Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security

Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security

POSTGRADUATE

Join this exciting and essential field and learn how to keep data safe in a range of settings.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 6 months
Part-time 1 year
Fees:

Commonwealth supported places

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

Not applicable

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Overview

Cyber security forms a vital part of organisational responsibilities.

In today’s networked world it is more relevant than ever. From the latest internet worm to identity theft, danger is no more than a mouse click away.

The Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security is suited to those interested in the role of a systems administrator and/or a risk analysis consultant. You will be introduced to computer security, encryption standards and cryptosystems, authentication mechanisms and risk and controls mechanisms.

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security at RMIT?

Put theory into practice

You'll gain practical experience through a consulting project, using theoretical and analytical skills to solve real world problems.

Learn through doing

You'll use state-of-the-art cyber security software, gaining the hands-on experience required to analyse data.

Industry connections

An advisory committee, made up of leading industry representatives, ensures that this degree reflects the needs of employers.

Information Technology: Empowered by innovation

Information Technology: Empowered by innovation

Information and communication technology underpin almost everything we do. Meet Zian, a Master of Cyber Security student with a vision to create an increasingly secure future for IT. Combining theory and project experience, an Information Technology qualification from RMIT gives you the skills to lead innovation in IT.

Please note: this graduate certificate is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.

Details

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This graduate certificate course is offered through a flexible combination of lectures, tutorials and computer laboratory classes.

There are opportunities for team-based projects and participating in consulting activities.

Through lectures and tutorials, you will explore key concepts and be challenged to strengthen your knowledge and problem solving skills. You will work as a team to solve complex issues facing the cyber security industry through group discussions, presentations and seminars. You will learn using state-of-the-art cyber security software, providing you with hands-on the experience you need for roles that use data analysis. 

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

You'll have the opportunity to gain invaluable professional experience through a consulting project, where you will use theoretical and analytical skills to solve real world problems. As a student of this course, you will undertake activities that help you learn, apply and demonstrate your learnings, often while interacting with industry, and work in real or simulated industry environments.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT has a range of longstanding links with industry through our Industry Advisory Committees (IACs) and through research projects, consulting, and industry-sponsored design projects.

Membership of these committees includes industry executives and past graduates from the school. Their involvement ensures that our courses remain relevant to your needs as a graduate and to the needs of graduate employers, and the changing needs of industry.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

View the learning outcomes for each stream:

As a student of this course, you will undertake three core subjects:

  • Case Studies in Cyber Security
  • Introduction to Information Security
  • Discrete Mathematics

And select one elective subject:

  • Programming Fundamentals
  • IT Infrastructue and Security.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
Program code: GC036
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
City Campus
1 Semester Full Time, 2 Semesters Part Time
GC036P18
096093G
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 Semester Full Time, 2 Semesters Part Time
Plan code
GC036P18
CRICOS
096093G
View plan
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
City Campus
1 Semester Full Time
GC036P18
096093G
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 Semester Full Time
Plan code
GC036P18
CRICOS
096093G
View plan
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
City Campus
1 Semester Full Time, 2 Semesters Part Time
GC036O
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 Semester Full Time, 2 Semesters Part Time
Plan code
GC036O
CRICOS
View plan

Career

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security will have the skills and knowledge required to seek roles in cyber security across public and private sectors, or to pursue a career in postgraduate research in this field.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

Entry requirements

You must have:

  • an Australian bachelor degree (AQF 7) or equivalent

OR

  • a minimum of five years (full-time equivalent) work experience in a related industry setting

If you wish to have industry or employment experience assessed as part of meeting the entry requirements you will need to provide a detailed CV/resume listing previous positions, dates of employment and position responsibilities; a statement from your employer confirming these details (or contact details of employer so RMIT can seek confirmation); and evidence of any relevant professional development undertaken.

International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

Pathways

You can gain entry to this graduate certificate from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed in accordance with the RMIT Credit Policy. If you have completed your studies or have partially completed a similar program at another institution (with entry criteria similar to this program) may be accepted with some credits or exemptions being granted towards this program. 

Credit pathways between RMIT University programs enable you upon graduating from an RMIT University qualification to apply for advanced standing in a higher-level qualification.

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security can continue their studies in the Master of Cyber Security (MC159) and receive full credit for their completed studies.

Fees

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Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).

Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.

2024 indicative fees

Commonwealth supported places

  • 2024 Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$4,445 to AU$16,323*. 

Full-fee places

  • Full-fee places: AU$15,840* (2024 total).

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$351 maximum fee for 2024*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

  • You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
  • For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.

How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package. 

The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2024. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.

Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.

You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2024 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2024
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,445 per standard year
$555 per standard (12 credit point) course
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology $8,948 per standard year
$1,118 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $12,720 per standard year
$1,590 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $16,323 per standard year
$2,040 per standard (12 credit point) course

Student Learning Entitlement

On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

  • The SLE allows students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
  • Your total SLE amount will be reduced in accordance with your overall study load in a CSP. 
  • Once you have utilised all your SLE, you can not longer study in a CSP.

For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.

If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2024 is $351.  

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.

HECS-HELP Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

This program is approved for income support.

You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.

If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$XX,XXX.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$XX,XXX.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Sorry, this program is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information