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The University of Sydney (UniSyd)

Camperdown , New South Wales ,Australia

Master of Complex Systems

The Master of Complex Systems degree will provide you with the expertise to model, analyse and design resilient technological, socioeconomic and socioecological systems, as well as develop strategies for crisis forecasting and management.
Smart cities, megaprojects, power and data grids, ecosystems, communication and transport networks are all complex systems. They generate rich interactions among components with interdependencies across systems. This interdependent behaviour creates challenges for designing and managing complex systems.

Complex systems are composed of numerous diverse interacting parts, making them susceptible to unexpected, large-scale, and apparently uncontrollable behaviours. Small changes can generate large, amplified effects. For example, a single malfunction in a local substation can lead to cascading state-wide electricity grid failures; and the emergence of a new pathogen in a remote village can give rise to a devastating global epidemic.

The Master of Complex Systems will develop your skills in quantitative modelling and computational simulation of system dynamics, complementing your existing skills in engineering, computer science, information technology, physics, mathematics, health, biology or business. These unique skills will enable you to operate across discipline boundaries, providing key input and insights to help solve complex global challenges.

As an expert in complex systems, you could pursue a career in major multinational research and development companies, government and crisis management agencies, health, construction or transport organisations.

You have the flexibility to tailor your learning to your professional interests with the choice of four specialisations: Engineering; Biosecurity; Research Methods; Transport.

You will undertake an industry-based capstone project. A research pathway is also available.
Commonwealth Supported Places

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.

Campus Information

Camperdown/Darlington

Our biggest campus is 72 hectares of state-of-the-art teaching and learning technology, including six libraries, art galleries, historical museums, perfectly manicured lawns, and the following faculties and schools:

Intakes

  • Feb
  • July

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Application Process

COE Process
5 Days

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Our Careers and Employability Office, dedicated to business students, offers a range of opportunities to explore your career options, plan your career, develop your skills, and network with recruiters and employers.

Our Careers and Employability Office offers a specialised career service to students across all of our degree programs. We are committed to helping you achieve your career aspirations and equipping you with the skills to thrive in your career.

Our career services will help you:

  • plan your career
  • develop your career decision making skills
  • tailor your resume and job applications
  • engage in experiential recruitment activities such as mock interviews and assessment centres
  • connect with top graduate recruiters and corporate partners through our programs.

We also offer the award-winning free Job Smart program, which enables international students to gain the skills and professional experience to gain employment when they graduate.

Business School students who engage early with career exploration, professional skill development and industry connections are best equipped to make their mark in today's complex and changing professional world.

Getting career ready with the Careers and Employability Office
Students explain how the Careers and Employability Office can help you get career ready throughout your studies.

Start planning your career now
We recommend that you begin your career-planning journey before you enrol and start your degree. Visit the below resources to discover your career options and help you choose the right subjects. 

Graduate Careers Australia provide detailed careers information and profiles across most areas including accounting, consultancy, government, human resources, IT, marketing, and international relations.
MyFuture assists school leavers with exploring career opportunities and different industries. Visit MyFuture to help you narrow down which majors you wish to study at the Business School.
Visit the Careers and Employabilty Office once you enrol. We’re located in the Careers and Student Experience Lounge, Basement Level, Abercrombie Building.

Course opportunities
Business internship for high-achieving students
High-achieving students have the option to undertake an assessable work placement in Australia or overseas, worth six credit points. Places in these units will be offered on a competitive basis and are subject to availability.

Business dissertation for high-achieving students
Students who achieve a weighted average mark (WAM) of 80 percent or higher in at least eight units of study (48 credit points) may apply to complete a 24 credit point research module comprising a supervised research dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words. Access to the business dissertation units is subject to an interview and the availability of suitable supervisors.

Career pathways
Sydney Master of Commerce graduates will acquire the skills and knowledge to pursue high-level positions in industry or government, in areas relevant to their specialisations. For example, the degree can prepare you for positions in accounting, marketing or other specialist fields. It also gives you a thorough understanding of commerce for use in many business fields.

PSW Opportunity

  • 2 year Post Study Work Visa Opportunity

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for admission, an applicant is required to have:

  • a pass in bachelor's degree with a credit average (65 percent) in a quantitative discipline; or
  • an honours bachelor’s degree, from the University of Sydney, or qualifications deemed by the faculty to be equivalent; or
  • a University of Sydney Graduate Diploma in Complex Systems with a credit average (65 percent), or equivalent qualification.

English Language Requirements:

  • IELTS score A minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band
  • TOEFL - IBT score A minimum result of 96 overall including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearsons Test of English A minimum result of 68 overall and a minimum result of 54 in each band