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Cyber Security

MSc

Duration
Start date
Location

Suitable for applications.

Please note: We are no longer able to accept applications from international students for the September 2024 intake of this course. You are welcome to apply for the January 2025 intake. Home students can still apply for September 2024.

Overview

The main goal of MSc Cyber Security is to prepare professionally trained graduates for industry. It has been designed to offer graduates the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of cyber security as a discipline. The focus within this programme on the principles, technologies and practices of cyber security helps you to gain the appropriate skills for future PhD studies and research careers as well as to become competent practitioners. The programme comprises particular developments in security with a firm base in academic research and also offers the opportunity for you to study selected topics in advanced computer science.

Included in the programme is the opportunity to enhance industry relevant skills with study in ISO27001 Lead Implementer and Ethical Hacking. These skill areas were highlighted by past alumni and industry practitioners for inclusion in the programme. Therefore, you have the opportunity to gain additional qualifications in: Certified ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer; and CEH v10 Ethical Hacking.

This programme meets a continued growing demand for specialists in this area by offering a way for individuals in current employment with relevant industry experience as well as recent graduates to study and enhance and develop their skills. The MSc Cyber Security programme will therefore draw graduates wishing to enhance their undergraduate studies in computing with advanced study of security to equip them for senior positions with responsibility for the IT technical and management based security of an organisation. In addition, the programme encourages those with relevant industry skills to specialise in cyber security or refine and develop their existing expertise.

All of our computer science students are automatically enrolled as student members of the British Computer Society (BCS).

Professional accreditation

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. 

Our ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Training is Certified by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB).

Provisionally certified by National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Professional Evaluation and Certification Board logoBCS accredited degree logoNSCS cyber security provisional accreditation logo

Entry requirements

2:2 or above in computer science, computer engineering, informatics or other computer-related subjects (including management disciplines such as finance, economics, business studies etc.) from an approved degree-awarding body.

Candidates who do not fulfil the normal entry requirements but have extensive industrial experience in a related area are considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements

IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent

What you will study

All module information is for 2024 entry, and is subject to change.

Learning and assessment

The programme includes innovative and active learning methods. Throughout your programme, we make use of case studies so that you can apply your theoretical understanding to real-world issues. In this way, abstract concepts are brought to life through practical activities.

We also use methods associated with the “flipped classroom” where content is outside the classroom leaving more time and space for activities and active learning within tutorial and lecture sessions.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2024

  • Home: £9,462
  • International: £24,180

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

The course is designed to equip graduates for senior positions with responsibility for the IT-based security of an organisation.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Meet our academics

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.