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Computer equipment.

Master of Cyber Security

Overview

Become a leader in cyber security, equipped with new and exciting ways to meet the security challenges of the future.

To get ahead in cyber security you need more than just technical skills. Our Cyber Security program will develop your broader strategic cyber security insight while deepening specialist skills and experience, preparing you to lead at a technological, organisational or policy level.

This program will give you 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 study specialised topics such as cryptography, cyber criminology, cyber defence and leadership to develop an understanding of the global cyber security landscape, informed by industry and government experts.

You'll gain integrated learning experience and advance your professional network by working with a cohort from diverse backgrounds in technology, business, mathematics, social science and law. Plus you'll undertake an industry or research-based project to improve your workforce readiness.

As a Master of Cyber Security you'll be able to look at the field from a different angle, ask bigger questions, and find new ways to tackle real and emerging cyber security threats.

An interdisciplinary 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
1.5 Years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
2 Years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025), Semester 2 (28 Jul, 2025)
Program Code
5257
AQF
Level 9
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$53760
Duration
1.5 Years full-time (only available as full-time study)
2 Years full-time (only available as full-time study)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025), Semester 2 (28 Jul, 2025)
Semester dates for 2026 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
5257
CRICOS Code
0100693
AQF
Level 9

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 2024

Watch Master of Cyber Security - Leadership Stream on YouTube.

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
  • Forensic analyst
  • Risk and compliance analyst
  • Cloud infrastructure engineer
  • Incident response manager
  • Cyber security policy officer

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

It's possible to complete this degree in 2 years or 1.5 years depending on your qualifications and experience.

You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.

2-year degree (32 units of study)

To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:

  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
  • a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or master's degree in any discipline, or
  • to have successfully completed 3 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Cyber Security.


You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.


For the Leadership field of study, you'll also need:

  • 2 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.


* Please note that if a graduate certificate (or graduate diploma) from the same program suite is used as the basis of entry into the program and you do not have a degree in the relevant discipline, you will not be eligible for credit towards the Masters program.

1.5-year degree (24 units of study)

If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), 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 5.0 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.


* Please note that if a graduate certificate (or graduate diploma) from the same program suite is used as the basis of entry into the program and you do not have a degree in the relevant discipline, you will not be eligible for credit towards the Masters program.

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 Master of 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 Student (GS) 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.

Cryptographic systems and algorithms are a fundamental building block of secure computing and communication systems. In this field of study you'll learn about the mathematical foundations of these critical systems, and their secure and practical implementation. You'll also learn about quantum computing and how it may fundamentally change the nature of modern cryptography.

You'll learn how to:

  • analyse and understand modern public and private key cryptographic systems and key exchange protocols, and
  • apply best practice in the implementation of modern cryptographic systems.

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.

What does it take to protect systems, data, organisations and people against a wide variety of current and future cyber-attacks? How do we assess software and systems for vulnerabilities, and how do we plan for an organisation's response to a cyber attack? These and other cutting edge topics such as the application of AI to cyber security are all part of the Cyber Defence field of study.

You'll learn how to:

  • identify, analyse, prevent and respond to cyber threats and incidents, and
  • translate technical risks and threats into impactful advice to enhance organisational cyber security.

View

Discover why leadership is just as important as strategy.

In an industry like cyber security, rapid change is inevitable. 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, and
  • 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.

Cryptographic systems and algorithms are a fundamental building block of secure computing and communication systems. In this field of study you'll learn about the mathematical foundations of these critical systems, and their secure and practical implementation. You'll also learn about quantum computing and how it may fundamentally change the nature of modern cryptography.

You'll learn how to:

  • analyse and understand modern public and private key cryptographic systems and key exchange protocols, and
  • apply best practice in the implementation of modern cryptographic systems.

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.

What does it take to protect systems, data, organisations and people against a wide variety of current and future cyber-attacks? How do we assess software and systems for vulnerabilities, and how do we plan for an organisation's response to a cyber attack? These and other cutting edge topics such as the application of AI to cyber security are all part of the Cyber Defence field of study.

You'll learn how to:

  • identify, analyse, prevent and respond to cyber threats and incidents, and
  • translate technical risks and threats into impactful advice to enhance organisational cyber security.

View

Discover why leadership is just as important as strategy.

In an industry like cyber security, rapid change is inevitable. 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, and
  • 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

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

$10,200

2025

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 $53,760

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

AUD $53,760

2025

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 Master of 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

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 Master of Cyber Security is 5257.

This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.

When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.

Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study

Applying online

All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.

The program code for the Master of Cyber Security is 5257.

This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.

When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.

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 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

Explore other programs

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2 Years full-time2 Years full-time
(or part time equivalent)

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