The Bachelor of Counter Terrorism Security and Intelligence is a specialised undergraduate degree that brings together the key aspects of national and international security, with a strong emphasis on contemporary security issues facing Australia and the world. Typically completed over three years full-time, the course equips students with a deep understanding of terrorism, intelligence gathering, information security, critical infrastructure protection, and security risk management. Students spend their foundational year building core knowledge across terrorism studies, security risk, computer security, and intelligence principles, before specialising in areas such as countering the terrorist threat, cyber intelligence, or security management. The course typically offers multiple major streams — including criminology, information security, political studies, and psychology — allowing students to tailor their degree to specific career goals.

The course is designed for students who are passionate about making communities and nations safer. It suits those who want to work at the intersection of technology, law enforcement, policy, and intelligence. The degree prepares graduates for a broad range of employers including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), the Department of Home Affairs, state and territory police services, the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and private security consulting firms. Graduates are also employed by corporate organisations requiring security risk and intelligence functions, as well as international agencies and non-government organisations.

Most Australian providers offering this degree accept applicants on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), with typical minimum scores ranging from around 60 to 75 depending on the institution and intake year. Alternative pathways are widely available — including completion of an AQF Certificate IV, an Undergraduate Certificate, a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or prior higher education study at an Australian institution. Some providers also offer Experience-Based Entry Schemes, recognising relevant work or life experience, particularly for mature-age applicants who may have backgrounds in the military, law enforcement, or emergency services.

For students whose first language is not English, institutions typically require evidence of English proficiency. Minimum IELTS scores of 6.0 overall (with no band below 6.0) are commonly required, though some providers accept completion of Year 12 English at a specified grade as an alternative. Other accepted English proficiency pathways include completion of partial study at an Australian university, or equivalent qualifications from English-speaking countries such as the UK, USA, New Zealand, Canada, or Ireland.

Some specialised major streams within the degree — such as those with a criminology, psychology, or law focus — may have additional or higher entry requirements. International students should note that course-specific admission requirements apply in addition to standard English proficiency requirements, and they are encouraged to review individual provider entry criteria carefully before applying. Students without the required academic background may be eligible to gain entry through preparatory or pathway programs offered by most institutions.