Key facts
Duration
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 are closed.
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025
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 daily life – cyber security threats are a major challenge across many industry sectors. With cyber-attacks becoming more frequent, cybersecurity skills are crucial for the success of our digital future, and professionals in this field are in high demand globally.
Through the Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security, you will learn how to identify, diagnose and manage 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 expertise in system security and digital forensics, analytics and organisational security. You will graduate equipped with the knowledge and talent to take on an expert security role within business, government or law enforcement.
Are you driven to safeguard data and networks in an ever-changing cyber landscape?
Cybercrime costs Australian companies billions of dollars each year. To protect against this, the demand for cyber security professionals is projected to grow by more than 20% over the next decade.* Skilled professionals are needed across government, finance, tech, education, communications and entertainment industries, and more. You will graduate with promising career opportunities, equipped with strategies to protect digital assets and the people who rely on them.
In the Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security, you will learn from experienced lecturers, benefit from Deakin’s cutting-edge facilities, and have access to leading industry partners. You will delve deep into the principles, practices and technologies involved in protecting digital systems and networks. These cover the entire spectrum of protection, from governance and maintenance to physical and remote access, monitoring, and reporting.
You will gain the vital skills to identify vulnerabilities in digital systems, implement effective security measures and responding to cyber incidents. Additionally, you will enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication abilities, which are indispensable in the field of cyber security.
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- S535
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- 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 pass 4 credit points, which must include the following:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- 4 core units (4 credit points).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core
It is important to ensure your course plan meets the course rules detailed above. Students should contact Student Central for assistance with course planning, choosing the right units and understanding course rules.
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
*Full time or part-time available
Trimester 2* - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
*Only part-time available
Trimester 3* - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
*Only part-time available
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.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing 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.
Entry requirements
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 academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
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).
*Related to the broad field of Information Technology.
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 are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
Deakin 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 with Deakin, 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 with Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning Page which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin degree and how to apply for credit.
Recognition of prior learning may be granted to applicants based on prior studies and/or equivalent industry experience.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year 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. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four 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 fees and available payment options.
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
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Pathways
After successfully completing your graduate certificate, you can continue your study by using the credit points you’ve earned to enter the:
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
13,000+ new jobs in cyber security and systems admin by 2033*
Victoria’s #1 university for course satisfaction^
Top 250 worldwide for computer science and information systems#
Learn in our world-class facilities and labs
Career outcomes
Graduate from a university ranked in the top 250 globally for computer science and information systems*
Leave with the skills needed to thrive in a booming industry and help secure our digital future.
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 in a professional context to inform, explain and drive sustainable innovation through cyber security and to motivate and effect change, utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Identify, select and use digital technologies, platforms, frameworks, and tools from the field of cyber security to generate, manage, process and share digital resources. |
| Critical thinking | Evaluate and critically analyse information provided and their sources to inform decision making and evaluation of plans and solutions associated with the field of cyber security. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced cognitive, technical, and creative skills from cyber security to understand requirements and design, implement, operate, and evaluate solutions to real-world and ill-defined computing problems. |
| Self-management | Work independently to apply knowledge and skills in a professional manner to new situations and/or further learning in the field of cyber security with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility, and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. |
Footnotes
*Jobs and Skills Australia, National Employment Projections 2023 to 2033
^Australian Graduate Survey 2010–2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2023, Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)
#QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024