Cyber Security and Forensic Information Technology (MSc)

You'll study twin, linked disciplines on this master's: cyber security – protecting data and systems from cyber attack, and forensic information technology – detecting and collecting digital evidence of criminal activity. You'll explore methods used by hackers, and how to prevent or combat them. 

• Prevent and prosecute digital crime, by shaping your IT skills for a connected business world that craves your expertise. 
• You'll also learn the procedures to follow after an attack, and how to present this information to investigators or court officials. 
• In our computer labs and forensic facilities, you'll infect a virtual machine with a virus of your own, overcome anti-forensic tools that try to hide evidence of crime, and make a mock arrest of a cybercriminal. You'll dig into cryptography, hacking and formal computer languages, such as Linux. 
• When you graduate, you'll be set to enter a sector with a massive need for trained cyber security and forensic information technology professionals. UK government figures from 2022 show 50% of businesses acknowledge having a skills gap in cyber security and forensics, which you'll be ideally placed to fill.

Course highlights

• Master parallel disciplines in digital security and forensic investigation, and expand your career options in a connected world that needs cyber skills more than ever
• Use our specialist facilities, including multi-platform network suites, pervasive computing lab for high performance computing, usability lab with eye-tracking equipment, forensics lab and crime scene simulations
• Investigate real-life case studies, identify digital trails, compile evidence and engage with ethical hacking, using current forensic tools and systems such as AccessData, Cellebrite and Tryhackme
• Explore contemporary cybersecurity issues: blockchain and cryptocurrency, money laundering, the Internet of Things, drones, and anti-forensic techniques
• Design and deliver your own forensic IT engineering or study project, shaping this Master's to your interests
• Learn formal logic, Linux and symbolic notation used in digital forensics and cyber security

Eligibility

• This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

Core

• On this full-time MSc Cyber Security and Forensic Information Technology course, you'll study 4 core modules, and choose 30 credits of optional modules

Masters Project - 60 credits

• Showcase your analytical, technical and research skills by independently investigating an ambitious real-world problem.

Challenges in Cyber Forensics - 30 credits

• Explore the threats and opportunities facing contemporary cyber forensics.

Computer and Mobile Forensics - 30 credits

• Understand the digital forensics process, from investigation to giving evidence.

Systems, Security and Hacking - 30 credits

• Penetrate cybersecurity defences, communicate weaknesses, and secure vulnerabilities against attack.

Options

Big Data and Machine Learning Applications - 30 credits

• Apply big data and machine learning methods to reveal actionable insights in emerging technologies.

Network Services and Cyber Security - 30 credits

• Develop advanced skills to secure networks and manage business-critical infrastructure.

Business Intelligence - 15 credits

• Develop your business intelligence (BI) toolkit to analyse raw data and guide strategic decisions.

Cloud Computing - 15 credits

• Design, deploy and manage a cloud-based business solution.

Cyber Security for Information Systems - 15 credits

• Develop specialised cyber security skills, ready to protect critical business systems, improve their resilience, and analyse the impact of security breaches.

Data Visualisation and Exploratory Analytics - 15 credits

• Transform financial data into intuitive visual narratives that reveal fresh perspectives for the decision making process.

Global Cybersecurity Issues - 15 credits

• Develop a holistic understanding of international cybersecurity responses to international threats.

Changes to course content

• We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
• Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Career development
Careers this Master's prepares you for

• You'll graduate from this Master's with skills that are in heavy demand. The UK Government's £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy aims to "ensure the UK continues to be a leading responsible and democratic cyber power", and shows how businesses in the private and public sectors need to fill a large cyber skills gap to meet that aim. 

You'll have studied twin disciplines within that skills gap, so you'll be qualified for roles in preventing digital crime, or investigating and prosecuting those who commit it. You'll be able to work in fields including:

• Law enforcement
• IT auditing
• Information security
• High-tech crime units
• Commercial investigation
• National security bodies
• Systems administration
• Security analysis

You could also go on to further research study at PhD level.

Teaching

• Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
• You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree. If you choose campus based study, the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.

Teaching on this course includes:

• Practical sessions
• Courtroom and hacking simulations
• Lectures and theory sessions
• Guest speakers and alumni 

Assessment
You'll be assessed through:

• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Group and individual lab and mock trial assessments
• Dissertation / project