University of New South Wales
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 8 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Gain advanced skills to combat cyber threats and protect digital environments in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security comprises four online foundation courses. Completing these courses will provide a comprehensive introduction to security engineering principles and practices for designing, operating and ensuring secure systems in this fast-growing industry.
The program is delivered 100% online in seven-week blocks, meaning you could graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security in as little as eight months. Upon successful completion, this fast-tracked model provides a pathway to articulate into the Master of Cyber Security.
Key facts
16th March, 2026
11th May, 2026
6th July, 2026
31st August, 2026
26th October, 2026
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security, you must complete four courses.
Foundation courses
- Data Security and Privacy
- Cyber security Ethics
- Principles of Security Engineering
Electives
Complete one course from the following:
- Cyber Operations
- Cyber Risk and Resilience
- Cyber Management and Governance
- Cyber Threats and Crime
- Cyber and the Law
- Digital Forensics
- Penetration Testing
- Cloud Security
- Fundamentals of Coding: C and Assembler
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security you must have one of the following:
- Have completed a bachelor degree or higher level qualification (or equivalent).
- Applicants who have not completed a bachelor degree or higher level qualification are required to have a minimum of two years relevant or professional experience in cyber security or other cyber-related positions.
Note: Relevant experience includes being responsible for tasks within cyber-related role that may include technical or governance roles. It can include experience of managing a small team, being a team leader, managing a relevant project.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your online postgraduate studies provided that they meet relevant course requirements. If you are eligible for admission and you have undertaken previous studies at another institution, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if it is permitted in your selected UNSW Online program.
Students can apply for RPL during the program application process and must ensure all relevant supporting documents are submitted for assessment if requested by Admissions, including course outlines from the same year they completed the relevant course/s as content may change over time.
Find out more about RPL and credit transfer at UNSW. Speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor to learn more about additional requirements and to receive guidance around the RPL process.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
After successful completion of the online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security from UNSW, you may pursue roles such as:
- Cloud security analyst
- Computer forensics analyst
- Cryptographer
- Cyber security engineer
- Cyber security technician
- IT risk analyst
- Security analyst
Fees and FEE-HELP
Total indicative fee in 2025: $20,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
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 fee is based on an estimated average and is subject to the choice of elective course. The fee is 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 (eight courses per year).
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students. This Australian Government loan scheme can support payment for all or part of the tuition.