Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security
Overview
Become a leader in cyber security, equipped with new and exciting ways to meet the security challenges of the future.
This one year postgraduate program aims to create specialists with a deep understanding of cyber security’s impact on every aspect of modern life, and to empower cyber security leaders for a resilient, more productive digital future.
You'll undertake advanced level courses covering a range of key topics. You'll learn about the major cyber security challenges facing the world and a range of responses, including technical, policy, organisational, governance and geopolitical.
You'll gain integrated learning experience and advance your professional network by working with a cohort with diverse backgrounds from technology, business, mathematics and humanities, unique to UQ.
As a result, you'll be equipped to look at the field from a different angle, ask bigger questions, and find new and exciting ways to tackle real and emerging cyber security threats.
An inter-disciplinary approach
It’s estimated that Australia will need an additional 18,000 cyber security professionals by 2026, so in partnership with industry experts, UQ has developed the first program to genuinely address the interdisciplinary nature of this field, while meeting the need for deep technical specialisation in core areas.
Program highlights
- Study specialised topics such as cryptography, cyber criminology, cyber defence and leadership.
- Gain integrated learning experience and advance your professional network.
- Undertake an industry or research-based project to improve your workforce readiness.
- Acquire a global perspective on cyber security and information security fundamentals.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Cryptography
- Cyber Criminology
- Cyber Defence
- Leadership
How you'll learn
Due to the way they are taught, certain programs and plans are not offered online in Semester 1, 2022.
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Laboratory work
- Seminars
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Fundamentals of Cyber Security
- Information Security Essentials
- Cyber Security Governance, Policy, Ethics and Law
- Cyber Criminology and Global Security
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Depending on which field you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Cyber risk and governance consultant
- Penetration tester
- Cyber security analyst
- IT security specialist
- Cyber security designer
- Risk and compliance analyst
- Cloud infrastructure engineer
- Incident response manager
- Cyber security policy officer
- Domain security architect
Graduate salary
Computing & information systems (postgraduate)
compared.edu.au
Next steps after graduation
- The Australian Cyber Security Market is predicted to triple in size by 2026.
- Cyber security specialist was the #2 emerging job of 2020. (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report)
“Benefit from close industry ties and a breadth and depth of learning that no other cyber security university course in Australia offers. Students will spend a large portion of their studies on the job, embedded in industry and gaining experience in applying their new knowledge to tackle real and emerging cyber security threats.”
Professor Ryan KoProgram Coordinator, Master of Cyber Security
“There is a lack of professionals available that meet industry need for both depth and breadth of cyber security knowledge, problem solving and at least some DevOps skills. Experience and specific skills can be acquired on the job, however, job applicants with a solid knowledge of cyber security are naturally at an advantage.”
Mike HolmOperations Manager, AusCERT
“Viewing cyber security in the interdisciplinary way UQ is will give it life – it’s relevant, it’s hitting areas of high demand and it helps to develop a worldwide community of highly trained and trusted professionals who can rapidly respond to new threats and problems.”
Professor Corey SchouCyber Security Pioneer
“Benefit from close industry ties and a breadth and depth of learning that no other cyber security university course in Australia offers. Students will spend a large portion of their studies on the job, embedded in industry and gaining experience in applying their new knowledge to tackle real and emerging cyber security threats.”
Professor Ryan KoProgram Coordinator, Master of Cyber Security
“There is a lack of professionals available that meet industry need for both depth and breadth of cyber security knowledge, problem solving and at least some DevOps skills. Experience and specific skills can be acquired on the job, however, job applicants with a solid knowledge of cyber security are naturally at an advantage.”
Mike HolmOperations Manager, AusCERT
“Viewing cyber security in the interdisciplinary way UQ is will give it life – it’s relevant, it’s hitting areas of high demand and it helps to develop a worldwide community of highly trained and trusted professionals who can rapidly respond to new threats and problems.”
Professor Corey SchouCyber Security Pioneer
Events
See all events
Stories
See all stories
Careers
Cryptography careers: building a better digital world
Careers
Kickstart your data-driven future with a graduate degree in data science
Stories
See all storiesCareers
Cryptography careers: building a better digital world
Careers
Kickstart your data-driven future with a graduate degree in data science
UQ people
Meet Kaustubh from India, studying Engineering in Australia
Entry requirements
Prerequisites
an approved Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a relevant area of study with a GPA of at least 4.5 on a 7 point scale.
A relevant area of study for a field in:
- Cyber Defence is a degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mathematics or Software Engineering.
- Cyber Criminology is a degree in Sociology, Criminology, Criminal Justice or Crime Science.
- Cryptography is a degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Actuarial Science or Information Technology.
- Leadership is a degree in Commerce, Management, Business, Accounting, Information Technology, Computer Science, Leadership. In addition applicants must minimum of 5 years of supervisory/management experience. This may include, but is not limited to: managing a team of people, managing client accounts, the managerial components of any major projects, resource planning, direct responsibility for financial delegations.
