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Cybercrime is on the rise, with Australians reporting cyber security incidents every 10 minutes, and costing businesses $29 billion each year¹. Consequently, there’s an increased demand for cyber security specialists to develop systems that offer safety and security for businesses and everyday Australians who are reliant on digital platforms. The industry is expected to almost triple in size by 2026² and requires an estimated 16,600 additional professionals in both technical and non-technical cyber security positions³.
The Cyber Security program is designed for ambitious professionals who want to become technical experts or leaders and leverage lucrative career opportunities within the field of cyber. The skills you develop in this program will help you provide safe and secure online experiences, often to some of the most vulnerable online users. Select from either the Security Management and Leadership specialisation or Security Engineering specialisation within this program to further develop your expertise and diversify your career options.
This program has been developed in collaboration with industry experts from UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). UNSW Canberra is the only national academic institution with an integrated defence focus.
UNSW Engineering is Australia’s leading engineering faculty and a powerhouse of innovation. It’s home to more than 800 researchers and educators, including expertise across 36 research centres and three institutes, translating research into real-world solutions with businesses, government, and community organisations.
Master of Cyber Security (Online)
Duration
2 years
Courses
12 courses
Study intakes
January, March, May, July, Sept and October
Study mode
100% Online
Program code
8649
Completion time dependent on individual study path, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), leave and course availability. Please speak to a Student Advisor for more information.
What you will study
The Cyber Security program will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of both the current state of and future directions of cyber security. You’ll gain the immediately applicable advanced knowledge and technical skills to securely identify, manage and respond to privacy risks across large datasets, and current best practice in a changing global environment.
The program is offered 100% online and accelerated, meaning you can study anywhere at any time, and graduate in as little as 2 years without taking time out of the workforce.
“It's about seeing problems and solving them using a mix of lateral thinking, innate curiosity and an enthusiasm for technology. Above all, engineering is about wanting to make a better and safer world. Our students and graduates are among the best and taught by experts.”
— Professor Richard Buckland
Looking to expand your career opportunities in a booming industry? The online Master of Cyber Security from UNSW will equip you with the specialist skills to become a technical expert or leader in cyber security.
Download your program guide to find out more about how the Master of Cyber Security can align with your career aspirations to prepare you for a successful and diverse career.
Explore our blogs to discover valuable insights on thriving in Australia's cyber security sector.
A Master of Cyber Security from UNSW will expand your career opportunities on a global and domestic level. You may pursue roles such as:
The UNSW Online experience
We are here to support you, every step of the way, to graduate from one of the world’s leading universities. Our online learning environment has been designed to seamlessly fit into your already busy schedule and you’ll be able to access course resources on any device, at any time.
We offer six study blocks, or hexamesters per year. Each hexamester runs for seven weeks with some orientation time beforehand. You study one course per block, offering balance and flexibility with life's other commitments.
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 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.
You will also have access to Career Success – a curated, self-paced module that provides a framework for thinking about and taking action to implement an effective career plan. Through Career Success, you will have access to tools like Career AI (powered by VMock) and CaseCoach, and guides on crafting the perfect LinkedIn profile, resume and cover letter.
CORE COURSES
You must complete all 3 core courses + 1 specialisation + up to 3 electives + 1 Capstone Project.
Data Security and Privacy
Cyber Security Ethics
Principles of Security Engineering
SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP SPECIALISATION
Specialisation core courses
You must complete at least 4 courses (24 Units of Credit) from the below list:
Cyber Operations
Cyber Risk and Resilience
Cyber Management and Governance
Cyber Threats and Crime
Cyber and the Law
Electives
You must complete 4 courses (24 Units of Credit) from the below list:
Advanced Penetration Testing
Cloud Security
Digital Forensics
Penetration Testing
Reverse Engineering
Fundamentals of Coding: C and Assembler
Operating System Fundamentals for Security
Non-domain elective
With permission from the Program Convenor, you may substitute one elective with any other postgraduate course offered in one of the UNSW Online Programs.
Specialisation capstone
You must take 6 Units of Credit of the following course. 48 UOC must be completed before enrolling into the Capstone Project.
Management and Leadership Capstone
SECURITY ENGINEERING SPECIALISATION
Specialisation core courses
You must complete at least 4 courses (24 Units of Credit) from the below list:
Cyber Operations
Digital Forensics
Advanced Penetration Testing
Penetration Testing
Cloud Security
Reverse Engineering
Electives
You must complete 4 courses (24 Units of Credit) from the below list:
Cyber Risk and Resilience
Cyber Management and Governance
Cyber Threats and Crime
Cyber and the Law
Fundamentals of Coding: C and Assembler
Operating System Fundamentals for Security
Non-domain elective
With permission from the Program Convenor, you may substitute one elective with any other postgraduate course offered in one of the UNSW Online Programs.
