Master of Cybersecurity
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2022
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You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Program Code
LMCY
SATAC Code
4CM207 (Internal)
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Mode
On-campus
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Entry requirements
Entry to this program is competitive and will be assessed by the Program Director. Applicants will normally have completed a Bachelor Degree in Information Technology with a UniSA equivalent GPA of at least 5.0.
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor Degree or higher in any discipline may also be considered for entry based upon their IT expertise gained through formal tertiary studies and/or relevant work experience. These applicants are required to submit a detailed curriculum vitae.
Applicants may be required to attend an interview, either in person or online.
This program will not be offered in 2022. To apply for a future intake, please register your interest via the Enquire button.
Degree overview
- Study at the No.1 university in SA for student satisfaction in IT.1
- Join a growing industry tasked with protecting critical IT infrastructure and information.
- Study technical topics such as web and cloud security, network security, digital forensics, identity management and access control.
- Apply technical skills to organisational contexts with a focus on risk management and incident response.
- Devise and implement a defence strategy for a complex enterprise environment in a final year Cybersecurity Exercise.
- Endorsed by the Naval Shipbuilding College (NSC) as part of the College Endorsement Process.
1ComparED (QILT) Course Experience Questionnaire 2019-20, Computing and Information Systems – Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Postgraduate). SA public universities.
Snapshot
Join a growing industry tasked with protecting critical IT infrastructure and information.
Cybersecurity is an essential component of a modern, prosperous and safe society. Like many other nations, Australia is suffering from a cybersecurity skills shortage. These particular skills are essential in our connected, technology-enabled world1.
You will develop the skills and expertise required to assess, design and implement enterprise wide cybersecurity. In a final year Cybersecurity Exercise you will devise and implement a defence strategy for a complex enterprise environment.
UniSA has partnered with Optus to establish a Cyber Security Research and Collaboration Hub at Lot Fourteen to educate Australia’s next generation of cybersecurity and data science specialists. The alliance will deliver multi-disciplinary education courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students, along with the creation of a joint research and innovation fund to develop and attract innovation to South Australia. Further information is available here
1Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, A cyber-smart-nation
What you'll learn
You will study a range of core and technical courses including network infrastructure, security governance, web and cloud security, and cybersecurity risk and compliance. You will also complete two capstone courses:
Security Architecture: apply cybersecurity defence strategies and security testing techniques to a complex IT environment and develop presentation methods for communicating technical topics to a lay audience.
Professional Project: work in a structured project team, gaining practical experience in contemporary cybersecurity techniques and practices.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- reports and project documentation
- essays and assignments
- examinations
- group projects and presentations
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Master of Cybersecurity
In this master degree you’ll learn the very broad cybersecurity aspects of complex enterprise architecture. In your final year you will devise and implement a defence strategy for a complex enterprise environment.
Topics you’ll study will include:
- network security
- application and web security
- identity management and access control
- digital forensics
- infrastructure security
- and, industrial internet security (including Internet of Things)
You’ll graduate with real-world knowledge and the skills to capitalise on the global need for cybersecurity experts.
Real-world connections
Research institutes and centres
UniSA is home to several research institutes and centres, including:
All have state-of-the-art facilities, with world renowned links and associations that provide a dynamic teaching and research base for our students.
We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.
Further information about research at UniSA is available here.
Online study
Can I study this program online?
As a student in this program, you will be required to attend on-campus classes. While some courses may be available for external study, at this time it is not possible to complete the entire program online.
Your career
The cybersecurity field is flourishing and the need for specialists is increasing.
In April 2016, the Australian government launched a $230m Cyber Security Strategy with 33 initiatives aimed at improving defences and creating a 'cyber smart nation'. It addresses our nation’s “shortage of cyber security professionals” and states that we must “build our nation’s stock of cyber security skills, which are becoming increasingly essential for life and work in our connected world”.
Careers to consider:
- cybersecurity consultant: understanding vulnerabilities and threats; performing threat and risk assessments, and mitigation strategies; developing network system architecture and design; auditing, acceptance testing and compliance; ability to work in a close team
- information security analyst: reporting and recommendations to prevent security incidents; security control monitoring; implementing new security technology, methods and techniques; championing security best practice; reviewing systems for security risks and compliance issues
- system security engineer: engineering, implementing and monitoring security measures to protect computer systems, networks and information; configuring and troubleshooting security infrastructure devices; communicating with internal stakeholders as quickly as possible about security incidents and mitigation strategies
- system security architect: identifying and defining system security requirements; designing computer security architecture and developing cyber security designs; preparing and documenting standard operating procedures and protocols; developing solutions and security tools to help mitigate security vulnerabilities
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Receive up to $2500 total in travel grants to participate in our Study Overseas programs. UniSA has agreements with over 80 institutions globally.
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Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
You will also benefit from our culture of innovation and startup community. We’re helping IT entrepreneurs and innovators turn their ideas into startup enterprises with a bright future. Through the Innovation and Collaboration Centre (ICC), the University’s startup incubator, you have access to programs (such as Venture Catalyst), services and expertise including:
- Workshops
- One-on-one mentoring
- Office space for startups and entrepreneurs
- Access to a global pool of expert advisers
- Small funding stipends
- Events to kick-start ideas and competitions like hackathons
Additional info
Is this program suitable for information technology professionals?
Yes, this program is designed to produce graduates with specialist cybersecurity knowledge, skills and competencies. Developing cybersecurity expertise not only benefits from, but requires, a strong information technology background either gained through formal education and/or work experience. Please refer to the formal entry requirements for further details.
Can I do more than one course at a time?
Yes. Usually a full-time load is 36 units. To achieve a full-time load in the Master of Cybersecurity, like many other postgraduate degrees at UniSA, you will need to successfully complete four, 4.5 unit courses per semester. If you decide to reduce your course load, and it is less than 75% of a full-time load, you will be deemed to be a part-time student.
How much time will I need each week?
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for the scheduled lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals (or the online / intensive mode equivalent). Plus, you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and to contribute to online discussions. As a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate a total of 10 hours per week, per course.
How much contact will I have with the teaching staff and my fellow students?
Students studying internally will have many opportunities to work alongside fellow students during scheduled course components such as workshops, seminars and practicals and will have opportunities to meet with teaching staff on campus.
Your program director
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How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
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Where can I get further information?
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.
