New Zealand Diploma in Cybersecurity (Level 6)

Level 6

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Are you a tech enthusiast wanting to enter the growing cybersecurity sector? The UCOL New Zealand Diploma in Cybersecurity (Level 6) will give you the technical skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed in the industry.

Quick info

Level: 6

Locations: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

Duration: 1 year full-time
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)

Dates:
22 Jul 2024 - 27 Jun 2025

Domestic Fees: *
$7,450.00

Scholarship info

Find out if you're eligible for fees-free study

International Fees:*
$25,000.00 + Student Services Levy $591.00

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

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The New Zealand Diploma in Cybersecurity Level 6 programme will provide you with technical skills in cybersecurity that are internationally relevant, and help you create a security mindset. This programme will teach you the fundamental concepts in information systems security, cyber law and regulations, cryptography, network security, security risk assessment, cybersecurity governance and practices, ethical hacking and testing, and incident handling.

You will be able to identify, mitigate and respond to cybersecurity risks and incidents, and help assure information and systems security, integrity, and availability.

This programme uses blended delivery – combining in person, online, and in-work learning.

Course Hours & Duration

This programme runs for 41 weeks, including 7 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time

11 hrs

Lectures, tutorials and/or online recordings.

Timetable set by your lecturer.

Study Time

24 hrs

Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time, or possibly by paper. Talk to us about your options with this programme.

Career & Study Outcomes

By completing this programme, you will be able to analyse, select, plan, and apply various tools and techniques to develop cybersecurity solutions. In addition, you will be capable of operating within the applicable professional standards and practice, both independently and as part of a team.

If you want to continue your learning, you will be ready to take higher-level IT-related qualifications and industry certifications in the field of cybersecurity.

You may find entry-level roles in the specialised field of cybersecurity in various organisations.

Course Information

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time.

This programme consists of 120 credits.

Information System Security (15 Credits)

Learners will analyse the fundamental concepts in information system security and the impact of cyber law and regulations on the organisation’s operations. After this course, you will be able to:

Analyse the security requirements of an organisation’s information system using information management principles.
Analyse the impact of different types of security risks on the operations of an organisation’s information system.
Analyse the impact of the legal, privacy, and ethical factors on an organisation’s information system security decisions.
Apply personal and communication skills to present information system security essentials.

Cryptography (15 Credits)

Learners will learn the concepts of cryptography and analyses the mechanisms to manage access to sensitive data in an organisation. After this course, you will be able to:

Analyse different security algorithm designs to meet an organisation’s security objective(s).
Analyse the design concepts of data integrity and authentication mechanisms to support an organisation’s security requirements.
Apply key management and distribution approaches to secure remote services.
Analyse access models to manage sensitive data access according to an organisation’s security requirements.

Network Security (15 Credits)

Learners will analyse different attacks targeting an organisation’s network, as well as the security mechanisms to protect the network against these attacks. After this course, you will be able to:

Analyse network protocols that are essential for an organisation’s operations.
Assess different cybersecurity attacks on network services.
Analyse security mechanisms at different network layers to meet an organisation’s security requirements.
Apply interpersonal skills to manage network security efficiently.

Cybersecurity Management (15 Credits)

Learners will analyse the requirements of cybersecurity management within an organisation and applies cybersecurity frameworks to manage risks. After this course, you will be able to:

Apply cybersecurity frameworks to assess cybersecurity risks in an organisation, and communicate the results to decision-makers.
Analyse the effects of security governance on an organisation’s information system operations and its stakeholders.
Apply professional and ethical practices in cybersecurity management.

Ethical Hacking and Testing (15 Credits)

Learners will analyse and apply different methods to perform hacking ethically and implement security mechanisms to protect the organisation’s information system. After this course, you will be able to:

Analyse penetration methodologies to plan and design ethical hacking processes.
Apply legal and organisational regulatory requirements in ethical hacking and testing.
Apply ethical hacking tools to exploit vulnerabilities in an organisation’s information system.
Assess, select, and implement security approaches and controls to support the organisation’s operations.

