Course summary
This course is designed for graduate students and IT/ICT professionals who want to prepare for a successful career in computer, network and information security. It will help you to develop your specialist analytical, operational and development skills in both technical and socio-technical areas of cyber security. This Masters programme will particularly suit students who have completed a first degree in a computing subject, such as computer science or business computing. It will also suit graduates who have completed a numerate subject with a significant computing component, such as applied mathematics, engineering or physics. Objectives The Cyber Security MSc aims to help you:
- Specialise in advanced aspects of cyber security (including cryptography and network security) and information security management and security audits
- Investigate penetration-testing techniques using Metasploit
- Engage with researchers to develop your scientific knowledge and skills
- Explore and specialise in the socio-technical aspects of security, cybercrime and digital forensics
- Critically evaluate the technical, social and management dimensions of computing systems and technologies from a security perspective
- Gain tangible experience that extends across all the security specific core modules
- Acquire the knowledge, skills and techniques needed as a professional in computer science.
- The course features real-life scenarios and a cyber-security challenge to provide you with hands-on experience in testing and analysing computing systems:
Modules
You will cover areas of Masters-level computer science, such as research methods and scientific presentation and analysis skills. There are eight taught modules in total, comprising seven core modules and one optional module. In addition, there is a full-time individual project completed over the summer. The core modules enable you to specialise in areas of cyber security, such as cryptography, network security, information security management, security audit and certification. You will engage with researchers to develop your scientific knowledge and skills. Core Modules
- Information Security Fundamentals (15 credits)
- Network Security (15 credits)
- Security Auditing and Certification (15 credits)
- Research Methods and Professional Issues (15 credits)
- Cryptography (15 credits)
- Digital Forensics (15 credits)
- Cyber Crime and Sociotechnical Risk (15 credits)
- Object Oriented Programming in C++ (15 credits)
- Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures (15 credits)
- Machine Learning (15 credits)
- Principles of Data Science (15 credits)
Assessment method
You will be expected to undertake independent study and substantial coursework assignments for each module, amounting to approximately 120 hours per module. The coursework takes many forms, including programs, theoretical work, and essays, and is primarily formative, but also contributes to module assessment. Coursework will be used across all of the security specific modules to ensure that you get appropriate hands-on operational experience of relevant aspects of cyber security, including testing and analysis. Some of the coursework may be organised in ways that shadow larger scale exercises, such as the Cyber-Security Challenge. The individual project (full time) is carried out over the summer period, and if done without a placement, lasts approximately 14 weeks or 600 hours. If undertaken within an industrial or research placement, the project period extends by up to six months. The assessments focus on activities that you need to undertake either as part of your role or to support you in developing your professional practice. The assessment for the project module is in the form of a traditional dissertation reporting your work.
Entry requirements
You should hold at least an upper second-class honours degree from a UK institution (or the equivalent from an international institution) in Computer Science or a related discipline with some mathematical content. Relevant industrial experience may also be considered for entry to this course. Other suitable qualifications If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to follow a Graduate Diploma pathway to the programme through one of our partners. INTO City, University of London If you do not meet the entry requirements, INTO City, University of London offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help you prepare for study at City, University of London. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre. These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry. To prepare for this degree course, learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Informatics. Kaplan International College London City works in partnership with Kaplan International College (KIC) London to provide preparatory courses for international students. Pre-Masters courses at KIC London offer you comprehensive support to help you complete your postgraduate study at City. Progression to this degree is guaranteed if you complete the KIC London Pre-Masters course at the required level.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £22940 | Whole course |
| International | £22940 | Whole course |
| England | £11470 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £11470 | Whole course |
| Wales | £11470 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £11470 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
City, University of London
Northampton Square
City of London
EC1V 0HB