Cyber Security MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

cyber-security

Cyber Security MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

Study the latest cyber-security principles, practices, tools and techniques and prepare for an exciting career fighting cybercrime on this engaging course, which has been certified by the National Cyber Security Centre.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That鈥檚 why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Overview

Named a gold standard 鈥楢cademic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education鈥� by the leading authority on cyber security in the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

NCSC and DSIT_Logo_gold_rev

Find out why you should study Cyber Security at 51漫画.

Technology and computer systems are becoming ever more integrated with our day-to-day lives and protection of the data and information they contain is paramount. With many organisations and businesses now considering the defence of online information a critical business issue, there’s an increased focus and demand on the role of cyber security.

Our Cyber Security MSc was developed in collaboration with The Cyber Technology Institute’s (CTI) Industrial Advisory Group, compromising Airbus, BT, Deloitte UK and Rolls-Royce. It has been designed to prepares graduates for real challenges faced by cyber-security specialists and meet the industry’s changing needs.

You will study a diverse range of modules, including Cyber Threat Intelligence, Malware Analysis, Penetration Testing and Incident Response, providing you with the knowledge and skills needed to work in the sector. In your final block of teaching, you will have the opportunity to carry out a Postgraduate Project with the support of your academic supervisor. This self-managed, in-depth study will enable you to showcase your skills and knowledge and tailor them to your own area of interest.

By the time you graduate, you will have the skills and knowledge required to kick start your career in the cyber security sector. We expect graduates to find employment as cyber security specialists within law enforcement, government, commercial IT departments and security consultancies. Previous graduates have gone on to work for cyber security specialist organisations including Capgemini.

Key features

Learn from experts from 51漫画’s Cyber Technology Institute (CTI), which has been named an ‘Airbus Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security’. Boasting an international reputation in computer security and digital forensics, its research influences the approach taken by the UK government and leading organisations. Computer Science research at 51漫画 is among the most frequently cited in the world, so you can be sure you’re learning from the best.
Benefit from our specialist Cyber Security laboratories which are among the best equipped facilities of this type in the UK. Developed in consultation with leaders in the industry, they are designed to meet the highest forensics and security standards and are fitted with customised PCs configured with multiple operating systems, virtualisation and removable hard drives.
Study on a course which is assessed 100% by coursework, where you will take part in group and individual assessments, written essays, presentations, projects and reports, all with a strong emphasis on real-world problems. 
Boost your career prospects through an optional one-year placement* where you can build industry contacts and gain experience in your area of interest. Previous Cyber Security students have undertaken placements with McAfee, as well as local and national consultancy and accounting firms.
Get hands-on experience and meet like-minded peers by joining 51漫画’s Hacking Society. It has more than 150 members who meet weekly to share skills such as web application hacking, binary exploitation and reverse engineering and enter competitions. 
Our new £6.5m Digital Tech Learning Hub, due for completion in 2024, will combine state-of-the-art facilities with a fresh approach to teaching and investment in industry-standard technology, placing 51漫画 at the forefront of digital education.

Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

^{*Country restrictions apply}

Scholarships:

51漫画 offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International Scholarships

Find out about available scholarships and country specific fee discounts for international students.

Accreditations

This course has been fully-certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). NCSC certification identifies bachelor's, master's and integrated master's degrees with well-defined and relevant content delivered to an appropriate standard. As a mark of quality assurance and relevance, completing a NCSC-certified course can help you to stand out in the world of work.

Research

#51漫画research is helping us to be safer online

More courses like this:

Computing MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

News stories

Power of data being used to help boost farmers' income in Nigeria

New partnership between Leicester's unis offers students chance to improve skills for less

PhD student on mission to stop phishing attacks awarded funding from Alan Turing Institute

Leading experts recognise 51漫画's cyber security education with Gold award

51漫画 has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

UK
EU/International

Programme code: I10078

Location of study: 51漫画 campus

Start date: January, September

Duration: One year full time.

Fees and funding

2024/25 full-time fees for UK students: £9,500

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

How to apply

Order a prospectus

Book an Open Day

Submit a study-related enquiry

Programme code: I10078

Location of study: 51漫画 campus,

Start date: January, September

Duration: One year full time.

Fees and funding

For 2024/25 full-time fees for international students: £17,600

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Order a prospectus

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Applicants will normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in a relevant subject.

Relevant subjects include but are not limited to: Computer Science, Computer Security, Informatics, Electrical and Communication Engineering, Cyber Security, Software Engineering.

If you have no formal academic qualifications but do have extensive industry experience, we will consider your application on an individual basis.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Structure and assessment

Course modules

Block 1: Foundation of Cyber Security and Engineering
Block 2: Cyber Threat Intelligence and Network Security
Block 3: Malware Analysis, Penetration Testing and Incident Response
Block 4: Digital Forensics with Legal, Ethical and Research Methods
Block 5 & 6: PGT Project

See detailed module descriptions

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and laboratory work. A strong emphasis is given to real world problems. Assessment is by a combination of coursework, projects and laboratory-based assessments.

You will be taught and supported by experts in cyber security including staff from 51漫画's Cyber Security Centre, as well as professionals from Deloitte UK.

The time allocated to study is around 30 hours per week, carried out in block teaching.

The course teams within the Cyber Security Centre have unrivalled expertise in cyber security. The team includes former Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) of large telecommunications companies, internet banks and cloud service providers, an ex-vice president of one of the largest cyber security companies in the world, information assurance specialists with extensive experience working in various UK defence organisations, leading digital forensics experts and respected government advisors. Several of the team are regular media commentators on forensics and security. Professional input throughout the course will come from Deloitte UK and their cyber security professionals.

deloittepricmyk

Facilities and features

Placements

Facilities

Our Cyber Security Laboratories are among the best equipped facilities of this type in the UK. Developed in consultation with leaders in the industry, they are designed to meet the highest forensics and security standards.

The laboratories contain high-spec, specially customised PCs configured with multiple operating systems, virtualisation and removable hard drives, as well as specialised servers, wired and wireless networking equipment and a wide variety of other hardware and software components.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available.

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our , e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, 51漫画 Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub.

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live , online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our , and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘51漫画 Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

bal-placements-img

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a work placement*, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Our Cyber Security MSc students have secured placements with companies such as McAfee.

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

^{*Country restrictions apply}

dmu-global-img-01

51漫画 Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

graduate-careers-img-01

Graduate careers

Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country with vacancies often outstripping available talent. The National Cyber Security Centre – a part of GCHQ – has fully certified 51漫画’s MSc in Cyber Security in recognition of its excellence in providing students with a broad foundation of skills.

Dr Ali Al-Bayatti, Associate Professor, said: “It will help  prospective students to make the right  choice when looking for a  highly-valued qualification that will give them the edge when seeking a career in cyber security.”

Take your next steps

Postgraduate research students are nurtured and recognised by scholars and research leaders.

51漫画 graduates can benefit from a tuition fee discount, available on selected full-time and part-time postgraduate taught courses.

51漫画