University of Queensland
Master of Cyber Security
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Advance beyond technical cyber security skills to assess emerging threats, guide organisational responses and specialise in Cyber Defence, Cryptography or Leadership through an interdisciplinary master’s degree.
Course overview
The University of Queensland’s Master of Cyber Security prepares graduates and professionals to address complex security challenges from technological, organisational and policy perspectives. You will strengthen your strategic understanding while gaining the specialist capabilities to evaluate and respond to evolving cyber threats.
Explore information security, cyber criminology, governance, ethics and law before specialising in Cyber Defence, Cryptography or Leadership. Depending on your chosen field, you may examine artificial intelligence, cloud security and incident response, investigate cryptographic systems and quantum computing, or learn to guide technical teams and implement cyber security initiatives.
Delivered at UQ’s St Lucia campus, the program can be completed in 1.5 or two years, depending on your previous qualifications. Laboratory work, seminars and collaboration with students from technology, business, mathematics, social science and law support an integrated learning experience. A two-part industry- or research-based capstone project enables you to apply your knowledge to a substantial cyber security challenge.
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 Master of Cyber Security, you must complete 32 units, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units. The structure below is based on the two-year pathway. Students eligible for the 1.5-year pathway complete 24 units of study, with eight units recognised as approved prior study and/or work experience.
Students must complete 32 units comprising:
- Eight units of core courses
- Sixteen units from one plan option in Cyber Defence, Cryptography or Leadership
- Six units of capstone courses
- Two units from approved program electives
Complete the following:
- Fundamentals of Cyber Security
- Information Security Essentials
- Cyber Security Governance, Policy, Ethics and Law
- Cyber Criminology and Global Security
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Two-year pathway
To be eligible for entry, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master’s degree in any discipline, or have completed three years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution with a formal pathway to the Master of Cyber Security
- Have achieved a GPA of at least 5.0 on UQ’s seven-point scale in the previous qualification
Applicants selecting the Leadership field must also have at least two years of supervisory or management experience. This may include responsibility for teams, client accounts, major projects, resource planning or financial delegations.
1.5-year pathway
To be eligible for entry, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master’s degree in a relevant discipline
- Have achieved a GPA of at least 5.0 on UQ’s seven-point scale in the previous qualification
- Meet the additional requirements for the intended field of study
Cyber Defence
Relevant disciplines include computer science, information technology, computer engineering, mechatronics, electrical and electronic engineering, mathematics and software engineering.
Applicants must also have completed at least three relevant areas, such as applied cryptography, computer networking, databases, web application programming, operating systems, concurrency, distributed systems, cloud computing, mobile app development, internet of things, systems administration or introductory programming.
Cryptography
Relevant disciplines include mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, actuarial science and information technology.
Applicants must also have completed at least three relevant areas, such as number theory, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, engineering mathematics, combinatorics, probability and statistics, calculus, set theory or mathematical logic.
Leadership
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, including responsibility for teams, client accounts, major projects, resource planning or financial delegations.
Inherent requirements
Students must meet the program’s inherent requirements by demonstrating the essential skills and attributes needed to complete the degree. Applicants should review these requirements before applying.
English language requirements
Applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency through at least one accepted option, including:
- IELTS Academic: overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component
- TOEFL iBT: overall score of 87, with at least 19 in listening, 19 in reading, 21 in writing and 19 in speaking
- PTE Academic: overall score of 64, with at least 60 in each communicative skill
- Bridging English: minimum overall grade of 4, with at least a grade of C in each macro skill
- Cambridge English Scale: overall score of 176, with at least 169 in each skill
OET is not accepted.
Other approved qualifications and pathways may also be used to meet UQ’s English language requirements. 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.
Students eligible for the 1.5-year pathway complete 24 units of study, with eight units recognised as approved prior study and/or work experience. 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
- Forensic analyst
- Risk and compliance analyst
- Cloud infrastructure engineer
- Incident response manager
- Cyber security policy officer
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual 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.