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Computer equipment.

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.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (19 Feb, 2024), Semester 2 (22 Jul, 2024)
Program Code
5255
AQF
Level 8
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$51200
Duration
1 Year full-time
Start Semester
Semester 1 (19 Feb, 2024), Semester 2 (22 Jul, 2024)
Semester dates for 2025 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
5255
CRICOS Code
0100691
AQF
Level 8

Program highlights

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.

1 in Queensland for computer science and information systems

QS World University Rankings 2023

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

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)

$56K–$77K

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)

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), or
  • a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or master's degree in a relevant discipline (see below).

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
For the Leadership field of study, you'll also need:
  • 5 years of supervisory or management experience, such as managing a team or people, client accounts or major projects, resource planning, or direct responsibility for financial delegations.
  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), or
  • a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or master's degree in a relevant discipline (see below).

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
For the Leadership field of study, you'll also need:
  • 5 years of supervisory or management experience, such as managing a team or people, client accounts or major projects, resource planning, or direct responsibility for financial delegations.

Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications

Relevant Disciplines depend on the field of study you intend to choose.

  • For the Cyber Defence field of study, relevant disciplines include computer science, information technology, computer engineering, mechatronics, electrical and electronic engineering, mathematics or software engineering.
  • For the Cyber Criminology field of study, relevant disciplines include sociology, criminology, criminal justice and crime science.
  • For the Cryptography field of study, relevant disciplines include mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, actuarial science and information technology.
  • For the Leadership field of study, relevant disciplines include commerce, management, business, accounting, information technology, computer science and leadership. 

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 (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.

PTE Academic - 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.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

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.

Learn more about student visas

Fields of study

Fields of study

Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:

Work in cutting-edge areas such as quantum algorithms and quantum computing.

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.

View

Look at the criminological, psychological, sociological, and anthropological factors behind cyber crime.

What motivates cyber criminals? How can we better prevent victimisation? The more we interrogate these types of questions, 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 analysis, intelligence, law enforcement, security, or research roles.

In this field of study, you'll learn how to:

  • focus on the human side of cyber crime and cyber security, and employ human-centred analysis to cyber crime and cyber security problems, and
  • examine the motivations, methods, behaviours, and beliefs underpinning cyber crime offending, victimisation, and responses.

View

Study advanced topics such as blockchain technologies, internet of things security, cloud computing and artificial 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.

View

Discover why leadership is just as important as strategy.

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.

View

Fields of study

Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:

Work in cutting-edge areas such as quantum algorithms and quantum computing.

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.

View

Look at the criminological, psychological, sociological, and anthropological factors behind cyber crime.

What motivates cyber criminals? How can we better prevent victimisation? The more we interrogate these types of questions, 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 analysis, intelligence, law enforcement, security, or research roles.

In this field of study, you'll learn how to:

  • focus on the human side of cyber crime and cyber security, and employ human-centred analysis to cyber crime and cyber security problems, and
  • examine the motivations, methods, behaviours, and beliefs underpinning cyber crime offending, victimisation, and responses.

View

Study advanced topics such as blockchain technologies, internet of things security, cloud computing and artificial 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.

View

Discover why leadership is just as important as strategy.

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.

View

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$10,200

2024

$10,200

2024

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $51,200

2024

AUD $51,200

2024

Learn more about postgraduate fees

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.

Learn more about financial aid

HECS-HELP

Domestic places in the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
  • To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.

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 university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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