What will I study?
In addition to learning the key skills for handling security incidents, you will cover how to identify new and existing threats and the methods by which to reduce them.
This full-time course is taught at our London Campus where you will be taught by our experienced academics, guiding you as you analyse and evaluate the theories, principles and applications associated with the field. They will encourage you to question current approaches and processes in the fields of information and cyber security.
You will be introduced to key theoretical and practical aspects using real world scenarios and case studies and will be expected to investigate new approaches, processes and solutions in this fast-moving environment.
You will learn how to professionally, systematically and critically understand information governance and assurance along with technology risk management practices. The course will develop and enhance your ability to handle security incidents as well as identifying new and existing threats and determining methods to minimise them.
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.
This programme is also available as a part-time programme, or as MSc Cyber Security which lasts for 1 year.
Advanced Practice stage
The Advanced Practice version of this course offers you a valuable opportunity to secure a work placement or research placement, giving you experience of the workplace environment or live Cyber Security issues, and an excellent way to put your learning into practice. This stage of the programme will take place between your second and final semester, and is a semester long (12-15 weeks approx.) in duration. Internships as part of the Advanced Practice stage may be paid or unpaid. The alternative research placement allows you to work on a research project to carry out active research. Whether you choose the internship or research project, you will successfully develop your cyber skills and further enhance your employability.
The module has two options for your third semester of study within the structure outlined below.
The programme typically runs over three semesters. In the first two semesters taught modules are studied. The sequencing of the modules depends upon when you start – September or January. The table below shows a typical study pattern depending on your start date with Advanced Practice.
September starts
If you choose to start your Masters in September, your programme will last for up to 21 months. You will have a summer break after Semester 2, and commence your Advanced Practice stage in September.
January starts
If you choose to start your Masters with Advanced Practice in January, your programme will run for 24 months. You will commence the Advanced Practice stage of the programme in the following January, immediately after your second semester. Please note that there are two summer breaks included in this programme for those starting in January.
The Advanced Practice programmes are structured as below:
|
Sept – Jan |
Jan – May |
May – Sept |
Sept – Jan |
Jan – May |
May – Sept |
Sept – Jan |
September start |
Semester 1
|
Semester 2
|
Summer Break |
Masters’ Internship |
Final semester |
|
|
Research Project |
January start |
|
Semester 1
|
Summer Break
|
Semester 2 |
Masters’ Internship |
Summer break |
Final semester |
Research Project |
How will I be taught and assessed?
Throughout the course, you will be able to trial new approaches and processes in a safe environment, working on real-life scenarios and case studies.
Teaching on this programme is delivered through tutorials, lectures and practicals, totalling between 12-13 hours per week. You will also be expected to engage in independent study, around 29 hours per week.
You will be assessed using a mix of coursework and exams.
Your assessments are designed to help you develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required of a computer science graduate, step-by-step, year by year to help you build the capability to take a placement opportunity, and enter employment as a professional in your field. To ensure this, the assessments are designed to align with the learning outcomes of each module in the most appropriate way, whilst ensuring a full range of assessment methods across the programme.
Whilst learning and the measurement of learning will be linked closely to assessment, it is hoped that the learning environment and learning opportunities presented to you will encourage you to be motivated to learn for educational reasons, and not simply to pass summative assessments. The aim is to avoid surface learning and focus on the need for learning opportunities that elicit a deeper more reflective learning response.
In-class practice and feedback are incorporated into modules as appropriate and you are encouraged to participate in these activities to develop the skills, techniques and expectations of summative assessment. For each module assessment you will be provided with a description of the tasks required, including what you will be expected to do, and of the criteria that you will be assessed against.
Assessment methods include exams, reports, presentations, individual, group and project work. You will be provided with feedback on your summative assessment in a suitable way, for example in writing and / or verbally to help you understand what you did appropriately and where you could improve your work. Feedback is intended to help you reflect upon your learning and assessment and you should consider it to help you in future learning and assessment.
You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers and academics who use their industry experience to demonstrate how the theories you will learn translate in to real life situations.
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research.
Significant emphasis is placed on developing your ability to complete a Masters degree. As part of induction you will be made fully familiar with the learning resources and support available to you. There will also be weekly academic support sessions designed to build your confidence and ability as a postgraduate learner. You will also be allocated an individual guidance tutor at induction. You will meet this tutor at regular intervals across your period of study.
Careers and further study
For those with high career aspirations, this programme can give you an extra edge in today’s competitive job market. Graduates from the programme will be equipped to work in a variety of careers in the IT industry or to progress to academic or research orientated careers. Job roles, including roles in leadership and management, could include working in, for example, software engineering, network design and management, network security, artificial intelligence or IT consultancy.
Cyber security has become an increasingly recurring subject for businesses, governments and the public. Recent hacks include the US presidential election, Yahoo’s ‘biggest data breach in history’ and the continual release of information by WikiLeaks, the financial cost to business has been estimated to be as high as $1 trillion. Given this, business and governments alike have significantly invested in their cyber security systems, with the UK Government committing £650m in cyber security in its Strategic Defence and Security Review last autumn.
With all this investment, there are a plethora of career options following completion of this course, typical roles include:
- Threat management & forensics
- Risk analytics & management
- Policy makers & Strategists
- Operations & security management
- Engineering, Architecture & Design
- Chief Technology Officer
Upon successfully completing your course, you may undertake further professional development and training through Professional Pathways programmes. This additional training is offered to our graduates for free, from our partner, QA and provides you with an excellent opportunity to undertake professional training at the end of your Masters from one of the UK’s leading corporate training providers, further enhancing your professional development and employability skills. Find out more about Professional Pathways and your eligibility.
From your Programme Leader, Hamid Jahankhani:
Cyber Security reading:
Advanced Practice: