Highlights

  • Learn how to identify and mitigate risks, design secure networks, implement cryptographic techniques, and protect data across diverse environments. 
  • Gain expertise in systems security, identity management, access control, governance, and secure software development. 
  • Develop the ability to assess emerging cyber threats and adapt strategies in response. 
  • Participate in group projects and practical tasks to build collaboration and communication skills valued by employers. 
  • Understand the broader ethical, social, and legal implications of cyber security decisions in professional practice. 
  • Be prepared for roles such as Cyber Security Analyst, Security Consultant, Network Security Engineer, and Incident Response Specialist.

Highlights

  • Learn how to identify and mitigate risks, design secure networks, implement cryptographic techniques, and protect data across diverse environments. 
  • Gain expertise in systems security, identity management, access control, governance, and secure software development. 
  • Develop the ability to assess emerging cyber threats and adapt strategies in response. 
  • Participate in group projects and practical tasks to build collaboration and communication skills valued by employers. 
  • Understand the broader ethical, social, and legal implications of cyber security decisions in professional practice. 
  • Be prepared for roles such as Cyber Security Analyst, Security Consultant, Network Security Engineer, and Incident Response Specialist.

Ready to start
mid-year?

Applications for Semester 2 are closing soon.

Get started with our step-by-step guide

Why choose this course?

Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing employment sectors, and is critical for organisations in all other sectors due to the digital transformation of industry. In Australia, cyber security jobs are projected to grow by 23% by 2026, with more than 30,000 professionals needed by the end of the decade (AustCyber). Globally, the shortage of cyber security talent is estimated at nearly 4 million professionals, making this a future-proof career. The total cost of cyberattacks to the Australian economy is estimated to be $63.5 billion each year, including high-profile cyber incidents and data breaches, which has driven a surging demand for IT professionals with cyber security skills (ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2025). As organisations across every industry face growing threats from cyber attacks, the demand for professionals who can secure data, systems, and networks has never been higher. Networks and cyber security skills is expected to be the second fastest-growing skill between 2025-2030 (World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025).

This course equips you with the skills and knowledge to become a cyber security expert, capable of protecting sensitive information, responding to threats, and safeguarding digital infrastructure. Through hands-on experience, real-world case studies, and teamwork-focused projects, you’ll learn to identify cyber risks, design secure systems, and apply cutting-edge technologies such as cryptography, secure software development, and access control. You’ll also explore the ethical and social dimensions of cyber security, preparing you to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving industry. 

Explore this course

What to expect

 In your first year, you’ll complete your common IT units, including an introduction to computer systems, learning design and building principles, and developing databases. You’ll also learn programming principles.   

The Cyber Security Major consists of 72 credit points of compulsory units.  The core units include Networks, Cryptography, Systems Security, Secure Network Architecture, Governance, Risk and Compliance, and Secure software Development.  

Your final year is your opportunity to showcase your skills with a major project. Your project will be for a real-world client and will be unveiled at the IT and Games Showcase, held at the end of the year. 

Careers and outcomes

Careers and outcomes

Graduates of the Cyber Security Major are prepared for a wide range of high-demand roles across sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and transport. Career options include Cyber Security Analyst, monitoring systems for threats and advising on defense strategies; Network Security Architect, designing secure infrastructure; and Cryptographer, developing encryption to protect sensitive data. As Software or Systems Security Specialists, graduates ensure security is integrated into software and interconnected systems through testing, access controls, and regulatory compliance. 

Other roles include Penetration Tester, ethically hacking systems to identify vulnerabilities, and Incident Responder, managing cyber attacks and restoring operations. Graduates may also work in Cyber Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), shaping policies and ensuring regulatory alignment. With experience, they can advance to leadership positions such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Skills gained also open doors to roles in cloud, IoT, and AI-powered security, making graduates essential to safeguarding the digital infrastructure across all industries. 

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). ACS provides graduates with eligibility for ACS membership, recognition by ACS for certification and migration skills assessment, and international recognition by signatories of the Seoul Accord

Possible careers

  • Chief information security officer
  • Cryptographer
  • Cyber Incident Responder
  • Cyber security specialist
  • Network Security Architect
  • Penetration Tester
  • Software security specialist

Details and units

In order to complete this course, you must complete a total of 288 credit points, made up of:

  • Core units - 108 credit points
  • A Major - 72 credit points
  • QUT You - 24 credit points
  • Complementary studies - 84 credit points, made up of:
        - a Second Major (72 credit points) and an elective (12 credit points), or
        - a Minor (48 credit points) and electives (36 credit points).

Progression options for your study plan
There are two progression options available, both starting with the same first semester units. 
You can choose the pathway that best suits your interests and goals:

Option 1: Common first year
This option allows you to complete a set of foundational core units in your first year before selecting your major. This is the ideal choice if you would like more time to explore your interests before committing to a specific area of study.

Option 2: Major starts in first year
In this option, you begin studying units from your chosen major in your first year. This progression option is suitable if you already know which major you would like to pursue and want to build expertise from the first year.

Regardless of your choice, both options are designed to support a smooth progression through your course.

