Key facts
Duration
0.5 year full-time
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
In today's digital world – where technology is central to business, government and daily life – cyber security threats are a major challenge across many industry sectors. And as cyber-attacks are becoming everyday occurrences, cyber security professionals are in increasing demand globally.
Through the Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security, you will learn how to identify, diagnose and manage the challenges of cyber security threats, and graduate ready for a successful cyber security career anywhere in the world.
Focusing on a range of key industry-relevant areas, you will develop knowledge and expertise about system security and digital forensics, analytics and organisational security.
This course gives you the cyber security skills that are crucial to the success of our digital future. You will graduate equipped with the knowledge and talent to take on an expert security role within business, government or law enforcement.
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security
- Year
2024 course information
- Deakin code
- S535
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security, students must attain 4 credit points (one year part- time study), which must include the following:
- four (4) core units (4 credit points)
- completion of DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit point compulsory unit).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
*This course can only be completed part-time for T3.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online studies.
Additional course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Try this course for free
Interested in a free taster of this course?
A two-week block of this course is available free on FutureLearn, an easy-to-use online learning platform. Try it out and discover just how flexible and rewarding online learning with Deakin can be. You’ve got nothing to lose!
Choose from two free course trials on FutureLearn:
- Cyber Security for Small and Medium Enterprises - find out more
- Competitive Advantage: Using Information to Build Business Success - find out more
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline and at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
- completion of a Graduate Certificate of Information Technology or equivalent
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you’re able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year in which they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the International students applications page.
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Application Portal, or by email. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the International students applications page.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
After successfully completing your graduate certificate, you can continue your study by using the credit points you’ve earned to enter the:
Careers
Career outcomes
Graduate with the skills needed to thrive in a booming industry and help secure our digital future from a university ranked in the top 1% globally for computer science and information systems*
Career options are varied so you could work anywhere in the world as a:
- security analyst
- project manager
- security system manager
- security consultant
- security system developer or programmer information security auditor
- business continuity or IT security engineer.
*2022 ShanghaiRankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop specialised and essential knowledge of security needs for design and development of secure systems, processes, concepts, and technologies; to develop software systems, products and solutions that automate business processes at par with benchmarks and industry standards and based on evolving cyber security needs. |
| Communication | Communicate secure solutions as appropriate to the context to inform, motivate and effect change utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse technical and non-technical audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Use digital media to locate, collect and evaluate information from technical sources and apply cyber security discipline knowledge to identify approaches and solutions that meet the requirements of real-world organisations in the context of the evolving cyber threat landscape. |
| Critical thinking | Use the frameworks of logical and analytical thinking to evaluate specialist computing assets, technical problems, and user requirements, and develop approaches to develop innovative solutions for real-world practice of cybersecurity. |
| Problem solving | Develop secure, research-informed solutions through investigation of technical and business problem domains; and execute projects to improve services and user experiences. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate ability to understand and apply ethical standards and work professionally and autonomously to identify processes for continuous improvement; manage projects whilst incorporating professional development needs. |
Approved by Faculty Board 23 September 2021