Discover more about studying our Master of Complex Systems degree, the only of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Our rankings
Ranked 65th globally for engineering and technology by the 2021 QS University Rankings by Subject
Our graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th globally for employability by the 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
The Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems will provide you with an introduction to the analysis and design of technological, socioeconomic and socioecological systems. Smart cities, megaprojects, power and data grids, ecosystems, communication and transport networks are all complex systems that generate rich interactions among components with interdependencies across systems. This interdependent behaviour challenges for designing and managing complex systems.
This program will introduce you to system dynamics, modelling and simulation. It will help you gain further knowledge in the fields of engineering, computer science, information technology, physics, mathematics, health, biology or business, while training you to apply systems thinking in these fields. The graduate diploma will provide you with the skills to operate across disciplinary boundaries, in environments outside the experience of most professionals, particularly in major multinational research and development companies, governments and crisis-management agencies and large health, construction and transport organisations.
The core units of study cover quantitative fields of large-scale networks, interdependent civil systems, self-organisation and criticality, statistics and stability analysis. You may also choose some electives in the fields of engineering, ecology, biosecurity or transport.
Successful completion of the eight units of study (one year full-time) with a credit average will allow you to progress to the Master of Complex Systems.
This course has no specialisation or major.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems complete 48 credit points, consisting of:
• 24 credit points in foundational core units of study
• At least 12 credit points of core Complex Systems units of study (excluding capstone units)
• A maximum of 12 credit points of elective units of study.
To be eligible for admission, an applicant is required to have:
*A quantitative discipline includes data science, computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, economics, finance or other disciplines that are deemed equivalent. As a guideline, the curriculum of a quantitative discipline should include some study of mathematics or statistics at the tertiary level.
For qualifications awarded outside Australia, equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution and qualification.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