Prerequisites
an approved Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a relevant area of study with a GPA of at least 4.5 on a 7 point scale.
A relevant area of study for a field in:
- Cyber Defence is a degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mathematics or Software Engineering.
- Cyber Criminology is a degree in Sociology, Criminology, Criminal Justice or Crime Science.
- Cryptography is a degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Actuarial Science or Information Technology.
- Leadership is a degree in Commerce, Management, Business, Accounting, Information Technology, Computer Science, Leadership. In addition applicants must minimum of 5 years of supervisory/management experience. This may include, but is not limited to: managing a team of people, managing client accounts, the managerial components of any major projects, resource planning, direct responsibility for financial delegations.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
TOEFL PB - Overall 570, listening 54, reading 54, writing 59/5.
Pearsons - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Driven and taught by some of the brightest researchers in the industry, you’ll apply theory to real-world systems, as well as undertake internships or research projects with leading Australian companies and government agencies.
You'll learn how to:
- conceptualise, design, and build secure IT systems
- expertly review and evaluate cyber security information.
What motivates cyber criminals? The more we interrogate this question, the better we can manage and get ahead of cyber threats.
Whether you’re looking to upskill or re-stream into the cyber industry, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to make your mark in intelligence, law enforcement or security in either management, investigative or threat analysis roles.
In this field of study, you'll learn how to:
- expertly review and evaluate cyber security information
- collect, process, analyse, and present information to develop intelligence.
Learn what it takes to protect systems, data, organisations and people against a variety of cyber-attacks.
A number of our courses are taught by world-renowned AusCERT experts. And as many of our staff have research connections all around the world – from Singapore, Japan and Taiwan, to NZ, Switzerland, Germany and the USA – we can set you up with opportunities to collaborate with leading minds.
You'll learn how to:
- Conceptualise, design, and build secure IT systems.
- Identify, analyse, and prevent cyber threats to an organisation.
In an industry like cyber security, rapid change is inevitable. And as we continue to find new ways to defend, adapt to and get ahead of threats, the need for strong and innovative leadership is essential.
By studying the strengths and weakness of different leadership styles, you’ll gain a better understanding of how to implement projects, engage and inspire technical teams, and ultimately, create safer environments.
You'll learn how to:
- Provide leadership and advocacy to conduct effective cyber security.
- Investigate, review, and evaluate cyber events and cyber crimes.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Driven and taught by some of the brightest researchers in the industry, you’ll apply theory to real-world systems, as well as undertake internships or research projects with leading Australian companies and government agencies.
You'll learn how to:
- conceptualise, design, and build secure IT systems
- expertly review and evaluate cyber security information.
What motivates cyber criminals? The more we interrogate this question, the better we can manage and get ahead of cyber threats.
Whether you’re looking to upskill or re-stream into the cyber industry, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to make your mark in intelligence, law enforcement or security in either management, investigative or threat analysis roles.
In this field of study, you'll learn how to:
- expertly review and evaluate cyber security information
- collect, process, analyse, and present information to develop intelligence.
Learn what it takes to protect systems, data, organisations and people against a variety of cyber-attacks.
A number of our courses are taught by world-renowned AusCERT experts. And as many of our staff have research connections all around the world – from Singapore, Japan and Taiwan, to NZ, Switzerland, Germany and the USA – we can set you up with opportunities to collaborate with leading minds.
You'll learn how to:
- Conceptualise, design, and build secure IT systems.
- Identify, analyse, and prevent cyber threats to an organisation.
In an industry like cyber security, rapid change is inevitable. And as we continue to find new ways to defend, adapt to and get ahead of threats, the need for strong and innovative leadership is essential.
By studying the strengths and weakness of different leadership styles, you’ll gain a better understanding of how to implement projects, engage and inspire technical teams, and ultimately, create safer environments.
You'll learn how to:
- Provide leadership and advocacy to conduct effective cyber security.
- Investigate, review, and evaluate cyber events and cyber crimes.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
AUD $38,624
Indicative annual fee 2022
This indicative annual fee is the average cost of enrolling full-time in the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security at 2022 fee rates.
A standard full-time study load is 16 units per academic year. The average fee would be less for part-time study.
Actual fees may be lower or higher according to your choice of courses, their unit value and the time you take to complete this program. Fees may be higher in later years as all fees are reviewed annually.
A limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) may be offered for this program on the basis of academic merit. See the fee for a CSP in this program. Once all CSPs have been exhausted, offers may be made on a tuition-fee-paying basis.
AUD $46,112
Indicative annual fee 2022
This indicative annual fee is the cost of enrolling in the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security for the 2022 academic year. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
If you enrol in a larger or smaller study load, your fees will be calculated on a proportionate basis. All fees are reviewed annually.
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security is 5255.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security is 5255.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
Explore other programs
Keep up to date
Sign up to get information about applying and studying at UQ.