Graduate Diploma Programme
Cybersecurity Response Planning (Optional Co-op)
A two-term graduate certificate that combines technical and risk-management skills so graduates can help organizations prevent, prepare for and respond to cyber-attacks. It builds on earlier computing or IT studies, mixes business and operational technical training, and uses hands-on labs and real-world challenges designed by Conestoga faculty and researchers. A one-term optional co-op is available.
University
Conestoga College
Country
Canada
Level
Graduate Diploma
Field
Cybersecurity
Duration
1 year (2 academic terms + 1 co-op term, if applicable)
Language
English
Campus
Waterloo
Degree
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Intake
September, January, May
Application Deadline
International applicants: Conestoga accepts applications until a program reaches capacity and does not keep waitlists, so apply early; incomplete applications close when the program closes. Canadian applicants (September 2027): February 1, 2027 is the equal-consideration date; most programs keep accepting applications after that while space remains, but most oversubscribed programs do not
Tuition Information
Conestoga lists 2026-27 fees of CAD 7,965 tuition (about CAD 9,679 with compulsory fees) for Canadian students, and CAD 16,809 tuition (about CAD 19,908 with compulsory fees, including health insurance) for international students. These are the 2026-27 (September 2026 to August 2027) rates; Conestoga says fees for programs starting September 2027 or later will be published in spring 2027. A non-refundable CAD 2,500 deposit is required from international students to hold a seat.
Admission Requirements
- Apply: international applicants use the ontariocolleges.ca (OCAS) international applicant portal and pay a CAD 100 application fee; Canadian applicants apply through ontariocolleges.ca. After an offer, international students pay the non-refundable CAD 2,500 deposit and Conestoga requests the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) needed for the study permit
- Academic: an Ontario College diploma, advanced diploma, degree or equivalent with at least a B average (assessed to Ontario standards) in computer science, IT, software engineering, computer programming, computer systems or applications development, or a graduate certificate in computer applications or mobile solutions development with a B average. Related fields with substantial software development, such as health informatics, may be considered
- International applicants must meet the same program requirements with equivalent qualifications, and upload both their graduation document and transcript (Conestoga lists accepted documents by country)
- English proficiency (if your previous studies were not in English): IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 88 with no skill below 22 (or 5.0 on the new 1-6 scale), PTE Academic 58, Duolingo 120, CAEL 70 (no sub-test below 60) or Cambridge 180 (no skill below 170). Conestoga applies this higher tier to graduate certificates and degrees
- International intakes listed on the program page as of October 5, 2026: January 2027 at Waterloo: open; September 2027 at Waterloo: upcoming; January 2028 at Waterloo: upcoming; May 2028 at Waterloo: upcoming. "Upcoming" is Conestoga's status for an intake that is not yet open for applications. Listed for Canadian applicants only (no international offering): May 2027 at Waterloo (suspended)
- Conestoga lists this program (code 1580) on its PGWP-aligned programs page under CIP code 11.1003. Conestoga notes that it does not determine PGWP eligibility; IRCC makes the final decision and applicants should check IRCC's current list
- Co-op is optional: everyone is admitted to the non co-op program, and seats in the co-op stream depend on the labour market and Level 1 grades (Conestoga asks for at least an 80% weighted average with no dropped or failed courses). International students need a work permit to take co-op jobs