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 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
This course will be available to study remotely for students commencing in Semester 1, 2021. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
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.
Semester 1 - 11 February 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 (March) 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 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 30 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 (March) 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.
