Master of Cyber Security Analysis

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

Higher education

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

Work and Life

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

English Proficiency Requirements

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.

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.

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.

 https://students.mq.edu.au/study/faculties/open-universities-australia/degree-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.

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 here https://ask.mq.edu.au/