In order to complete this course, you must complete a total of 288 credit points, made up of:

  • Core units - 108 credit points
  • A Major - 72 credit points
  • QUT You - 24 credit points
  • Complementary studies - 84 credit points, made up of:
        - a Second Major (72 credit points) and an elective (12 credit points), or
        - a Minor (48 credit points) and electives (36 credit points).

Progression options for your study plan
There are two progression options available, both starting with the same first semester units. 
You can choose the pathway that best suits your interests and goals:

Option 1: Common first year
This option allows you to complete a set of foundational core units in your first year before selecting your major. This is the ideal choice if you would like more time to explore your interests before committing to a specific area of study.

Option 2: Major starts in first year
In this option, you begin studying units from your chosen major in your first year. This progression option is suitable if you already know which major you would like to pursue and want to build expertise from the first year.

Regardless of your choice, both options are designed to support a smooth progression through your course.

Requirements

ATAR/selection rank threshold
70.00

These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2026.

Don't have a ATAR/selection rank?

Find out other ways you can apply

Course code
IN01
QTAC code
418801
CRICOS code
012656E
Delivery
  • Online
  • Gardens Point
Delivery
  • Gardens Point
Duration
3 years full-time
6 years part-time
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry
February and July
Entry
February and July
Deferment

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

Assumed knowledge

Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:

  • English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
  • General Mathematics, or Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)

More about assumed knowledge

Year 12 early offer scheme

If you're a current Queensland Year 12 student, you may be eligible to receive an offer for this course on the last day of Queensland Year 12, before receiving your ATAR or selection rank.

Find out more about the QUT Year 12 Early Offer Scheme

Helping you to get into your course

If you don't think your ATAR or selection rank is high enough to get into this course, you can guarantee your entry with guaranteed advanced standing by upgrading through one the following programs which you can select as one of your QTAC preferences:

QUT College Diplomas

As a QUT College Diploma in Entrepreneurship (information technology pathway), Esports (information technology pathway), or Information Technology graduate you will automatically receive an offer to start the Bachelor of Information Technology within one week after completion of the diploma. You will also automatically receive up to 1.0 year (96 credit points) credit transfer and be able to complete the degree in 2 years as a full-time student (or equivalent part-time).

Find out more about the QUT College Diploma in Entrepreneurship

Find out more about the QUT College Diploma in Esports

Find out more about the QUT College Diploma in Information Technology

Offer guarantee

If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course in the Semester 1 offer rounds, up to the main offer round in mid-January.

VET guarantee

If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course in the Semester 1 offer rounds.

Advanced standing

If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.

More about advanced standing

Deferment

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

More about deferring your offer

Adjustments to your ATAR/selection rank

Any adjustments you receive to your ATAR or selection rank will be applied to this course.

Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your ATAR or selection rank

Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2025

The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.

Excluding adjustments Including adjustments
Highest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 94.35
Selection rank 99.75
Median ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 79.30
Selection rank 81.30
Lowest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 64.60
Selection rank 70.55

You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.

Other admission options

If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).

I completed my studies outside of Australia

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

Assumed knowledge
  • General Mathematics, or Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)

I completed secondary school in Australia

Assumed knowledge
  • General Mathematics, or Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)

More about assumed knowledge

ATAR/selection rank
70.00
Offer guarantee

If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

VET guarantee

If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Minimum English language requirements

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.

Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.

English Test Overall Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake 6.5 6 6 6 6
Cambridge C1 Advanced
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
176 169 169 169 169
PTE Academic 58 50 50 50 50
TOEFL iBT Australia Test (120 scale) 79 16 16 21 18

Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.

2027 fees

2027: Fee available from October

2027 fees

2027: Fee available from July

2026 fees

2026: CSP $9,600 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2026 fees

2026: $44,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Find out more about undergraduate course fees

HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

Find out more about government loans

Scholarships

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

Browse all scholarships

International Merit Scholarship

A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Scholarship eligibility
Academic performance

Faculty of Science Scholarship for Women and Non-Binary People

We are committed to supporting people who may face barriers due to their gender and building diverse and inclusive cohorts for careers in science, maths and IT.

Scholarship eligibility
Academic performance; Women; Non-binary

Faculty of Science Indigenous Australian Scholarship

We are committed to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in science, maths and IT and ensuring students reach their full potential.

Scholarship eligibility
Indigenous Australian; Academic performance

International Talent Scholarship

A new scholarship for 2026 that covers tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.

Scholarship eligibility
Academic performance

Applying guide

When you're preparing your application, make sure you have all the important information. This includes understanding the entry requirements, and checking if you're eligible for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply


QTAC code

You'll need to know this course's QTAC code when you apply through QTAC.


Ready to apply?

If you've already read about the best way to apply, you can apply directly through QTAC.

Apply now with QTAC

How to apply

Follow our step-by-step applying guide to make sure your application is complete, giving you the best chance of getting in.

How to apply


Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today.

Apply now

Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today or contact our MBA Program Manager +61 468 575 146 or mba@qut.edu.au

Apply now

Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today or contact our MBA Program Manager +61 468 575 146 (Brisbane),
(02) 6198 3098 (Canberra), emba@qut.edu.au

Apply now

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