Master of Cybersecurity

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1 Course codes

2 Attendance pattern

The course will be offered as both full time and part time. A face-to-face offering will be available to domestic and international students, including student visa holders. A parallel online offering will not be available to student visa holders.

3 Master’s type

This master’s degree is a professional master’s course, as defined by the Coursework Policy.

4 Embedded courses in this sequence

(1)   The embedded courses in this sequence are:

(a) the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity

(b) the Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity

(c) the Master of Cybersecurity

(2)   Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence and receive full credit for work completed in the prior award. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.

5 Admission to candidature

(1)   Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria.

(2)   Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity requires:

(a)     A degree in a cognate discipline at a minimum of AQF level 7 with a minimum average of 60.

(3)   Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity requires:

(a)     A degree in a cognate discipline at a minimum of AQF level 7 with a minimum average of 60; or

(b)     Completion of 24 credit points of the embedded Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity with a minimum average of 60.

(4)   Admission to the Master of Cybersecurity requires:

(a)     A degree in a cognate discipline at a minimum of an AQF level 7 degree with at least a credit average; or

(b)     Completion of the requirements of the embedded Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity with a credit average, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent; or

(c)     Completion of 24 credit points of the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity including 12 credit points of Cybersecurity Core units of study and 12 credit points of Cybersecurity Specialist or Specialisation units of study with a minimum of credit average.

(5)   In exceptional circumstances the Dean or nominee may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

(6)   A cognate discipline must show significant study in IT or computer science areas, equivalent in volume of learning to a major or minor. This would include a degree in a discipline deemed cognate by the Program Directors, or a component within a degree not clearly in those disciplines.

6 Requirements for award

(1)   The units of study that may be taken for the courses are set out in Table A for the Master of Cybersecurity.

(2)   To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity candidates must complete 24 credit points of units of study including:

(a)   12 credit points of Cybersecurity Core units of study; and

(b)   12 credit points of Cybersecurity Specialist units of study.

(3)   To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity candidates must complete 48 credit points of units of study including:

(a)   12 credit points of Cybersecurity Core units of study; and

(b)   12 credit points of Professional Core units of study; and

(c)    a minimum of 18 credit points of Cybersecurity Specialist units of study; and

(d)   a maximum of 6 credit points of Foundation or Elective units of study.

(4)   To qualify for the award of the Master of Cybersecurity candidates must complete 72 credit points of units of study including:

(a)   For the Professional Pathway:

(i)          12 credit points of Cybersecurity Core units of study; and

(ii)         12 credit points of Professional Core units of study; and

(iii)        12 credit points of Capstone Project units of study; and either

(iv)        24 credit points of Specialisation units of study including 18 credit points of Specialisation Core and 6 credit points of Specialisation Selective units of study; or

(v)         24 credit points of unspecified Specialisation units of study; and

(vi)        a maximum of 6 credit points of Foundation units of study; and

(vii)       a maximum of 6 credit points of Elective units of study.

(b)   For the Research Pathway:

(i)          12 credit points of Cybersecurity Core units of study; and

(ii)         12 credit points of Professional Core units of study; and

(iii)        24 credit points of Research Pathway units of study; and

(iv)        24 credit points of Specialisation units of study including 18 credit points of Specialisation Core and 6 credit points of Specialisation Selective units of study; or

(v)         24 credit points of unspecified Specialisation units of study; and

(vi)        no credit points from the Foundation or Elective units of study.

7 Specialisations

(1)     Completion of a Specialisation is optional for the Master of Cybersecurity.

(2)     A Specialisation requires the completion of

(a) 18 credit points of Specialisation Core units of study and 6 credit points of Specialisation Selective units of study; and

(b) completion of a minimum of 12 credit points of capstone or research project units of study in the same area as the specialisation for the Master of Cybersecurity.

(3)     The specialisations available are:

(a) Cloud Security

(b) Cryptography and Blockchains

(c)  Data and Information Security

(4)     Candidates who choose the Research Pathway will be required to choose a project undertaken in an area related to the specialisation.

(5)     Candidates who choose not to take a specialisation sequence complete 24 credit points of Unspecified specialisation units of study.

8 Recognition of prior learning

(1)   Subject to the specific provisions of this clause, prior learning may be recognised consistently with the requirements of the Coursework Policy.

(2)   The School of Computer Science may award credit or reduced volume of learning to candidates who have completed relevant postgraduate study at the University of Sydney.

(3)   For all other candidates for the Master of Cybersecurity, recognition of prior learning may account for a maximum of 50 percent of the course requirements for the relevant award.

(4)   Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity will not be eligible for reduced volume of learning or credit.

(5)   Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity may be granted:

(a)   on the basis of an AQF level 8 degree or above in a cognate discipline:

(i)   up to 12 credit points of Professional Core units of study.

(ii) Where a waiver is granted for a Cybersecurity Core unit of study, another Cybersecurity Specialist unit of study must be taken.

(6)   Candidates for the Master of Cybersecurity may be granted:

(a)   on the basis of an AQF level 8 degree or above in a cognate discipline:

(i)   up to 24 credit points of reduced volume of learning which may be applied against units of study as specified by the School of Computer Science.

(ii) Where a waiver is granted for a Cybersecurity Core unit of study, another Cybersecurity Specialist unit of study must be taken.

(7)  Credit will not be granted for foundation level units of study.

9 Progression rules

(1)     A candidate for the Professional Pathway in the Master of Cybersecurity must complete a minimum of 12 credit points from Cybersecurity Core and 18 credit points from Cybersecurity Specialist or Specialisation Core units of study before enrolling in Capstone Project units of study.

(2)     A candidate for the Research Pathway in the Master of Cybersecurity must

(a)   complete a minimum of 12 credit points from Cybersecurity Core and a minimum of 6 credit points from Cybersecurity Specialist or Specialisation Core units of study with a minimum distinction average; and

(b)   enrol in 12 credit points from Cybersecurity Specialist or Specialisation Core units of study prior to or concurrently with Research Methods.

10 Cross-institutional study

(1)   Cross-institutional study is not available in these courses except where the University of Sydney has a formal cooperation agreement with another university.

11 International exchange

(1) International exchange and study abroad programs are not available to candidates enrolled in the Online versions of the Master of Cybersecurity, Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity, or Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity.

12 Award of the master’s degree, graduate diploma and graduate certificate

(1)   The master’s degree, graduate diploma and graduate certificate will be awarded in the pass grade.

(2)   The testamur for the Master of Cybersecurity will specify the specialisation completed.

13 Course transfer

(1)   A candidate for the Graduate Diploma of Cybersecurity degree may elect to discontinue study and graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the Graduate Certificate have been met.

(2)   A candidate for the Master of Cybersecurity degree may elect to discontinue study and graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the Graduate Certificate have been met.

(3)   A candidate for the Master of Cybersecurity degree may elect to discontinue study and graduate with the Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the Graduate Diploma have been met.

14 Commencement of these resolutions

(1)   These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2024. 

(2) All students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2024 should complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time to their commencement.