Bachelor of Information Technology (Networking and Cybersecurity)

In this degree you will focus on the security of information systems, learning the techniques and theory that support network infrastructures in small to large businesses.

You will develop the skills to support a network roll-out and infrastructure maintenance, as well as learn about networking topologies, routers and firewalls.

The networking courses prepare you to sit industry certification exams in CISCO, CCNA and CCNP.

This means that not only will you graduate with a degree that’s professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society, you could hold a highly regarded industry certification as well.

If you decide to exit this degree having successfully completed the first two years, you will receive an associate degree.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
• Completed one of the following professional courses:
• Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• CompTIA A+ Certification
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM)
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

You will start your degree with core courses in information technology. These will give you a solid grounding in important areas such as IT, network, database and programming fundamentals, and systems analysis.

You will then move on to your major in Networking and Cybersecurity. Your networking courses prepare you to sit industry certification exams in CISCO, CCNA and CCNP.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

With more than 200 industry partners, we offer you opportunities to get real-world experience through projects and placements. Our partners include Fujitsu Australia, SA Water, Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide and more. UniSA is also home to several research centres:

• Advanced Computing Research Centre
• Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
• Institute for Telecommunications Research
• Phenomics and Bioinformatics Research Centre

Your career

The cybersecurity field is flourishing and the need for specialists is increasing.

In April 2016, the Australian government launched a $230m Cyber Security Strategy with 33 initiatives aimed at improving defences and creating a 'cyber smart nation'. It addresses our nation’s "shortage of cyber security professionals" and states that we must "build our nation’s stock of cyber security skills, which are becoming increasingly essential for life and work in our connected world". Careers to consider:

• network administrator: supporting infrastructure for wired network connections, wireless access points and remotely connected users; ensuring continuous network operations; performing installation, configuration, maintenance, upgrade, documentation, and operational support of network equipment
• IT cybersecurity: specialist understanding vulnerabilities and threats; performing threat and risk assessments, and mitigation strategies; developing network system architecture and design; auditing, acceptance testing and compliance; ability to work in a close team
• network engineer: designing and implementing networks and network security; understanding of security tools like cloud security, malware detection, web application firewalls, intrusion prevention; technical security risk assessment; writing security procedures and documentation

Explore a range of IT and computing careers here.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

You will have access to the latest industry software in our technology spaces such as the IT Development Studio, the Mac Lab, and the Wearable Computer Lab.

You will also benefit from our culture of innovation and startup community. We’re helping IT entrepreneurs and innovators turn their ideas into startup enterprises with a bright future. Through the Innovation and Collaboration Centre (ICC), the University’s startup incubator, you have access to programs (such as Venture Catalyst), services and expertise including:

• Workshops
• One-on-one mentoring
• Office space for startups and entrepreneurs
• Access to a global pool of expert advisers
• Small funding stipends
• Events to kick-start ideas and competitions like hackathons