MSc Cyber Security
You will be able to resolve digital, cyber and network security problems, design, develop and manage computing and network solutions for the resolution of cyber security issues. You'll also have the ability to evaluate current and emergent technologies within their legal, social, ethical and commercial context.
Graduate opportunities
The programme curriculum will enable graduates to pursue careers in a variety of Cyber Security roles including:
- Cyber security analyst
- Security tester
- Security engineer
- Cyber security and information risk advisor
- Cyber security/information assurance architect
- Information security accreditor
- Cyber security/information assurance auditor IT/network security engineer
- Cyber security forensics analyst
Modules:
Fundamentals of Routing and Switching; Cyber Defence and Penetration Testing; Network Security; Secure Operations; Secure Connectivity; Cyber Forensics and Incident Response; Information Security Management; Research and Project Methods; MSc Project.
The course takes place over one year, with taught modules in trimesters A and B, followed by an MSc Project in the summer (trimester C).Trimester A modules:
Fundamentals of Routing and Switching
You will be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to determine appropriate design choices for layer 2 and layer 3 solutions, implement them and verify their operation.
Cyber Defence and Penetration Testing
You will appreciate the various stages of a penetration test while analysing how ethical hackers can use tools to break into insecure network systems and how these attacks may be mitigated
Research and Project Methods (A B)
You will acquire the background knowledge and skills that, in combination with the technical skills acquired in other taught modules, will enable them to carry an MSc Dissertation through to a successful conclusion.
Secure Operations
This module provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate a complex threat environment. You will learn and perform the functions needed to secure networks and services in a security operations centre environment.
Trimester B modules:
Cyber Forensics and Incident Response
The module focuses on crucial analytical techniques for responding to security breaches and investigating cyber incidents. This includes the analysis, evaluation and reverses engineering of malicious code for forensic examination.
Information Security Management
This module examines strategic approaches that can be taken to manage organisational resilience. It will focus on areas critical to maintaining resilience on both a day-to-day operational basis and in the event of a crisis situation.
Network Security
This module provides you with the ability to plan network security solutions. You will get the practical experience needed to construct and verify the effectiveness of network security tools in a modern environment.
Secure Connectivity
You will be provided with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to determine appropriate design choices for virtual private network and security solutions, implement them and verify their operation.
Trimester C modules:
Masters Project
The Project acts as a vehicle for extending your knowledge and understanding in your technical area and affords the opportunity to develop creativity through a major piece of technological work.
All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.
Minimum academic requirement
UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) which contains a substantial computing or information and communications technology component.English language
English language requirement: IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 5.5.Please note: if you are from a majority English speaking country, you may not be required to provide further proof of your English Language proficiency.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
For applicants with prior work experience and professional qualifications, there is a possibility to be considered through the university’s flexible entry system through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
This process allows prospective graduate apprentices to claim credit(s) against previously assessed and certificated learning, including informal learning, to be considered and recognised for academic purposes and credit within their course.
Advanced entry may also be granted through RPL. Skills, knowledge, academic qualifications and experience will all be used to inform which year of the degree you will enter into.
International pathways
The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?
Annual full-time tuition fees 2021/22
Home and RUK: £6,000
EU and International: £13,500
Fees are subject to change and published here for guidance only.
Additional costs
As a student at the University, there are additional fees and costs which may or may not apply to you, but that you should be aware of.
Scholarships
We provide high-quality education for a fair price; as the University for the Common Good, we are committed to offering accessible higher education for talented students by keeping our tuition fees low and providing a generous scholarship package of £2 million per year.
Modules typically use continuous assessments based on a mix of hands-on skills tests, online tests and written work.
Online assessment methods allow us to offer feedback to our students more quickly. Traditional written exams are kept to a minimum.