The issue of cyber security continues to be a major issue for both individuals and large corporations. In 2023 it was reported by the NCC Cyber Threat Monitor Report that the number of annual ransomware cases were up 84% compared to 2022.
For businesses, it is no longer a question of if a cyber-attack will occur but rather when, and as such, the demand for qualified IT security professionals has risen exponentially. Worldwide, the cyberworkforce shortfall will likely be approximately 3.5 million people by 2025, according to CyberSecurity Ventures in 2023. Northumbria University’s part-time MSc Cyber Security has been designed to give you the skills to meet this increased demand, including how to handle security incidents, identify new and existing threats, and determine methods to minimise them.
Our MSc Cyber Security will teach you how to handle security incidents, identify new and existing threats and determine methods to minimise them. We will also provide in-depth coverage of the fundamental concepts, principles and technologies for network security. Going beyond just theoretical theory, you will be given a practical understanding of governance and assurance, along with technology risk practices.
Our MSc Cyber Security has been awarded provisional certification in Cyber Security from the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre). This places us in an elite group of postgraduate providers which have achieved this standard.
Our MSc Cyber Security is designed to allow you to fit your studies around your working life and is assessed through modular assignments, and a final dissertation.
Cyber security has become an increasingly recurring issue for businesses, governments and the public. Given this, businesses and governments alike have significantly invested in their cyber security systems.
With all this investment, there are a plethora of career options following completion of this course, typical roles include:
From your Programme Leader, Hamid Jahankhani:
Cyber Security reading:
Part-Time study:
If you do not have the required technical expertise from either previous study, professional qualifications or work experience, you may find the MSc Cyber Security Technology more suitable.
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Please visit our entry requirements page for country-specific qualifications.
Please note that if your qualifications are not in English, we might need certified translations in order to proceed with your application.
Please note: we are not currently able to sponsor international students to study this programme. If you require sponsorship to study as an international student, this course will unfortunately be unavailable to you. For an alternative option, have a look at our full-time MSc Cyber Security programme.
All modules on this course are core and 20 credits unless otherwise stated.
In this module, you will learn about the information governance and cyber security principles that underpin the management of an organisation’s information assets. You will critically analyse the key concepts, theories, standards and frameworks of information governance and security, including risk management.
It will enable you to evaluate an organisation’s current approach to information governance and cyber security. You will have the expertise to advise on the design and implementation of an appropriate strategy for managing an organisation’s information (ensuring all assets meet legal, regulatory, organisational and/or societal needs for information governance and
The main objective of this module is to provide you with in-depth coverage of the fundamental concepts, principles and technologies for network security. This module will provide you with a theoretical and practical understanding on two important aspects related to security namely, data security and network security.
The module will cover a number of topics including cryptography, classical systems, IP protocol security, private and public-key cryptography, cryptographic protocols, hash functions, authentication, signature schemes, email and web security, viruses, and firewalls. The concepts introduced in lectures are reinforced with the help of extensive hands-on laboratory workshops.
You will also have the opportunity to develop practical networking skills by using Cisco IOS, a configuration of firewalls, switches and routers. You will also explore the wider impact of security via a consideration of related legal, ethical and social issues.
This module is designed to be suitable for a variety of networking professional roles including those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of 802.11 protocols, security and enterprise deployment. You will study enterprise wireless deployment elements and methodologies. Basic RF characteristics for mobile systems. 802.11 protocol operation and technologies wireless security issues and attack vulnerabilities.
This module will provide students with in-depth knowledge of the processes used in assuring the security of information during use, sharing, storage, transmission and disposal. It will cover the protection of the integrity, authenticity, availability and confidentiality of all classes of information. The module is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the resilience of business activities during threats and disruptive events thus enabling the assessment of potential risks to the business which could result from disasters or emergency situations.
This module will enable learners to develop a deep understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of Ethical Hacking. An essential part of a modern organisation’s e-security includes rigorous testing and analysis to determine vulnerabilities. Carrying out such work requires a special skill set, which crosses, legal issues, psychology, computer networks along with a detailed understanding of system vulnerabilities and exploits. Additionally, you will be exposed to a collection of industry-standard hacking tools and will learn how to apply these in an ethical manner to determine system vulnerabilities.
Throughout the world of science, engineering, technology and business, the ability to pursue research is seen as a requisite for continued career progression in the appropriate subject discipline. This module introduces students to the nature of research and the processes involved in carrying out research. General research approaches and methods for research will be introduced including literature searching, evaluation and reviewing. This general introduction will be followed by the inclusion of topics specifically designed to meet the requirements of the students’ programme of study.
The aim of this module is to enable you to undertake a substantial academic research project at Masters Level and present the results from this work in both written and oral forms. Your project itself will be a major piece of independent and original research centred at the forefront of your programme discipline within the wider sphere of the computer science and digital technologies field.
The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2023/24. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.
Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University London Campus student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.
The modules you will study do not require you to purchase additional textbooks although we recommend you allow an additional £200-250 for the duration of your studies should you choose to purchase any additional reading materials.
Your tuition fees cover far more than your time in class with our expert academics, it covers the cost of providing you with excellent services and student experience.
To help spread the cost of your tuition, we offer our self-funded part-time Master’s students an instalment plan.
Once you have paid your deposit, your remaining tuition fee balance will then be split across 6 instalments over the duration of your programme. For any ad hoc payment plan requests, students are advised to contact us directly via the student portal.
Please note that self-funded students are required to pay a deposit of £2,450.
If you are a UK/Home student, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,000+ from the UK Government. Click here to find out more about the loan and whether you are eligible to receive it.
Enquire now to find out more information about the course, studying with us, the application process, and to ask any other questions you may have.
Once you’re ready to apply, you can apply online to study the part-time MSc Cyber Security programme. This method allows you to upload your supporting documents at the time of application and automatically receive your student application number.
Please note: For 2025 applications you will be redirected to the Northumbria website to select which intake you would like to apply for.
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We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study your programme. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.
You can check more information on how to apply here.
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Postgraduate
UK/Home Fee: £10,460
2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognised university in a related subject or professional qualifications that are equivalent to an honours degree
Part-time classroom and virtual sessions
2 years (equivalent to 15.5 weekends)
Coursework
Not available
Available
Available
January, October