Key facts
Duration
2 years full-time – 16 credit points (fast tracked to 18 months continuous study)
Locations
This course is delivered at our GIFT City campus, India. It is only available to applicants who hold Indian citizenship for study at GIFT City. This course is not available to international students studying onshore at campuses in Australia or as Online students.
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 world, as everything turns digital, cyber threats are becoming an increasingly big problem for companies everywhere. The Master of Cyber Security (Professional) is designed to help you tackle these challenges head-on. You will learn how to protect our digital world and be ready to deal with cyber-attacks. This course covers both the technical and organisational aspects of cyber security, preparing you for the growing field of cyber warfare.
Immerse yourself in cutting-edge cyber security methodologies, get equipped with in-demand skills, and gain hands-on experience. You will build your confidence through the pursuit of 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.
Ready to defend against the unseen threats lurking in our digital world?
Cybercrime and cyber terrorism pose substantial risks across organisations and government departments, in the context of technology, law and ethics. Throughout the course, you will access state-of-the-art software and hardware while exploring topics from system security, digital forensics, and analytics through to organisational security, governance, and policy skills. Elevate your understanding through practical learning opportunities designed to mirror real-world scenarios. With a focus on applied learning, you will hone your investigative prowess and develop the critical skills needed to combat cyber threats effectively.
Ideal for those who have completed an undergraduate degree in a similar discipline, such as information technology or computing, the Master of Cyber Security (Professional) is a tailored pathway to cyber security mastery. Embrace a future-ready education that not only equips you with technical skills but also fosters a deep understanding of ethical and legal considerations vital in today's digital age.
Once you graduate, you might step into security roles in business, government, or law enforcement. Whether you aspire to be a security analyst, information security auditor, or security consultant, this course will prepare you for a diverse career. Combined with experience, you will be primed for leadership roles, including chief security officer, as you navigate the ever-evolving cyber landscape.
Embrace the challenge of safeguarding our digital frontier and emerge as a cyber security leader equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital world with confidence and expertise.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Cyber Security (Professional)
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- S735A
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Part A: Fundamental Cyber Security Studies
Part B: Mastery Cyber Security Studies
Part C: Course electives
4 level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective units
Course Electives (available at GIFT City)
Course Electives (available online)
Part D: Professional Studies
Team Project
1 level 7 SIT or MIS-coded elective (1 credit point)#
OR
Professional Practice
OR
Research Project^
Plus 1 unit (2 credit points) from the following:
*Students undertaking this unit must have successfully completed STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point unit)
+ Entry is subject to specific unit entry requirements.
#Refer to course electives list
^Students interested in pursuing a Higher Degree by Research, including a Masters by Research or PhD are encouraged to undertake the Professional Studies – Research Project pathway and consider using their electives to undertake additional research units (e.g. SIT724, SIT746 and/or SIT747). Students are encouraged to contact Student Central and speak to a course advisor if they are interested in pursuing this option.
Intakes by location
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- GIFT City, India
This course is delivered at our GIFT City campus, India. It is only available to applicants who hold Indian citizenship for study at GIFT City. This course is not available to international students studying onshore at campuses in Australia or as Online students.
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.
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)
Applicants may be invited to attend an interview as part of the selection process
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Total course fee for 2025 is not currently available.
All course fees are shown in Australian dollars (AUD) and are calculated on the basis of actual credit points of study undertaken. Course fees are exclusive of accommodation fees and charges, should such be required.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in 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 you have.
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 this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
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 international student fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Research Information
Students interested in pursuing a Higher Degree by Research, including a Masters by Research or PhD are encouraged to undertake the Professional Studies – Research Project pathway and consider using their electives to undertake additional research units (e.g. SIT724, SIT746 and/or SIT747). Students are encouraged to contact Student Central and speak to a course advisor if they are interested in pursuing this option.
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. The number of database and systems administrators, and ICT security specialists, is predicted to increase by 38.9% by November 2026*.
Cyber security is not just limited to the realm of IT. It exists in health, science, automotive, agriculture, and much more. Other areas might include government, military, banking, telecommunications, and retail. Wherever digital information is present, there is a need for specialists to combat cybercrime and cyber terrorism. After completing this degree, you will have the skills to carve out your niche in an ever-evolving landscape.
Career options are varied, with opportunities to work anywhere in the world as a:
- business continuity or IT security engineer
- security analyst
- security consultant
- security system manager
- security consultant
- security system developer or programmer
- information security auditor
- infrastructure specialist
- incident response analyst.
- security operations manager
- operations support analyst
- penetration tester
- security architect
- security operations centre (SOC) analyst.
*Jobs and Skills Australia, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026.
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 in professional and other contexts to inform, explain and drive sustainable innovation through cyber security and to motivate and effect change by drawing upon advances in technology, future trends and industry standards, and by utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences including specialist and non-specialist clients, industry personnel and other stakeholders. |
| Digital literacy | Identify, evaluate, select and use advanced digital technologies, platforms, frameworks, and tools from the field of cyber security to generate, manage, process and share digital resources and justify digital tools selection to influence others. |
| Critical thinking | Questions assumptions and seeks to uncover inconsistencies and ambiguities in information and judgements, critically evaluates their sources and rationales, to inform and justify decision making in the field of cyber security. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of cyber security and apply expert, specialised cognitive, technical, and creative skills from cyber security to understand requirements and design, implement, operate, and evaluate solutions to complex real-world and ill-defined computing problems. |
| Self-management | Apply reflective practice and work independently to apply knowledge and skills in a professional manner to complex situations and ongoing learning in the field of cyber security with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility, and personal and professional accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. |
| Teamwork | Work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary environments to achieve team goals, contributing specialist knowledge and skills from cyber security to advance the teams objectives, employing effective teamwork practices and principles to cultivate creative thinking, interpersonal adeptness, leadership skills, and handle challenging discussions, while excelling in diverse professional, social, and cultural scenarios. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional and ethical behaviour in the field of cyber security, with appreciation for the global context, and openly and respectfully collaborate with diverse communities and cultures. |