University of Queensland
Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
Study specialised topics such as cryptography, cyber criminology, cyber defence and leadership.
Course overview
This one-year postgraduate program aims to create specialists with a deep understanding of cyber security’s impact on every aspect of modern life and to empower cyber security leaders for a resilient, more productive digital future.
You'll undertake advanced-level courses covering a range of key topics. You'll learn about the world's major cyber security challenges and a range of responses, including technical, policy, organisational, governance and geopolitical.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
26th July, 2027
What you will study
At UQ, a unit represents the value of individual courses that contribute to the total unit requirements of a program. Most UQ courses have a value of two units, though some may vary depending on the program or course structure.
To earn the Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security, you must complete 16 units or eight courses, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units.
Core units
- Fundamentals of Cyber Security
- Information Security Essentials
- Cyber Security Governance, Policy, Ethics and Law
- Cyber Criminology and Global Security
Field of study
Complete eight units from one of the following fields of study:
- Cryptography
- Cyber Defence
- Leadership
Visit The University of Queensland’s website for the complete breakdown of each field of study.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Applicants must meet both the general academic requirements and the additional requirements for their intended field of study.
General academic requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, a graduate certificate, a graduate diploma or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
- Have achieved a GPA of at least 4.5 on UQ’s seven-point scale in their previous qualification.
Cyber Defence requirements
Relevant disciplines include computer science, information technology, computer engineering, mechatronics, electrical and electronic engineering, mathematics and software engineering.
Applicants must also have successfully completed previous study in at least three of the following areas: applied cryptography, computer networking, databases, web application programming, operating systems, concurrency, distributed systems, cloud computing, mobile application development, the Internet of Things, systems administration or introductory programming.
Cryptography requirements
Relevant disciplines include mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, actuarial science and information technology.
Applicants must also have successfully completed previous study in at least three of the following areas: number theory, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, engineering mathematics, combinatorics, probability and statistics, calculus, set theory or mathematical logic.
Leadership requirements
Relevant disciplines include commerce, management, business, accounting, information technology, computer science and leadership.
Applicants must also have at least five years of supervisory or management experience. Relevant experience may include managing people or teams, client accounts or major projects, resource planning or direct responsibility for financial delegations.
English language requirements
Applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency, such as:
- An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0.
- A TOEFL iBT overall score of 87, with at least 19 in listening, 19 in reading, 21 in writing and 19 in speaking.
- A PTE Academic overall score of 64, with at least 60 in each communicative skill.
- Another form of evidence accepted by the university.
OET is not accepted for this course. Contact the university for further information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Potential career outcomes include:
- Cyber Risk and Governance Consultant
- Penetration Tester
- Cyber Security Analyst
- IT Security Specialist
- Cyber Security Designer
- Risk and Compliance Analyst
- Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
- Incident Response Manager
- Cyber Security Policy Officer
- Domain Security Architect
Fees and CSP
Indicative total fee in 2026: $11,245 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.