Before You Start
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
Program code: UOA-GCCY
Applying for an online program with the University of Adelaide is a quick and easy process. Check out the steps below to learn more or get started now by creating an account.
Step 1 – Check your eligibility
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Cyber Security, you need to meet one of the following requirements:
-
Bachelor of Computer Science (or an equivalent Information Technology degree) and a GPA of 4.5
OR
-
relevant work experience of at least 3 years in Computer Science or Cyber Security roles
OR
-
diploma or above in networking and IT plus 2 years relevant work experience.
Pathway for students without programming experience
To excel in the applied nature of our cyber security postgraduate programs, all our students require some experience with a programming language. If you don’t have this experience, we offer the course Foundations of Computer Science – Python A (COMP SCI 7210OL) in place of Political Institutions and Policy-Making (POLIS 7024OL). Our friendly admissions team will guide you through the enrolment process once your application has been accepted.
Please call our online admissions team on 1300 241 539 if you require any assistance with the above entry requirements (Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 8.30 pm and Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (ACST/ACDT).
Step 2 - Create an account and apply
- Confirm the application close date of the next teaching period by checking the Important Dates page to avoid missing out.
- Create an account via the University of Adelaide Application Portal
- Complete application form and upload supporting documents which include:
- valid photo ID (passport or driver's licence)
- proof of citizenship / permanent residency
- transcripts from your complete bachelor's degree, diploma or certificate (if applicable)
- change of name documents if applicable (e.g marriage certificate)
- English language requirements (if you are an international applicant).
Don’t worry if you do not have all of the required documents yet. You can still create an account and return at a later date to complete your application.
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll be hearing from our admissions team who will confirm the outcome of your application.
Step 3 - Write your ‘description of duties’
You will need to include a 250-word (maximum) statement about your relevant work experience in the Employment History section of the application portal.
This description helps us assess whether you meet the ‘relevant work experience’ entry requirement, which we define as full-time employment in a computer science or cyber security role. Please include a detailed description of your duties and relevant professional experience.
Please note: The following documents cannot be used to demonstrate your ‘relevant work experience’:
- employer references
- duty statements
- performance appraisal reports
- payslips
- group certificates
- superannuation benefits statements.
Step 4 - Enrol
If your application is successful, you will then need to enrol in preparation for the start of the teaching period. You’ll need to register for a student ID and activate your student email address. The EnrolMe System will then guide you through the process of enrolling into your first course.
Application FAQs
When do I apply for FEE-HELP?
After you have been offered a place in a University of Adelaide program, you will be able to apply for a HELP loan as a part of the enrolment process.
I’m unsure if I meet the entry requirements
The team at the University of Adelaide are more than happy to discuss your unique academic and professional history to help identify whether you meet one of the various ways to meet the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security entry requirements. Phone: 1300 241 539 (Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5PM ACST/ADST). Email: admissions.online@adelaide.edu.au
I want someone to walk me through my application
Book a consultation with one of our enrolment advisors here who will more than happy to assist you.
I don’t have my academic transcript yet
If you don’t have all of the required documents yet you can still create an account and come back later to complete your application. Academic transcripts can be ordered from the institution you completed your bachelor's degree, diploma or certificate. Just make sure to submit all the required documents before the close of application date.
I am an international applicant. What are the English language requirements?
In order to study with the University of Adelaide, you must be proficient in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English as this is the language of instruction.
You must be able to demonstrate that you meet the minimum English language requirements, however you will not require English evidence if you are a citizen or hold a passport from one of the following countries: Canada (English speaking provinces only), New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Please download the English Proficiency Language Criteria to ensure you meet the minimum requirements.
If your original qualification documents (transcripts/course completion) were not provided in English we need:
- the original-language documents, and
- the certified translated documents.
Still have a question? Contact our online admissions team now
If you have any questions about your eligibility or want to know more details about the program, contact the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security admissions team either on:
Phone: 1300 241 539 (Monday to Friday, 8:30AM –5PM ACST/ADST).
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Online
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Online
8 months part-time
GCCSE
Eligible for Fee-HELP. Learn more
Jan, Mar, May, Jun, Aug, Oct
Online
Course Overview
Quickly and confidently respond to the urgent demand for cyber security professionals in Australia.
Obtain a highly reputable cyber security graduate certificate to demonstrate your ability to boost organisational resilience against cyber criminals and gain experience and training using a wide range of cyber security tools and techniques drawn from today’s real-world business contexts, 100% online.
Why study cyber security with us?
Flexible online learning for cyber security
Studying a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security online gives you the freedom to study on your terms. Gain essential skills to work as a cyber security technician, compliance advisor, policy maker and other entry level roles, and become workplace ready in 8 months.
Six week teaching periods: Upskill faster by completing one computer and cyber security subject every six weeks.
The University of Adelaide has partnered with Boundless Learning, a leading global learning company, to deliver this degree 100% online. The Partnership has been established to deliver the very best experience and learning outcomes to all our students. Students will be awarded a University of Adelaide qualification and this degree meets the University's highest quality standards.
Cyber security tools
Kali Linux
Experience using the most popular security Linux distribution that comes pre-loaded with many security assessment and computer forensics tools.
Virtual Hack Lab
Connect to our Virtual Hack Lab environment via an OpenVPN client installed by default on Kali Linux.
Online Penetration Testing Environments
Use various online platforms (like HackInBox) to test and advance your skills in penetration testing and cyber security.
Real case studies
Real case studies and applications are used in all four cyber security courses through expert guest speakers working in cyber security industry and government roles.
What skills will I gain?
What skills will I gain?
