Master of Cyber Security Analysis
Postgraduate | MAQ-CYB-MAS | 2024
Help meet the global demand for cyber security experts
Help public and private organisations cope with increasing levels of cyber crime. Respond to simulated cyber security threats. Choose from specialisations including cyber security analysis, cyber governance and management and 'Internetworking'.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 7 July 2024
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 12
- Price from
- $31,800
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Cyber Security Analysis
About this degree
On successful completion, you will be able to:
- Critically analyse and explain real world cyber security issues.
- Transfer, integrate and use advanced disciplinary analytical techniques and methods to develop solutions to real world cyber security issues.
- Develop, analyse, and evaluate intelligence-related policies.
- Create specialised cyber security-related analysis, research and implementable policies.
- Make ethical and socially informed judgments in the field of Cyber Security Analysis.
- Communicate with specialist and non-specialist audiences in the field of Cyber Security Analysis in written and oral forms.
This degree was previously titled the Master of Cyber Security.
Cyber security analysis is an area of strategic priority for Australia. There is a current and growing demand in government, business and research institutions for graduates with specialised knowledge in cyber security analysis. The Master of Cyber Security Analysis (OUA) aims to supply the next generation of policy and strategic thinkers in cyber security analysis. That is, the emphasis of this course is on the policy dimension of cyber security, rather than on the technical aspects. In studying this course you will enhance your employability in this rapidly evolving job market for cyber security, as this course is tailored to directly addressing the cyber security skills gap in Australia and overseas.
Recommended study pattern
Master of Cyber Security Analysis students must complete eight or twelve subjects as required per the degree structure at the time of admission.
Please note: It is not recommended to enrol in more than 2 subjects per Session
Core Zone
Essential subjects: 50 credit points
- PICX8012 Critical Thought & Research Design
- PICX8040 Cyber Crime and Cyber Policing
- PICX8048 Applied Cyber Security
- PICX8049 Australia and Cyber Intelligence
- PICX8080 Cyber Terrorism and Information Warfare
Core Zone
Elective subjects
Option set 1: 10 credit points from:
- PICX8954 Simulation in Cyber Security
- PICX8964 Decision Making, Scenario Planning and Simulation in Cyber Security
Option set 2: 20 credit points from:
- PICX8020 Advanced Terrorism Studies
- PICX8045 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
- PICX8060 Geopolitics and Geostrategy
- PICX8088 Advanced Criminology Theory
Flexible Zone
Option set 1: 40 credit points from:
- PICX8013 History of Intelligence
- PICX8020 Advanced Terrorism Studies
- PICX8043 International Terrorism
- PICX8045 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
- PICX8060 Geopolitics and Geostrategy
- PICX8061 Transnational Security
- PICX8062 The Crimes of the Powerful
- PICX8088 Advanced Criminology Theory
- SOCX8015 Doing Social Survey Research
- SOCX8020 Evaluating Social Policy
- SOCX8035 Qualitative Methods for Policy
- SOCX8080 Making Public Policy in a Globalised World
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Master of Cyber Security Analysis students must complete eight or twelve subjects as required. Students must complete the essential subjects as indicated in the degree structure.
On completion of admission you are bound by the University Terms and Conditions and must comply with present and future By-laws, Rules, Codes, and Policies, Procedures and Schedules of Macquarie University
Students who did not commence their program in the current year are required to follow the program structure provided to them at the time of admission.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Applications are due the Friday two weeks prior to the close of enrolment date for the study session you are applying for.
Please note:
Once you have been admitted into your degree, you must enrol in at least one subject in the study term immediately following admission, and you must remain enrolled past the census date. If not, your admission will lapse and you will need to re-apply for the degree again. Deferment is not available for OUA students.
Visit Studying a degree through OUA for further information.
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
Changes in 2020:
In 2020 the Macquarie subject codes have changed. All subjects previously studied under the old subject code will be recognised as equivalent.
This program was previously titled the Master of Cyber Security.
The degree structure has also changed for this degree to allow for multiple admissions points.Please refer to the Recommended Study Pattern for the new structure.
The previous structure required students to complete 12 subjects including:
Required six of the following:
Required six of the following:
- PICX812 Critical Thought & Research Design
- PICX808 Cyber Terrorism and Information Warfare
- PICX840 Cyber Crime
- PICX848 Applied Cyber Security
- PICX849 Cyber Policing and Intelligence in Australia
- PICX954 Simulation in Cyber Security
Required six of the following:
- PICX813 History of Intelligence
- PICX845 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
- PICX861 Transnational Security
- PICX860 Geopolitics and Geostrategy
- PICX802 Terrorism
- PICX843 International Policing and Counter Terrorism
- PICX862 The Crimes of the Powerful
- PICX888 Advanced Criminology Theory
Students who have completed subjects from the old structure can still count them towards the award requirements.
Please contact Macquarie University for further information.
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience, or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to the course at one of the admission points below.
Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the course's zones (see Course Structure) which will affect the overall duration of the course.
Core and Flexible Zones
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent, and approved work experience, professional certification or other recognised prior learning, or
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65
Core Zone
- AQF level 8 bachelor honours or graduate diploma qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
- Meet two of the following three criteria:
- AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent
- Minimum two years relevant approved work experience at senior management level, professional certification or other recognised prior learning
AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65
Related Disciplines For Prior Qualifications
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
Relevant Prior Work Experience, Professional Certification, Or Other Recognised Learning
Police Force, Defence Force, Public Service, Law, Policy advising, defence and security related industry and business, information technology industry, media, international policy think tanks, accounting, banks and financial institutions, telecommunications, network management, security management
The required standard of English for this program is:
Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent.
All applicants to coursework programs at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
For more information on accepted equivalents, please see English Language Requirements.
You may be eligible for credit against individual units in your course at Macquarie if you have additional postgraduate-level study or qualifications beyond those required for admission.
For more information see our Recognition of Prior Learning page or submit an enquiry.
Career opportunities
Graduates will be equipped to work in a range of government, non-government and private employment, including:
- Department of Defence
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Law Enforcement and Police
- Australian Border Force
- International/Regional organisations
- Think tanks and policy advising
- Media
- Cyber security-related business and industry, or Cyber security department of national and transnational corporations/organisations
- International Non-Government Organisations
- Banks and other financial institutions
- Telecommunication companies
- Network Architect
- Solutions Architect
- Security Specialist
- Network consultant
- Network security consultant
Career outlook
- Commissioned Defence Force Officers:
- Over $120K
- Detectives:
- $93K to $120K
- Intelligence and Policy Analysts:
- $93K to $120K
- Intelligence Officers:
- $93K to $120K
- Police:
- $93K to $120K
- Policy and Planning Managers:
- Over $120K
Degree FAQs
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
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There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
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Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
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