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Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Online

Duration

8 months part-time

SATAC Code

GCCSE

Fees

Eligible for Fee-HELP. Learn more

Start date

March 2024

Study mode

Online

Course Overview

Quickly and confidently respond to the urgent demand for cyber security professionals in Australia.  

Obtain a highly reputable cyber security graduate certificate to demonstrate your ability to boost organisational resilience against cyber criminals and gain experience and training using a wide range of cyber security tools and techniques drawn from today’s real-world business contexts, 100% online. 

Why study cyber security with us?

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Real experiences

Hone your cyber security skills through experiencing
authentic scenarios. 

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Industry-aligned curriculum

We work with industry and government representatives to ensure cyber security coursework is relevant and up-to-the-minute. 

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World-renowned university

Announce your reliability and enduring capabilities 
with a Group of Eight qualification.

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Hone expertise

Train alongside a community of mid-career 
IT professionals who are also 
passionate about protecting Australia's
digital future from cyber attacks.

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Master technology

Cyber security is a management process and a technical challenge. Master both with certified cyber security courses. 

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Workforce ready

Study online and complete  this cyber security program in only eight months - while you keep working. 

Flexible online learning for cyber security

Studying a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security online gives you the freedom to study on your terms. Gain essential skills to work as a cyber security technician, compliance advisor, policy maker and other entry level roles, and become workplace ready in 8 months.

Six week teaching periods: Upskill faster by completing one computer and cyber security subject every six weeks.  

The University of Adelaide has partnered with Pearson, the world’s leading global learning company, to deliver this degree 100% online. The Partnership has been established to deliver the very best experience and learning outcomes to all our students. Students will be awarded a University of Adelaide qualification and this degree meets the University's highest quality standards. 

Request a brochure

Cyber security tools

Kali Linux

Kali Linux

Experience using the most popular security Linux distribution that comes pre-loaded with many security assessment and computer forensics tools.

Virtual Hack Lab

Virtual Hack Lab

Connect to our Virtual Hack Lab environment via an OpenVPN client installed by default on Kali Linux.

HackInBox

Online Penetration Testing Environments

Use various online platforms (like HackInBox) to test and advance your skills in penetration testing and cyber security.

real case studies

Real case studies

Real case studies and applications are used in all four cyber security courses through expert guest speakers working in cyber security industry and government roles.

What will my cyber security assignments be?

All cyber security assessments and coursework are 100% online. Types of assessments include:

  • quizzes
  • case studies
  • scenarios
  • simulations.   

Download a brochure to learn more. 

Cyber security career paths and opportunities

Cyber crime costs Australian businesses $29 billion per year. The Australian Federal and state governments continue to heavily invest in cyber security to protect Australia’s digital infrastructure and reduce national security risks. Apply now and help develop policy and guidelines tomorrow.   

Request a brochure

Healthcare is increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals. Strengthen and monitor the health sector’s systems by conducting checks and benchmark data - using your skills gained from this cyber security graduate certificate. 

Request a brochure

Australia’s financial services companies are the largest users of cyber security in the country. They account for almost one-third of the nationwide security demand. Follow this career path and become an analyst who spots network security vulnerabilities and improves the design and the delivery of services.   

Request a brochure

University of Adelaide cyber security program information

  • Political institutions and policy-making - POLIS 7024OL

    This cyber security course covers policy making principles in Australia. Learn about the political context in which debates about cyber security and other international relations issues take place; which will guide your work as a cyber security practitioner. In this course, you will learn how institutions: 

    • define a problem  
    • set an agenda 
    • communicate to the primary political actors and stakeholders  
    • influence institutional decision-making 
    • implement and review policy. 

    View course outline

  • Business data and cyber security - COMMGMT 7023OL

    Protecting valuable business data requires constant cybersecurity awareness and vigilance. In this cyber security course you will discover common vulnerabilities, decision making factors and problem solving methods to confidently address and communicate cyber security threats. 

    View course outline

  • Cyber security fundamentals - COMP SCI 7308OL

    Experience the real-world cyber security challenges that organisations face and the best ways to address them – through examining both an attacker's and defender’s perspective. 

    Hear about common attack and defence strategies used against software, web applications, networks, operating systems, cryptographic systems as well as people’s behaviour. The course will also introduce cybersecurity management concepts, including:  

    • security operations  
    • risk management 
    • security engineering  
    • security architecture. 

    Hear about the vast array of exciting career paths available to you in the cyber security field. 

    View course outline

  • Information risks, threats and controls - COMMGMT 7025OL

    Cyber security risk management and assurance are critical to all aspects of all businesses – from finance, branding, legal, OH&S to operations - and this course focuses on critical infrastructure and enterprise-level threats.  

    Learn about the vulnerabilities the digital age has introduced from a broad organisational-wide perspective, and how these impacts can be mitigated with assessments, policies and implementation plans.  

    View course outline

Academic requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Cyber Security, you need to meet one of the following requirements: 

  1. Bachelor of Computer Science (or an equivalent Information Technology degree) and a GPA of 4.5  

OR  

  1. relevant work experience of at least 3 years in Computer Science or Cyber Security roles  

OR  

  1. diploma or above in networking and IT plus 2 years relevant work experience. 
     

Don’t have programming experience? 

To excel in the applied nature of our cyber security postgraduate programs, all our students require some experience with a programming language. If you don’t have this experience, we offer the course Foundations of Computer Science – Python A (COMP SCI 7210OL) in place of Political Institutions and Policy-Making (POLIS 7024OL). Our friendly admissions team will guide you through the enrolment process once your application has been accepted. 


FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE – PYTHON A (COMP SCI 7210OL) 
This course will develop your coding and problem-solving skills with a focus on data and data science. You will learn algorithm design as well as fundamental programming concepts such as data, selection, iteration and functional decomposition, data abstraction and organisation. You will build fundamental software development skills including the use of the Python programming language and tools, debugging, testing and fundamentals of good programming practice, style and design. 

View course outline
 

English language requirements  

In order to meet the English language proficiency requirements for our 100% online postgraduate programs, you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the minimum English Language requirements.

Typically, if English is your first language you will not be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. You will also not be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency if you are an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident (visa status) or hold a passport from one of the following countries: Canada (English-speaking provinces only), New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

To learn more, visit the English Language Proficiency Requirements for detailed information about these requirements, including acceptable English language tests.

We also recommend that you speak to an Enrolment Advisor to discuss options that are specific to your circumstances. You can schedule a call here.

What is the total cost?

The total cost of the online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security is $13,992 or $3,498 per course (2024 pricing).

Find more information on fees for domestic students, including annual fees and fee increases, in the Fees (domestic students) section.

 

Is there FEE-HELP available?

Yes, Australian citizens are eligible for a HELP loan. You must also be enrolled in a postgraduate program with the University of Adelaide by the enrolment deadline (census), and have not reached the HELP loan limit.  Once you have been offered a place in a University of Adelaide program, you will be able to apply for a HELP loan as a part of the enrolment process. Please see our FAQs section for further details.