Handbook - Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy

Overview

The Master of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy is a postgraduate award offered by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. It is designed for postgraduate scholars and professional managers with appropriate undergraduate qualifications and/or professional experience in the Social Sciences, Humanities or Information Sciences. The Master of Cyber Security, … For more content click the Read More button below.

The Master of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy provides advanced interdisciplinary study into the political, military, diplomatic and higher level management aspects of issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact. It is intended for students in the diplomatic, defence, justice, public safety, regulatory, management and information sciences. Governments, enterprises, communities and civil society around the world are grappling with strategy and regulation for the new domain of cyberspace, at the same time as their security and other interests are being transformed by the rapid pace of information technology exploitation - both for beneficial and for malicious purposes. It is widely accepted that the threats in cyber space are escalating while responses to mitigate them are not able to keep up. This program will provide students with the ability to understand the main policy, operational, ethical and informational challenges for security thrown up by the integration or penetration of advanced information technologies into all spheres of human activity.

Learning Outcomes

Apply advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills on issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact in a range of contexts.

Leaders
Scholars

Apply advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills to issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact.

Scholars
Leaders
Professionals

Communicate effectively to a range of audiences on issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact.

Scholars
Professionals

Apply knowledge and skills on issues where cyber security, strategy and diplomacy interact, with high level personal autonomy and accountability.

Global citizens
Professionals

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

Students must complete 48 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Core Courses24 Units of Credit:

Strategy and Politics Prescribed Electives

Students can take up to a maximum of 12 UOC of the following courses.

Note: Students who obtain at least a Distinction average in six courses may take a 12 UOC research thesis, ZHSS8401 Research Thesis A 6 UOC and ZHSS8402 Research Thesis B 6 UOC. You must enrol in both units to fulfil the requirements. You may enrol in the two units concurrently to do the thesis in a single semester, or consecutively to complete it over two semesters. Enrolment is subject to approval by the Postgraduate Coordinator.

ZHSS8125

6 UOC

Strategic Communication

ZHSS8203

6 UOC

Foundations of Modern Strategy

Asia-Pacific Security: The Dynamics of Change

ZHSS8410

6 UOC

Australian Defence Policy: Concepts and Challenges

ZHSS8430

6 UOC

China's Security Policy and Military Modernisation

ZHSS8435

6 UOC

Contemporary Strategy

ZHSS8459

6 UOC

Special Operations: Theory and Strategic Utility

ZHSS8462

6 UOC

Ethics in Special, Complex and Irregular Military Operations

ZHSS8463

6 UOC

International Law in Global Politics

ZHSS8467

6 UOC

Military Game Changers in 21st Century Warfare

ZHSS8504

6 UOC

Space Cooperation, Conflict and Competition

Technology and Security Prescribed Electives

Students can take up to a maximum of 12 UOC of the following courses.

YCAN8000

6 UOC

US Cyber Policy and Information Security

ZEIT8017

6 UOC

Cyber Crime and Cyber Security

ZEIT8018

6 UOC

Cyber Resilience: Management Governance and Acquisition

ZEIT8020

6 UOC

Cyber Offence: Threats and Opportunities

ZEIT8026

6 UOC

Cyber Defence: Network Security Operations

ZEIT8032

6 UOC

Information Assurance Principles

ZEIT8115

6 UOC

Information Operations

ZEIT8303

6 UOC

Project Management Body of Knowledge

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

To gain entry into a Master of Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy (8631), an applicant must meet one of the following entry requirements:

1. Completion of a Bachelor degree with honours in the same or a related discipline* from a recognised institution; or

2. Completion of a Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate in the same or a related discipline* from a recognised institution; or

3. Completion of a Bachelor degree in the same or a related discipline* from a recognised institution; and completion of at least three years relevant full-time professional experience; or

4. Completion of a Bachelor degree in a non-related discipline; and completion of at least four years relevant full-time professional experience; or

5. Evidence of other qualifications and professional experience to be assessed as acceptable grounds for admission into the program by the relevant Program Authority. In certain circumstances, students may be required to undertake and successfully complete a relevant non-award course as a condition for admission into the program. This non-award course may also be credited towards the program upon admission.

*Related Discipline/s: Humanities and Social Sciences, Management.

Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning

On applying for entry to the MCSSD program, a student may be eligible to apply for RPL for courses that have completed in a previous postgraduate program at UNSW or at another university. Applicants may be eligible for up to four courses (24 UoC or 50% of the requirements of the MCSSD). Applicants should consult the Program Coordinator for more information. Applicants would require substantiating evidence of prior learning (formal, informal or non-formal) where it can be demonstrated that the applicant has achieved equivalent learning outcomes to a AQF Level 8 qualification in a cognate discipline. This would include documents such as academic records, continuing professional education, professional registration and statements of service from the employer.

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):

Domestic Students

International Student

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Students who do not complete the full Master program requirements may exit the program with a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy (Code 7331) qualification (24 UOC). Of the four courses, students must have completed a minimum of two core courses and two other courses (core or elective) from the 8631 program. For any advanced standing granted on entry into the Masters program, a maximum of 12 UOC advanced standing can be applied to the Graduate Certificate. It is still a requirement that the student complete at least one core course at UNSW.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Similar Program

Master of Cyber Security - MCyberSec8628 - Cyber Security

Master of Cyber Security Operations - MCyberSecOps8629 - Cyber Security Operations

Recognition of Achievement

Award with Excellence

Current Students Award with Excellence

For more information, please visit:

The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

Additional Information

PLuS Alliance

This program is part of the PLuS Alliance, a new international university partnership between UNSW, Arizona State University (ASU) and King's College London (KCL).

Students enrolled in this program will be able to complete the elective identified above, online from Arizona State University. Further information will be added to the School of Engineering and Information Technology website.

Exit Arrangements

Students who do not complete the full Master program requirements may exit the program with a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security, Strategy and Diplomacy (7331) qualification (24 UOC). Of the four courses, students must have completed a minimum of two core courses and two other courses (core or elective) from the 8631 program.

For any advanced standing granted on entry into the Masters program, a maximum of 12 UOC advanced standing can be applied to the Graduate Certificate. It is still a requirement that the student complete at least one core course at UNSW.

Faculty regulations for postgraduate study via coursework

These regulations apply to all postgraduate degrees and are to be used in conjunction with Academic Rules and Program Information. All rules in this Handbook apply to each student who enters a UNSW Canberra at ADFA postgraduate program. The rules remain applicable until the student exits their program, either by discontinuation or graduation. Students who entered a program in another year should consult the rules and regulations for that year.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students

Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)

International Students