Cybersecurity Data Analysis (15 Credits)

Learners will analyse and apply the cybersecurity incident handling process and techniques in an information system to manage cybersecurity breaches. After this course, you will be able to:

Analyse data collection methods to monitor cybersecurity events.
Analyse security operation processes to monitor, detect, handle, and report cybersecurity incidents.
Identify and apply cybersecurity incident handling techniques to manage cybersecurity breaches.

Cybersecurity Project (30 Credits)

Learners will research, analyse, select, and apply a range of tools and techniques to develop a solution to a cybersecurity problem. Wherever possible, learners should implement a project on behalf of a client. After this course, you will be able to:

Analyse business requirements to identify potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Apply cybersecurity risk assessment to develop a project plan to produce a cybersecurity solution.
Assess and select cyber technologies to implement and validate cybersecurity solutions to meet business requirements.
Apply project management tools and techniques to manage the project efficiently.
Apply critical thinking skills to produce an innovative and timely solution for a cybersecurity project.
Apply professional and ethical practices to work effectively and efficiently for quality outcomes.
Apply communication skills to collaborate and present project development life cycle to relevant stakeholders.

Domestic Entry Requirements

To be eligible for entry to this programme, all applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the programme’s commencement for the semester they wish to enrol and meet the following criteria.

Have successfully completed a Level 5 qualification or above, which may include one of the below:

New Zealand Diploma in Information Technology Technical Support (Level 5);
New Zealand Diploma in Information Systems (Level 5);
New Zealand Diploma in Web Design and Development (Level 5);
New Zealand Diploma in Software Development (Level 6);
first year of an IT degree;

equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.

Have:
attained the age of 20 years on or before the first day of the semester in which study for the Certificate programme is to commence;

AND

provided sufficient evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other life experience that would indicate a successful outcome in the qualification.

In exceptional cases where an applicant does not meet the above entry requirements and who has not reached the age of 20 on or before the first day of the semester in which the programme is to commence may apply for discretionary admission.

In assessing whether to grant discretionary admission in exceptional cases, the primary focus will be on the applicant’s level of preparedness for study at the required level and will be at the discretion of the Executive Dean.

Programme Specific Admission
All applicants to this programme must provide the following:

Consent to UCOL undertaking a Police clearance check, or a Criminal Record Check, and advise UCOL of any current charges or pending court matters;
Provide a chronological summary of his or her work history, if any, for the preceding 5 years and the name of any professional organisations and/or licensing authorities and/or registration authorities that the applicant is a member of or been licensed by and that may be relevant to any proposed internship/industry placement;
Provide the names of 2 referees who may be contacted by UCOL
Consent to the above information being shared with any work-based project provider.

English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 5.5 with no band score less than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL Te Pūkenga NCEA explained page.

International Entry Requirements

In addition to clause a) above, International applicants must provide a police clearance certificate for any country that they have resided in for one or more years over the last 10 years. Please note that any documents must be notarised and no more than 12 months old at the time the Programme starts.

If the applicant is unable to obtain a police clearance certificate, they must provide proof of their attempts to obtain a certificate. This must be in the form of a statutory declaration that states whether they have any overseas criminal convictions or not. The form that the declaration should take is set out in Schedule 1 of New Zealand Legislation's Oaths and Declarations Act .

English Language Requirements
Applicants must have achieved a minimum standard of English as demonstrated by a minimum of 8 credits at NCEA Level 2 in English (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing).

English language proficiency
International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

Advice & Guidance

It is recommended that all applicants have a strong interest in the information and technology technical support field. Those who do not have recent experience of study, or who are unsure of the degree of work involved in a Level 6 programme, are advised to seek advice from the faculty staff before enrolment.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Te Pūkenga Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Blended Delivery
This programme uses blended delivery – combining in person, online, and in-work learning. Please contact the programme leader for more details.

Additional Costs

TBC