Cyber Security (MSc)

Join the fight against malicious programs and cybercrime on our computer science (cyber security) msc. We will give you the skills you need to become a cyber security and digital forensics professional – intercepting, collecting, analysing and reporting the events in cyberspace and digital media. 

• Put yourself on the cyber security front line with Staffordshire University. We have specialised computer laboratories, isolated from university networks, to give you vital experience in the most current security threats - and more importantly, how to protect against and neutralise them.
• With us, you will gain advanced knowledge and skills in the theories, principles, practices and technologies of cyber security and digital forensics. Our research-driven and industry-connected academic staff also aim to enrich you in the different ethical and lawful issues, to make you readily employable after graduation.
• Our course is focused around recent advances and developments as well as employer-needs and covers the notion of software weaponisation, and the tools and technologies in discovering the cybercrime. 
• If you choose to leave before completing the full 180 credit MSc course, you are entitled to a lower award if you have achieved pass grades for the necessary credits. This would be 60 taught module credits for a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) or 120 taught module credits for a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip).
• On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Cyber Security

Course content

• Our course will provide you with not only a thorough understanding of the tool and techniques involved in cyber security and digital forensics, but the opportunity to specialise in certain branches in each stage of the course.
• Modules will give you a rounded knowledge of cyber security, cybercrime analysis, penetration testing, mobile forensics, and digital forensics, ready for you to complete your final dissertation.
• The MSc dissertation is your final project and your chance to specialise in whatever field of cyber security you choose. This will be supervised by one of our industry-expert academics and is a chance to showcase your knowledge, and provide you with a springboard to launch yourself into a cyber security career.

Modules

• The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules

• Digital Forensics 20 credits
• Dissertation 60 credits
• Machine Learning In Cyber 20 credits
• Operating Systems And Network Security 20 credits
• Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking 20 credits
• Quantum Computing And Cryptography 20 credits
• Research Methods And Dissertation Proposal

An undergraduate honours degree (grade 2.2 or above in a related computing discipline from a UK University or the international equivalent).

If you do not meet the above but have significant appropriate experience, your application will be considered, provided that you satisfy the University that you are capable of responding to the challenge of postgraduate work. 

If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you are fluent enough to cope with the course. A minimum score of IELTS 6 or TOEFL 550 (213 computer-based) is normally required.

After completing the Computer Science (Cyber Security) MSc, you’ll be equipped to work in the following roles:

• Security engineer
• Security analyst
• Security administrator
• Digital Forensic Investigator
• Security specialist
• Security consultant

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

Teaching
We know that everyone learns differently. So, not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you will:

• Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
• Be expected to study independently
• Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project.

Assessment

• There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).
• Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.
• You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module. These could include essays, exams, or portfolios.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

• Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
• Academic writing (including how to reference)
• Research skills
• Critical thinking
• Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

• If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

• We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.
• We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.