Cyber Security (MSc)

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).

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
• If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

First year
ISO27000 Framework (Information Security Management System)

• Network Security
• Applied Cryptography
• Cyber Physical Systems Security
• Business Systems Security
• Ethical Hacking
• Dissertation

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.

Career prospects

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

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. 

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.