Through the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security, you will experience:
- technical cyber security capabilities in an area of specialisation
- effective and influential communication skills
- awareness, vigilance and adaptability to the constantly changing online environment
- understanding of cyber security management concepts, risk management and security architecture.
What will my cyber security assignments be?
All cyber security assessments and coursework are 100% online. Types of assessments include:
- quizzes
- case studies
- scenarios
- simulations.
Download a brochure to learn more.
Contact us now
Contact us now
Get your questions answered
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm (ACST/ACDT), Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm (ACST/ACDT).
We can help you with:
- entry requirements
- curriculum
- key dates & intakes
- your unique situation
- finance.
Cyber security career paths and opportunities
Cyber crime costs Australian businesses $29 billion per year. The Australian Federal and state governments continue to heavily invest in cyber security to protect Australia’s digital infrastructure and reduce national security risks. Apply now and help develop policy and guidelines tomorrow.
Healthcare is increasingly being targeted by cyber criminals. Strengthen and monitor the health sector’s systems by conducting checks and benchmark data - using your skills gained from this cyber security graduate certificate.
Australia’s financial services companies are the largest users of cyber security in the country. They account for almost one-third of the nationwide security demand. Follow this career path and become an analyst who spots network security vulnerabilities and improves the design and the delivery of services.
University of Adelaide cyber security program information
-
Political institutions and policy-making - POLIS 7024OL
This cyber security course covers policy making principles in Australia. Learn about the political context in which debates about cyber security and other international relations issues take place; which will guide your work as a cyber security practitioner. In this course, you will learn how institutions:
- define a problem
- set an agenda
- communicate to the primary political actors and stakeholders
- influence institutional decision-making
- implement and review policy.
-
Business data and cyber security - COMMGMT 7023OL
Protecting valuable business data requires constant cybersecurity awareness and vigilance. In this cyber security course you will discover common vulnerabilities, decision making factors and problem solving methods to confidently address and communicate cyber security threats.
-
Cyber security fundamentals - COMP SCI 7308OL
Experience the real-world cyber security challenges that organisations face and the best ways to address them – through examining both an attacker's and defender’s perspective.
Hear about common attack and defence strategies used against software, web applications, networks, operating systems, cryptographic systems as well as people’s behaviour. The course will also introduce cybersecurity management concepts, including:
- security operations
- risk management
- security engineering
- security architecture.
Hear about the vast array of exciting career paths available to you in the cyber security field.
-
Information risks, threats and controls - COMMGMT 7025OL
Cyber security risk management and assurance are critical to all aspects of all businesses – from finance, branding, legal, OH&S to operations - and this course focuses on critical infrastructure and enterprise-level threats.
Learn about the vulnerabilities the digital age has introduced from a broad organisational-wide perspective, and how these impacts can be mitigated with assessments, policies and implementation plans.
To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Cyber Security, you need to meet one of the following requirements:
-
Bachelor of Computer Science (or an equivalent Information Technology degree) and a GPA of 4.5
OR
-
relevant work experience of at least 3 years in Computer Science or Cyber Security roles
OR
-
diploma or above in networking and IT plus 2 years relevant work experience.
Don’t have programming experience?
To excel in the applied nature of our cyber security postgraduate programs, all our students require some experience with a programming language. If you don’t have this experience, we offer the course Foundations of Computer Science – Python A (COMP SCI 7210OL) in place of Political Institutions and Policy-Making (POLIS 7024OL). Our friendly admissions team will guide you through the enrolment process once your application has been accepted.
FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE – PYTHON A (COMP SCI 7210OL)
This course will develop your coding and problem-solving skills with a focus on data and data science. You will learn algorithm design as well as fundamental programming concepts such as data, selection, iteration and functional decomposition, data abstraction and organisation. You will build fundamental software development skills including the use of the Python programming language and tools, debugging, testing and fundamentals of good programming practice, style and design.
English language requirements
In order to meet the English language proficiency requirements for our 100% online postgraduate programs, you must be able to demonstrate that you meet the minimum English Language requirements.
Typically, if English is your first language you will not be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. You will also not be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency if you are an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident (visa status) or hold a passport from one of the following countries: Canada (English-speaking provinces only), New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
To learn more, visit the English Language Proficiency Requirements for detailed information about these requirements, including acceptable English language tests.
We also recommend that you speak to an Enrolment Advisor to discuss options that are specific to your circumstances. You can schedule a call here.
The total cost of the online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security is $13,992 or $3,498 per course (2025 pricing).
Find more information on fees for domestic students, including annual fees and fee increases, in the Fees (domestic students) section.
Is there FEE-HELP available?
Yes, Australian citizens are eligible for a HELP loan. You must also be enrolled in a postgraduate program with the University of Adelaide by the enrolment deadline (census), and have not reached the HELP loan limit. Once you have been offered a place in a University of Adelaide program, you will be able to apply for a HELP loan as a part of the enrolment process. Please see our FAQs section for further details.
Get in touch
Get in touch
Our Expert Advisors are available
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm (ACST/ACDT), Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm (ACST/ACDT).
We can help you with:
- entry requirements
- curriculum
- key dates & intakes
- your unique situation
- finance.
Download a brochure now
Download a brochure now
Request a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security brochure to learn more about:
- the University of Adelaide
- course directors
- online learning experience
- course content and learning outcomes
- assessments and more
Apply now
Create an account to start your application
Applying for the online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security is a quick and easy process. Find out if your application was successful in as soon as 2-5 days.
Want to better understand the application process?
Book a 1:1 call now with our enrolment advisors and we can walk you through the application process — from how to meet the entry requirements through to enrolling in your first subject.