In a nutshell
Build your cyber mindset to secure your future with the online Master of Cyber Security at UNSW.
Did you know that Australians report a cyber security incident every 10 minutes? This has led to a rise in demand for professionals to develop systems that offer safety and security for businesses and everyday Australians who are reliant on digital platforms.
This course will offer you the know-how to create programs that will help you provide safe and secure online experiences. You’ll have the option to select from either the Management and Leadership specialisation or Security Engineering specialisation within this program to further develop your expertise and diversify your career options.
Created and led by academics who are at the forefront of the industry, this course will give students a comprehensive understanding of both the current state of, and future directions of cyber security.
Designed with the busy individual in mind, this 100% online course allows you to learn each subject in eight-week blocks, allowing you to accelerate your studies and graduate in two years.
What you’ll need
To be eligible to study this course, applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
Specialisation: Management and Leadership
- Have completed a recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline (e.g. Engineering, Business, Science, Leadership, Policy) with a WAM of 65 or greater as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator; OR
- Have four years of relevant experience* with demonstrated skills and ability in leadership. Refer to the program page for relevant experience for the Management and Leadership Specialisation; AND
- Be proficient in the English language.
*Relevant experience for the Management and Leadership specialisation includes, but is not limited to, the following roles: Business Systems Analyst, Front end developer, Application coder, Game designer, Cyber Security Analyst, Software Developer, Consultant in Risk or Business, Penetration Tester, Security Team Manager, Digital Forensics specialist, Cyber Security Change and Awareness Manager, Cyber Security Outreach Trainer, Private Investigator, Specialist Police and Military roles, Financial Analyst, Forensic Accountant, Computer Systems or Information Auditor, Data Privacy, Electronics Technician, Project Manager, Executive Officer, Technical Manager, Analyst.
Specialisation: Cyber Security (Security Engineering)
- Have completed a recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline (e.g. Computer Science, Science or Engineering or a degree containing considerable mathematics and/or statistics courses) with a WAM of 65 or greater as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator; OR
- Have four years of relevant experience* with demonstrated skills and ability in leadership. Refer to the program page for relevant experience for the Security Engineering Specialisation; AND
- Be proficient in the English language.
*Relevant experience for the Security Engineering specialisation includes, but is not limited to, the following roles: Business Systems Analyst, Front End Developer, Application Coder, Game Designer, Cyber Security Analyst, Software Developer, Consultant in Risk or Business, Penetration Tester, Security Team Manager, Digital Forensics Specialist, Cyber Security Change and Awareness Manager, Cyber Security Outreach Trainer, Private Investigator, Specialist Police and Military roles, Financial Analyst, Forensic Accountant, Computer Systems or Information Auditor, Data Privacy, Electronics Technician, Project Manager, Executive Officer, Technical Manager, Analyst, Systems Administrator, Network or Telecommunications Engineer.
Entry via nested qualification
- For those who do not qualify for direct entry into the master’s program, you may be eligible for entry into the Graduate Certificate in Data Science or the Graduate Diploma in Data Science. Generally, if you successfully complete the Graduate Certificate and/or the Graduate Diploma with a WAM of 65 or above, you can progress to the Masters.
Subject summary
In this cyber security course, the subjects you may study include:
Foundation Subjects:
- Foundations of Cyber Security
- Data Security and Privacy^
- Cyber Security Ethics
- Principles of Security Engineering
Specialisation electives:
Management and Leadership
- Cyber Operations ^
- Cyber and the Law ^ C
- Cyber Management and Governance^
- Cyber Threats and Crime^
Security Engineering
- Cloud Security^
- Penetration Testing^
- Advanced Penetration Testing^*
- Reverse Engineering^#+
- Digital Forensics^#
General electives:
- Cyber Risk & Resilience^
- Fundamentals of Coding: C and Assembler
- Operation Systems Fundamentals^+
Free electives
The remaining two free electives may be chosen from any subject in any stream offered in the program (subject to prerequisites being met), or any other approved electives from outside the program.
Specialisation Capstone
Choose either:
- Management and Leadership Capstone^
- Security Engineering Capstone^
^Pre-requisite: Foundations of Cyber Security. *Pre-requisite: Penetration Testing. #Pre-requisure: Operating System Fundamentals. +Pre-requisite: Fundamentals of Coding: C and Assembler
Why UNSW Online?

Study 100% Online with UNSW. A World Leader.
UNSW is a globally recognised leader in education, with a focus on industry applicable programs. When you study online with UNSW, you can expect to learn from world-class academics and collaborate with ambitious, like-minded individuals.
Study at Australia’s Global University. Anywhere, anytime.
Studying online at UNSW means that you have the flexibility to shape your studies to fit your life and career goals. The programs have been designed with busy working professionals in mind so you can study one course at a time, 100% online & accelerated, whilst working full-time.
Designed by Industry for Industry.
The UNSW online programs have been developed in close consultation with industry experts equipping you with applicable and career-related skills. UNSW is ranked in the top 3 universities in Australia for graduate employability, and is 27th in the world (QS University World Rankings by Graduate Employability, 2020) with each program offering advanced disciplinary depth, giving you access to the latest thinking and current research.
Student Admissions Advisors:
Investing in the right program for you is important to us and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Our Student Enrolment Advisors are available to assist you with all your program and enrolment queries.
Student Success Advisors:
Studying online does not mean studying alone. We are here to help you make your difference. Throughout your study journey, you will be able to turn to your Student Success Advisor (SSA), who is committed to assisting you at every stage, from enrolment through to graduation. Your SSA is on hand to help with all non-academic queries by phone or email.