Cyber Security (MSc)

Become a digital crime fighter. Learn how to protect the world’s computer systems, programs, networks and devices from cyber threats and attacks by exploring cyber security and digital forensics. 

Course overview

• Networked computers run our world. From homes to hospitals, airports to banks and all stops in between, everything is connected – but these systems are susceptible to infiltration and attack. On our MSc Cyber Security course, you’ll gain the expertise to become part of the defence. 
• By learning to design, implement and manage computer-based systems security on this masters, you’ll develop the skills and confidence to succeed in a wide range of cyber security roles. This could include security designer, ethical hacker, and digital forensics officer. 
• Starting with the fundamentals, you’ll gain a broad understanding of the different levels of computer and network security. You’ll then explore both the technical aspects and the logistics of planning and implementing network security management. Crucially, you’ll develop the skills to investigate systems after a breach. 
• You’ll also complete a masters project. While you’ll have plenty of support along the way, it’s a solo research project designed to develop your confidence, autonomy and self-sufficiency – qualities that can take you far in the workplace. 
• Right now, there is a demand for cyber security specialists in almost every sector. It is a demand our graduates are equipped to meet.

Features and benefits

• Professional accreditation – This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) – The Chartered Institute for IT – and provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), providing strong industry connections and a professional focus. 
• Excellent standards – Recognised for our expertise, the department is a member of the Oracle Academy and an academic partner of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec).  
• Professional study environment – We’ve invested over £115 million to transform the way we teach and the way our students learn. The new Dalton building is equipped with dynamic learning spaces, world-class teaching and research facilities and collaborative study zones. This means you’ll graduate with the skills and experiences employers look for. 
• Optional placement year – Boost your career prospects and put theory into practice with the option to take an industry placement year.  
• Institute of Coding – The Department of Computing and Mathematics is part of the £40m national Institute of Coding (IoC). Our students have access to the IoC’s cutting-edge computer lab to hone their skills in this area.
• Learn alongside world-leading research – 86% of our research outputs in Computer Science are rated world-leading and internationally excellent (REF, 2021). Our Cyber Security research provides ‘zero-trust’, artificial intelligence-enabled and cryptographic solutions to a range of cyber security challenges helping to deliver secure, resilient, and efficient services.

Course information

• Our masters in cyber security is made up of core modules covering topics from the principles of cyber security to Penetration Testing and IOT Security. You can choose to study the course full-time over one year, or part-time, where you’ll complete the modules over two years. You may also choose to take an additional one-year optional industry placement on the full-time route.  
• Starting with the fundamentals, you’ll gain a broad understanding of the different levels of computer and network security. You’ll focus on the principles, architectures and protocols used in modern large-scale networked systems. As you progress, you’ll explore the technical aspects more thoroughly. This includes wireless systems, operating systems and interfacing socket programming, as well as servers and their security implications, and encryption algorithms. You’ll look at the logistics of planning and implementing network security management, including security, risk analysis and disaster recovery planning.  
• But building defences to deter hackers is only one side of the cyber security coin. You’ll also become something of a digital detective, as you learn how to investigate systems after a breach. You’ll look at the phases of a forensics investigation, from understanding how the breach occurred, to analysing the digital evidence trail, to learning how to plug the gap for the future. And because you’ll be dealing with other people’s private data, you’ll explore the legal and ethical issues involved.  
• Finally, you'll complete an in-depth independent research project. With the support of our academic and technical team, you’ll undertake a piece of research on a topic of your choice related to your studies. This will involve designing, implementing and evaluating a substantial piece of software and documenting the research through writing a dissertation.   
• Throughout this cyber security masters, you’ll be supported by highly professional staff with practical experience at the forefront of this dynamic landscape. You’ll have access to our specialist labs with the latest hardware and software that will give you hands-on project experience in real-world network security scenarios.  

Year 1

• You'll study nine core modules, including your individual research project. If you're studying full-time, you’ll complete your modules within one year. If you choose to study part-time, you’ll complete all the modules over two years. 
• If you choose to apply to study full-time with an optional industry placement year, the MSc course will be two years and you'll start your placement after completing all the core modules in year one. 

Core modules

• Advanced Computer Networks
• Advanced Network Security
• Cryptography and Applications
• Information Security Management
• Penetration Testing and IOT Security
• Principles and Practices of Cyber Security
• Principles and Practices of Digital Forensics
• Secure Systems Development
• MSc Project

Placement options

• Strengthen your skillset by spending time in industry on a placement year, applying the skills you’ve learned throughout your academic studies in a practical, real-world environment. It’s an excellent opportunity to develop a professional career development plan and gain transferable workplace skills that can boost your employability. 
• Following completion of the taught elements of your MSc course, you can gain additional practice credits by working for a minimum of 36 weeks and a maximum of 42 weeks in an industrial setting, relevant to your course.
• It’s your responsibility to search and apply for advertised placement opportunities, but you’ll be supported by academic staff and the University’s Careers and Employability Service to find a placement that is suited to you and your career ambitions. However, not all students can be guaranteed a placement. 
• All placements are approved and monitored in accordance with the University’s Institutional Code of Practice for Placement and Work‐Based Learning. For international students, this includes additional checks on study visas to ensure the appropriate visa status.   

Study and assessment breakdown

• Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A masters qualification typically comprises of 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits and an MFA 300 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:

Study

• Full-time 20 percent lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study
• Full-time with placement 10 percent lectures, seminars or similar; 50% placement; 40% independent study
• Part-time 20 percent  lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study

Assessment

• Full-time 100 percent coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination
• Full-time with placement 100 percent coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination
• Part-time 100 percent coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Taught by experts

• Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
• We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.

Career prospects

• The advanced skills and understanding you’ll develop on our MSc course can take you into cyber security roles across a range of industries, in both the public and private sectors. 

You could apply for jobs like: 

• Information security specialist 
• Software engineer for information security 
• Ethical hacker 
• Security designer 
• Security tester

Your masters could also provide a foundation for further studies. For example, going on to study a PhD.