc, do it. This will hold significant weight, much more so than just grades alone.