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Field of Study

Cryptography

Bachelor of Computer Science / Master of Cyber Security
Overview Study details

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

Explore the mathematics and practical methods behind secure communication, authentication and digital privacy. 

This field of study covers encryption, decryption and authentication, including the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) cryptosystem. It supports students interested in advanced cryptography, higher-level research or future practice in cryptology and cyber security.

You'll study modern cryptography, including:

  • elliptic curve cryptography
  • cryptographic hash functions
  • secure random number generation
  • modern cryptanalysis
  • cryptocurrency
  • digital privacy.

You'll also examine error correction and detection using Hamming, Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BHC), Reed-Solomon and cyclic codes.

As your studies progress, you'll explore quantum computing, formal logic, computability, set theory, group theory and ring theory. 

Highlights

1 in Queensland for computer science and information systems

QS World University Rankings 2026

Career possibilities

Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Cryptographic systems engineer
  • Intelligence officer
  • Malware researcher
  • Cryptographer
  • Signals intelligence officer
  • Malware analyst
  • Financial systems engineer
  • Payment systems engineer
  • Applied cryptographer

Average annual salary range

Systems Engineer

$105–$125K

seek.com.au

Next steps after graduation

After graduation, you can apply your cryptology knowledge to advanced cyber security, secure systems, digital privacy and cryptographic research.

Explore roles, or further study, in encryption, authentication, cryptanalysis, quantum computing and the mathematical foundations of secure digital technologies.

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, subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study:

  • Set Theory & Mathematical Logic
  • Applied Cryptography
  • Coding and Cryptography
  • Quantum Algorithms and Quantum Computing

See courses and program structure

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