As you work towards your Master of Cyber Security (MCS), you'll develop a thorough understanding of the technical, legal, policy and management aspects of cyber security. You'll learn about cloud computing technologies and computer infrastructure, as well as the law relating to cyber security.
You'll gain skills relating to detecting security breaches, preventative security and offensive security. This includes computer system penetration testing. You'll learn how to think innovatively and develop the ability to apply your knowledge so you can work at an advanced level as a professional in cyber security.
Hamilton NZ, New Zealand
18 Months
NZ$ 55,720
IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 90
When you study cyber security at Waikato, you'll have the opportunity to work with, and learn from award-winning cyber security experts. Our academics also have strong international connections with industry and government, such as the National Cyber Policy Office and INTERPOL.
COMPX513 Topics in Computer Networks
COMPX514 Carrier and ISP Networks
COMPX515 Security for Advanced Networks
COMPX527 Secure Cloud Application Engineering
COMPX529 Engineering Self-Adaptive Systems
Students admitted into the 120 point Master of Cyber Security will be given appropriate waivers on the compulsory papers based on the 500 level study completed prior to admittance.
*At the discretion of the Convenor of Cyber Security, COMPX593 Dissertation (90 Points) can be taken in place of COMPX592 and the two elective papers in Part 1.
This degree consists of either:
a dissertation and coursework
coursework only
This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study.
Depending on your previous study and chosen subject, a masters may take one, one and a half, or two years to complete.
A recognised bachelors degree with a B/B+ average, and a B/B+ average in a relevant subject if required.
Some Faculties/Schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.
IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)
TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)
Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:
DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)
DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)
DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.
Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
If you are an international student, you will also need to meet an English language entry requirement. If you do not meet the requirement for your chosen postgraduate qualification, we have Academic English Language programmes available that you can enrol in to help you meet these entry requirements.
English language test |
Graduate / Postgraduate (all courses except those listed below) |
IELTS |
6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) |
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL |
90 with a score of 21 in writing |
iBT (home-based) TOEFL |
90 with a score of 21 in writing |
C1 Advanced (formally known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) |
176 and no bands below 169 |
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) |
176 and no bands below 169 |
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) |
C1 Expert with an overall high pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) |
C2 Mastery with an overall pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) |
Level 5 (Academic) |
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) |
Minimum score of 85 |
Pearson PTE Academic |
58 and no PTE communicative skills below 50 |
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) |
III with a pass in all four components |
University of Waikato College |
Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic (CAAE) programme |
For admission to the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) an academic IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no less than 7.0 in any band) is required.
Equivalent qualifications
If you have successfully completed study in the English medium, you may not have to take a language test. This document also includes all approved alternatives to our IELTS requirements.
This degree consists of either:
a dissertation and coursework
coursework only
This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study.
Depending on your previous study and chosen subject, a masters may take one, one and a half, or two years to complete.
A recognised bachelors degree with a B/B+ average, and a B/B+ average in a relevant subject if required.
Some Faculties/Schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.
IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)
TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)
Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:
DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)
DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)
DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.
Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
If you are an international student, you will also need to meet an English language entry requirement. If you do not meet the requirement for your chosen postgraduate qualification, we have Academic English Language programmes available that you can enrol in to help you meet these entry requirements.
English language test |
Graduate / Postgraduate (all courses except those listed below) |
IELTS |
6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) |
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL |
90 with a score of 21 in writing |
iBT (home-based) TOEFL |
90 with a score of 21 in writing |
C1 Advanced (formally known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) |
176 and no bands below 169 |
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) |
176 and no bands below 169 |
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) |
C1 Expert with an overall high pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) |
C2 Mastery with an overall pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) |
Level 5 (Academic) |
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) |
Minimum score of 85 |
Pearson PTE Academic |
58 and no PTE communicative skills below 50 |
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) |
III with a pass in all four components |
University of Waikato College |
Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic (CAAE) programme |
For admission to the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) an academic IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no less than 7.0 in any band) is required.
Equivalent qualifications
If you have successfully completed study in the English medium, you may not have to take a language test. This document also includes all approved alternatives to our IELTS requirements.
Estimated Fees* (International): $37,145 (120 points) or $55,720 (180 points)
Chief Information Security Officer
Entrepreneurs of new security products and service
Penetration Testers/ Security Assessment Consultants
IT Security Consultant