Specialisation capstone
You must take 6 Units of Credit of the following course. 48 UOC must be completed before enrolling into the Capstone Project.
Security Engineering Capstone
Entry requirements
There are two specialisations to choose from in this program — Security Management and Leadership or Security Engineering. Please refer to your chosen specialisation to find out more about the entry requirements.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place. Study plans and completion times might vary depending on elective choice, RPL, leave and subject availability. For more information, speak with a Student Advisor.
Security Management and Leadership
Have completed the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security (or equivalent) with a minimum WAM of 65; OR
Have completed the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security (or equivalent); OR
Have completed a Bachelor's degree or higher level qualification in a cognate discipline to the selected specialisation* with a minimum WAM of 65
*ZZENDS Security Management & Leadership cognate disciplines may include Science, Engineering, Business, Leadership, and Policy.
Security Engineering
Have completed the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security (or equivalent) with a minimum WAM of 65; OR
Have completed the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security (or equivalent); OR
Have completed a Bachelor degree or higher level qualification in a cognate discipline to the selected specialisation* with a minimum WAM of 65
*ZZENES Security Engineering cognate disciplines may include science, engineering and other degrees with substantial computing, mathematics and/or statistics courses.
Prerequisite courses
Penetrating Testing is a prerequisite for Advanced Penetration Testing
Should you choose to pursue a Master of Cyber Security upon the successful completion of your Graduate Diploma, the following prerequisites must be considered:
Operating System Fundamentals for Security is a prerequisite for Digital Forensics and Reverse Engineering.
Fundamentals of coding: C and Assembler is a prerequisite for Operating System Fundamentals.
What can I do with a Master of Cyber Security from UNSW Online?
With a master’s in cybersecurity, graduates can pursue roles like cybersecurity analyst, security architect, penetration tester or incident response specialist. They might also explore leadership positions such as chief information security officer (CISO) or specialise in areas like cloud security, application security or digital forensics, working across industries like finance, defence, healthcare and tech sectors.
How does the Security Management stream differ from Security Engineering?
Security Engineering equips you with both foundational theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on skills. You’ll learn to effectively communicate security recommendations, develop technical coding and analytical abilities, and undertake an exploratory project in Cyber Security.
Meanwhile, Security Management is perfect for those drawn to strategy, risk mitigation and governance leadership. Your career goals will determine which suits you better.
Can I transition into cyber security without a technical background?
Yes. If you don’t have a background or degree in IT or mathematics, we recommend beginning with our Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security. This program is designed to help you develop strong foundational skills and set you up for success in more advanced courses.
How quickly can I complete the Master of Cyber Security while working full-time?
The program is designed for working professionals. You can finish in two years by taking one course per hexamester, with approximately 15–20 study hours per week. You can also take breaks or adjust your pace as needed
What kind of support will I get as an online student?
As an online UNSW student, you’ll receive personalised, one-on-one support tailored to your needs, along with access to a range of study resources. You’ll stay connected with a dedicated Student Success Advisor for non-academic queries and facilitators who’ll help you stay on track and excel in your coursework. Want to learn more?
Visit studyonline.unsw.edu.au/study-online.
How flexible is the course structure for choosing electives?
The Master of Cyber Security includes 12 online courses, offering specialisations in Security Management and Leadership or Security Engineering. It features four core courses, at least four specialisation courses, electives and a capstone project.
Will my previous study or experience reduce how many courses I need to complete?
You may qualify for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which can help lower both your study workload and tuition costs. Eligibility for RPL is determined by any relevant postgraduate studies you've completed within the past 10 years. To apply, you'll need to provide your academic transcripts and work history for assessment with your application. For more details, contact an Enrolment Advisor.
What kind of time commitment should I expect per week?
Each course typically requires 15–20 hours per week. This includes lectures, assignments and self-paced study, allowing you to manage your workload around a full-time job.
How soon can I start?
With six intakes per year in January, March, May, July, September and October, you will not need to wait long to begin. Apply by the relevant cut-off date to secure your spot. Check out our key dates calendar for more information.
Ready to get started?
Speak to an Enrolment Advisor
Investing in the right program for you is important to us and we’re here to help. Simply send us an email or schedule a call-back at a time that works for you.
We will assist you with:
Right now, there are more opportunities than qualified applicants in the field of cyber security. Here are the top cyber security careers in Australia.