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Cybercrime, Terrorism and Security at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

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2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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Course summary

Overview Be part of the next generation of cybercrime research and investigation experts with this full or part-time MSc Cybercrime, Terrorism and Security degree. You’ll explore different aspects of cybercrime, terrorism and security, while building your theoretical understanding of crime and offending behaviour in both a national and international context. You’ll investigate online terrorism, radicalisation, and security and risk management, and the ways in which your knowledge can be used to link technological forensics and police investigators. You'll also develop skills in data analysis and critical perspectives with the option to study the global landscape of cyber security, money laundering, or dangerous offenders and vulnerable victims. When you graduate, you'll understand the current needs of the cybersecurity security sector and have the skills to make a difference in the face of future digital threats.

  • Follow a Master’s course designed by expert researchers and practitioners in cybercrime, terrorism and security from our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and hear from industry expert guest speakers from around the world
  • Use our lab equipment to carry out your own research, such as our operational policing simulation spaces
  • Be part of our community of researchers by getting involved with our criminology research groups, such as the Cybercrime and Cybersecurity group, the - Economic Crime group, and the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime
  • Learn through real cybercrime case studies in interactive workshops that allow you to explore possibilities and share skills with fellow students
  • Complete a major project based on your chosen area of research, with the support of qualified and enthusiastic experts in the field
Careers and opportunities Cybercrime is continuing to rise in scale and complexity, affecting essential services, businesses and private individuals alike (National Crime Agency). Studying this complex subject within the wider contexts of terrorism and international security is crucial to creating a safer world. Once you graduate from this MSc Cybercrime, Terrorism and Security degree, you'll have the skills and knowledge demanded by this growing sector. You'll be ready for a career working to the highest standards of professional cybersecurity practice and seeking new solutions that contribute to keeping the field moving forward. You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to develop the strategies against cybercrime threats demanded by roles within criminal justice agencies, law enforcement, probation or data analysis and intelligence, and for organisations such as the Civil Service, local government, private security, businesses and charities. You'll also be well placed to move on to further study in cybercrime from a legal, technical or investigatory perspective. If you already work in the field of criminal justice, you'll be ready to pursue higher-level roles, or to break into a different area of the discipline. If you're preparing to start your career in criminal justice, you'll gain the knowledge and advanced research problem-solving skills you need to stand out to employers and contribute positively to justice system reform. You could also go on to a graduate scheme such as PoliceNow or the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme. Graduates of this course can go on to roles such as:
  • policing (as an officer or civilian staff)
  • crime, security and intelligence analysis
  • cybersecurity
  • private security
Graduates of this course can go on to work for organisations such as:
  • national and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
  • international government agencies and departments
  • probation and prison service
  • the Courts
  • local administration / authorities
  • charities

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits. Full-time Core modules in this year include:

  • Cybercrime: Critical Perspectives – 30 credits
  • Research Methods and Research Ethics – 30 credits
  • Terrorism and Security – 30 credits
  • Dissertation – 60 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
  • Money Laundering – 30 credits
  • The Global Landscape of Cybersecurity – 30 credits
  • Dangerous Offenders and Vulnerable Victims – 30 credits
See our course page for part-time modules. We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

Assessment method

You'll be assessed through:

  • essays
  • reports
  • oral presentations
  • projects and portfolios
  • seminar participation and engagement
  • dissertation / major report
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject (Social Science, Humanities, Law, Psychology, or Management subject). Information Technology or science related subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with equivalent professional experience in a relevant organisation will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015) An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 176.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015) An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 176.
PTE AcademicAn overall score of 61 with a minimum of 61 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)91 with a minimum of 24 in Reading, 23 in Listening, 25 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £10400 Year 1
England £10400 Year 1
Northern Ireland £10400 Year 1
Scotland £10400 Year 1
Wales £10400 Year 1
Channel Islands £10400 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £10400 Year 1
International £17200 Year 1

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

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
Cybercrime, Terrorism and Security at University of Portsmouth - UCAS