Course summary
As the world grows increasingly technology-reliant, cyber security and digital forensics have become recognised as two incredibly important areas for organisations to manage. Cyber security differs significantly from cybercrime – with the latter being used to describe the illegal and/or harmful behaviours carried out online. While students of our MSc Cybercrime will strive to understand the driving forces behind online criminal activity, cyber security deals with the process of predicting, avoiding, and reacting to these acts. With this Master’s course, you’ll also learn key techniques to investigate digital crimes and security breaches, and help safeguard your organisation’s success. Why this MSc Cyber Security and Digital Forensics? By taking this course, you’ll develop a systematic understanding of cyber security and forensics concepts, including how to securely protect and investigate an organisation’s digital assets and systems. In addition to learning from our experienced academics, you’ll also be given remote access to our dedicated Forensic IT and Cyber Security laboratories. With this, you can gain firsthand experience with specialist software and forensic tools. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend an online court hearing with a judge presiding as part of your assessments. Our Master’s emphasis on providing students with real-world insights and practical skills will allow you to effectively and immediately apply your learnings to your career. What you’ll study On this course, you’ll:
- Gain familiarity with a range of cyber security disciplines to help you develop, implement, and audit security systems and foster a proactive security management culture
- Study the design and conduct of forensic IT investigations – including crime scene management, forensic tools, and their application
- Build a theoretical understanding of the principles involved with searching for and collecting digital evidence from data storage devices and large datasets
- Discover how to research and navigate the evolving legal, social, and ethical challenges relating to the presentation of digital evidence
- Hone the interpersonal skills needed to work effectively in your field, and learn how to regularly appraise and improve your own performance
Modules
Computer Forensic Investigation and Cryptography (30 credits) Mobile Forensics: Issues and Practice (30 credits) Computer Security (30 credits) Systems, Security and Hacking (30 credits) Master’s Study Project (60 credits)
Assessment method
All assessments for this course are based on coursework submitted online. Your performance is assessed through: Written assignments Research reports Online court hearing Your final project You'll also receive formal and informal tutor feedback to help you improve future work.
Entry requirements
A second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
PTE Academic | 62 | An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components. |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this 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
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP