Course Overview
Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security at UNSW Online.
Australia is facing a severe shortage of job-ready cyber security workers, requiring an estimated 16,600 additional cyber security workers for technical as well as non-technical positions by 2026¹.
The Graduate Diploma is designed for those looking to build upon foundational knowledge and gain the cyber security skills needed to meet demand in an evolving industry. Develop a holistic perspective of the current and emerging trends in cybercrime and gain the technical skills to secure modern networks against cyber-attacks.
Designed by leading cyber security academics and industry experts and built to remain relevant in a continuously developing sector, this dynamic and rewarding program provides you with the skills employer’s demand, for a successful career in cyber security.
¹AustCyber, Sector Competitiveness Plan, 2019
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Security Consultant
- Cyber Security Officer
- Information Security Analyst
- Security System Manager
- Information Security Auditor
- IT Security Engineer
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Head of Cyber Security
- Head of Cyber Defence
- Cyber Security Executive
- Data and Cyber Security lead
What You'll Learn
The Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security program comprises eight online courses, with the option of selecting from a Management and Leadership or Security Engineering specialisation. The Graduate Diploma program consists of four foundation courses, three specialisation electives, and one elective of choice
Study Method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Duration and Study Load
- 16 months
- 8 courses
Entry Requirements
There are two specialisations to choose from in this program – Management and Leadership or Security Engineering. Please refer to your chosen specialisation to find out more about the entry requirements.
Management and Leadership
- Have completed a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security with a WAM of 65 or greater as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator or no fails OR
- Have completed a recognised bachelors degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline (e.g. Engineering, Business, Science, Leadership, Policy) with a WAM of 65 or greater as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator OR
- Four years of relevant experience* with demonstrated skills and ability in leadership.
*Relevant work experience for the Management and Leadership specialisation includes, but is not limited to, the following roles:
- Business Strategy
- HR Management
- Change Management
- Project Management
- Policy or Leadership
- Business Systems Analyst
- Front-end Developer
- Application Coder
- Game Designer
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Software Developer
- Consultant in Risk or Business
- Penetration Tester
- Security Team Manager
- Digital Forensics Specialist
- Cyber Security Change and Awareness Manager
- Cyber Security Outreach Trainer
- Private Investigator,
- Specialist Police and Military roles
- Financial Analyst
- Forensic Accountant
- Computer Systems or Information Auditor
- Data Privacy and Electronics Technician
- Project Manager
- Executive Officer
- Technical Manager
- Analyst.
Security Engineering
- Have completed a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security with a WAM of 65 or greater as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator or no fails OR
- Have completed a recognised bachelors degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline (e.g. Computer Science, Science or Engineering or a degree containing considerable mathematics and/or statistics courses) with a WAM of 65 or greater as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator OR
- Four years of relevant experience* with demonstrated skills and ability in leadership.
*Relevant experience for the Security Engineering specialisation includes, but is not limited to, the following roles:
- Business Systems Analyst
- Front-end Developer
- Application Coder
- Game Designer
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Software Developer
- Consultant in Risk or Business
- Penetration Tester
- Security Team Manager
- Digital Forensics Specialist
- Cyber Security Change and Awareness Manager
- Cyber Security Outreach Trainer
- Private Investigator
- Specialist Police and Military roles
- Financial Analyst
- Forensic Accountant
- Computer Systems or Information Auditor
- Data Privacy
- Electronics Technician
- Project Manager
- Executive Officer
- Technical Manager
- Analyst
- Systems Administrator
- Network or Telecommunications Engineer
Note: Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place. Study plans and completion times might vary depending on the elective choice, RPL, leave and subject availability. For more information, speak with a Student Advisor.
Course Features
Global top 50 university
- UNSW is ranked 43rd overall in the world.
QS World University Rankings, 2022
Top three for graduate employability
- UNSW is ranked in the top three universities in Australia for graduate employability and is 27th in the world.
QS World University Rankings by Graduate Employability, 2020
Top-ranked for Engineering and Technology
- Ranked #1 in Australia for Engineering and Technology.
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021
Pathways
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security with an average mark of 65% or above, you may be eligible to articulate into the Master of Cyber Security.
The UNSW Online Experience
The Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security program has been designed with the working professional in mind and offers you an online learning environment where you can study each course in eight-week blocks. This means you can graduate in only 16-months so you can leverage the employer demand sooner.
Our academics are some of the best in the world and even though you’re studying online, you can expect your learning experience to be of the same high standard as that of our on-campus students.
Throughout your study journey, you will be able to turn to your Student Success Advisor, who is committed to assisting you from enrolment through to graduation. They are on hand for all non-academic queries by phone or email.
Subjects
About University of New South Wales (Online)
Study 100% Online with UNSW. A World Leader.
UNSW is a globally recognised leader in education, with a focus on industry applicable programs. When you study online with UNSW, you can expect to learn from world-class academics and collaborate with ambitious, like-minded individuals.
Study at Australia’s Global University. Anywhere, anytime.
Studying online at UNSW means that you have the flexibility to shape your studies to fit your life and career goals. The programs have been designed with busy working professionals in mind so you can study one course at a time, 100% online & accelerated, whilst working full-time.
Designed by Industry for Industry.
The UNSW online programs have been developed in close consultation with industry experts equipping you with applicable and career-related skills. UNSW is ranked in the top 3 universities in Australia for graduate employability, and is 27th in the world (QS University World Rankings by Graduate Employability, 2020) with each program offering advanced disciplinary depth, giving you access to the latest thinking and current research.
