Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
- Commencing Terms
- Hexamester 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
- Duration
- 0.7 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Online
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 7649
- CRICOS code -
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $20,000*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $20,000*
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $20,000*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $20,000*
Fees
Fees
-
Short course option
-
Less than one year
-
Pathway to further study
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security is designed to provide a foundational understanding of the cyber security concepts and knowledge that industry demands. You'll be armed with the current best practice skills to securely identify, manage and respond to privacy risks in a changing global environment.
Why study at UNSW?
You’ll be studying at Australia’s leading Engineering faculty, ranked 1st in Australia and 36th in the world by QS World University Rankings.ÌýThis graduate certificate is delivered by the School of Computer Science and Engineering.
UNSW’s School of Computer Science and Engineering’sÌýresearch is ranked 1st in Australia for Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Databases, Embedded & Real-Time Systems and Operating Systems by CS Rankings. Our strong focus on research,Ìýwith our world-class research facilities feeds leading-edge discoveries straight into our degrees. Our research culture provides an education where you’ll question, test, learn and experiment, making new discoveries along the way.Ìý
The School of Computer Science and Engineering is a leading provider of world class education and research, specialising in education for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- UNSW School of Computer Science and Engineering’sÌýresearch is internationally recognised with 1stÌýCSRankingsÌýin Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Databases, Embedded & Real-Time Systems and Operating SystemsÌý
- We have a five-star rating for employability, helping to guarantee your futureÌýupon graduationÌý
- Many lecturers within the School are world-renowned researchers in their fieldÌý
- Our School is rated five stars by the Australian Research Council for the research field of Information and Computing SciencesÌý
- WeÌýleverage ourÌýstrong industry ties to improve our research, teaching andÌýstudents’Ìýlearning.ÌýÌý
- OurÌýindustryÌýpartners include leadingÌýcompaniesÌýsuch as Atlassian,ÌýCommbank,ÌýGoogle, Honeywell, Microsoft andÌýWiseTechÌýGlobal.Ìý
Experts in Cyber Security
UNSW partnered with CSIRO’s Data61 (then NICTA), to design the OKL4 microkernel which gives computing devices an enhanced level of security. Continued research led to the revolutionary seL4 microkernel, the first operating system mathematically proven to be free of bugs.
Successful real-world applications include Apple iOS devices and other personal electronic devices and military systems, including a Boeing-built optionally-piloted helicopter, an autonomous US Army truck, and a space satellite platform of the US Navy.
UNSW is known for its graduate employability, UNSW placed in the GradConnection AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards in 2020 and 2021. Australia’s top employers prefer UNSW Engineering graduates over any other university and we’re ranked 22nd in the world for employer reputation.
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Want to see more from UNSW Engineering?
Entry requirements
- Have completed a recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a WAM of 65 (as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator).Ìý
OR
- Sufficient professional analytical background as indicated by at least two years’ experience in an analytical role.
English language requirements
Ìý
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
- Have completed a recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a WAM of 65 (as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator).Ìý
OR
- Sufficient professional analytical background as indicated by at least two years’ experience in an analytical role.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security comprises four online foundation courses. Completing these courses will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to security engineering principles, and practices to the design, operation, and assurance of secure systems in this fast-growing industry.
Full program structure
Degree structures can vary depending on your specialisation of choice, the number of courses you choose and timetabling, to give you an indication you can consider the below.
TheÌýGraduate Certificate in Cyber Security comprises four online foundation courses.
These include:
Data Security and Privacy
This course equips student for handling data in secure ways, understanding the nature and principles of privacy, and how to securely identify manage and respond to privacy risks across large datasets and current best practice in a changing global environment.
Foundations of Cyber Security
This foundational course is designed to equip students with an understanding of cybersecurity concepts, nomenclature, and key current issues, practice, and trends.
Cybersecurity Ethics
This course provides students with fundamental ethical frameworks, applied to the cyber security profession. Students analyse topics and current and historic cyber events from ethical, professional, and legal perspectives.
Principles of Security Engineering
This course equips student for handling data in secure ways, understanding the nature and principles of privacy, and how to securely identify manage and respond to privacy risks across large datasets and current best practice in a changing global environment.
Upon completion of this certificate, you may be eligible to articulate into the Master of Cybersecurity where your studies in this certificate can be credited towards.
Future careers
The Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity provides foundational knowledge in the area, upon completion of the Master of Cybersecurity career opportunities include:
- Security Consultant
- Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians
- Engineering Manager
- Management Consultant
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through ourÌýÌýportal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date.Ìý.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted viaÌýour  service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencementÌýdate. ForÌýmore information visitÌýour .
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
As part of the Australian Government’sÌýJob-ready Graduates Package, Commonwealth Supported PlacesÌý(CSPs) are now available for this program for S1 2021 and S2 2021 only.
^The indicative tuition fee for domestic postgraduate students shown is for fee paying students, not students in Commonwealth Supported Places. To find out more about the student contribution amounts for Commonwealth Supported Places visitÌý.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at theÌý.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed below.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at theÌý.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visitÌý.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
I love that everything in the world is being engineered by somebody.
