Key facts
Duration
2 years 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 an increasingly digital world, a serious challenge facing organisations is how to deal with the dramatic increase and severity of cyber attacks. Professionals with cyber security skills are crucial for the ongoing success of our digital future and are in high demand globally.
The Master of Cyber Security (Professional) prepares you to meet this demand, equipping you with the skills to tackle cyber security challenges from both a technical and organisational perspective. The course equips you with in-demand cyber security skills and provides opportunities for you to undertake in-depth professional studies as part of your course. Choose one of three professional studies options: a team project, a professional placement, or a research project under the supervision of our internationally recognised research staff.
Want to combat cyber crime and cyber terrorism?
Addressing cyber attacks is integral to a wide variety of organisations and government departments, in the context of technology, law and ethics. With access to state-of-the-art software and hardware throughout the course, you will undertake studies from both a technical and organisational perspective. Explore system security, digital forensics and analytics through to organisational security, governance and policy skills. Vital hands-on experience ensures that you will gain the skills required to confidently investigate and combat cyber-crime and cyberterrorism.
You’ll graduate ready for a variety of security roles within business, government and law enforcement. Examples include risk analyst, information security specialist, security system developer or programmer, cyber security consultant, security systems manager, security consultant, information security auditor or security manager. Combined with experience, you could take on roles such as chief security officer.
This course is ideally suited to those who have completed an undergraduate degree in a similar discipline, such as information technology or computing.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Cyber Security (Professional)
- Year
2024 course information
- Deakin code
- S735
- CRICOS code?
- 093940G Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- 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 9.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Cyber Security (Professional), students must attain 16 credit points over 2 years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent). Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The course is structured in three parts:
- Part A: Mastery Cyber Security studies (8 credit points)
- Part B: Course electives (4 credit points)
- Part C: Professional studies (4 credit points)
The course comprises a total of 16 credit points, which must include the following:
- completion of DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- eight (8) credit points of core units
- four (4) level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective units (4 credit points) (excluding SIT771, SIT772, SIT773 and SIT774)
- four (4) credit points of Professional Studies.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
8
Core units
4
Course elective units
4
Professional Studies units
16
Total
Core
Mandatory unit for all entry levels
Part A: Mastery Cyber Security Studies
Part B: Course electives
Four (4) level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective units
Part C: Professional Studies
One (1) level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective (1 credit point)
OR
One (1) level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective (1 credit point)
OR
OR
One (1) level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective (1 credit point)
*Students undertaking this unit must have successfully completed STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point unit)
~ Note: Students are expected to undertake SIT764 and SIT782 in consecutive trimesters. Students should seek advice from the unit chair if they are unable to complete SIT764 and SIT782 consecutively.
^ Entry to SIT746 is subject to specific unit entry 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:
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
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.
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
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
You may have an opportunity to undertake a placement as part of your course. For more information, please visit deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.
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 from a recognised English-speaking country
- 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
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. 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.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
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
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
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 How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
Alternative exits
- Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security (S535)
- Graduate Diploma of Cyber Security (S635)
- Master of Cyber Security (S734)
Careers
Career outcomes
The rapid growth of cybercrime has created unparalleled opportunities for those with cyber
security expertise, with jobs in the Database & Systems Administrators & ICT Security sector
predicted to increase by 38.9% by November 2026*.
Career options are varied, 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.
*Jobs and Skills Australia, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026.
Professional recognition
The Master of Cyber Security (Professional) is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
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, evaluate, implement, and manage cyber security solutions for complex systems, organisations, platforms communication channels, and data, based on industry-accepted standards and best practice. Design, develop and implement advanced cyber systems and software, and associated policies and procedures for optimal use to withstand emerging attacks/threats in cyber space. Assess the role of cyber security in the context of modern organisations and society to add value. |
| Communication | Communicate effectively to design, evaluate, and respond to advances in technology in the cyber security context, future trends and industry standards and utilise a range of verbal, graphical and written forms, customised for diverse audiences including specialist and non- specialist clients, colleagues and industry personnel. |
| Digital literacy | Utilise a range of digital technologies and information sources to discover, select, analyse, synthesise, evaluate, critique, and disseminate both technical and professional information in the context of cyber security. |
| Critical thinking | Appraise complex information using critical and analytical thinking and judgement to identify problems, analyse user requirements and propose appropriate and innovative cybersecurity solutions. Evaluate the place and role of security systems, applications, and processes in organisational and societal contexts for reliability, usefulness, and the value they add to those contexts. |
| Problem solving | Generate cyber security solutions through the application of specialised theoretical constructs, expert skills, and critical analysis to real-world, ill-defined problems to develop appropriate and innovative cyber security solutions. |
| Self-management | Take personal, professional, and social responsibility within changing national and international professional IT and cybersecurity contexts; to develop autonomy as researchers and evaluate own performance for continuing professional development. Work autonomously and responsibly to create cyber security solutions to new situations and actively apply knowledge of theoretical constructs and methodologies to make informed decisions. |
| Teamwork | Work independently and collaboratively towards achieving the outcomes of a group project, thereby demonstrating interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, manage difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback, and demonstrate the ability to function effectively in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts. |
Approved by Faculty Board 23 September 2021