Skip navigation
Cyber Security, Privacy and Trust at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
Apply

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Open days

21May
The University of Edinburgh - Postgraduate Online Learning Open Days
Virtual and digital

Course summary

Our societies are critically dependent on computer software. Electronic systems are everywhere, and governments, financial and transport organisations, or telecommunication companies all possess and manage huge amounts of sensitive information concerning all of our everyday activities. With the emergence of new systems and services, every aspect of our life is relying on / is recorded by some computerised system, such as:

  • electronic IDs and passports
  • electronic payment systems and loyalty schemes
  • electronic tickets
  • telecommunication systems
As such, we have been witnessing a significant increase in attacks targeting computing infrastructure. The cyber security threat has been characterised as serious as terrorism by the GCHQ, therefore the need for graduates with highly specialised training in this area is ever-growing. Cyber security and privacy is the study of the computational principles, methods and mechanisms for safe-guarding these sensitive applications. Graduates of the programme will learn how to evaluate, design, and implement secure and trustworthy systems in complex distributed systems. Many research areas have tackled parts of this problem – students on this degree will experience training from academic experts in a uniquely broad combination of theory and practice:
  • Secure Software
  • Cryptography
  • Secure Hardware
  • Verification
  • Post Quantum
  • Data Privacy
  • Usability
  • Fintech
  • Health
  • Smart Contracts
  • Distributed Ledgers
  • Privacy Preserving Data Mining
The overall programme delivers intellectual and practical experience in all aspects of cyber security, privacy, and trust, such as:
  • dealing with real-world applications
  • applying and extending state-of-the-art defence mechanisms
  • engineering end-to-end secure and trustworthy systems
  • communicating results through oral and written reports
Reputation The University of Edinburgh consistently ranks top 30 globally for Computer Science. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked our School 1st in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics. This means you will learn from experts at the forefront of their fields, undertaking cutting-edge research in a wide range of areas. Environment You will be part of a large, vibrant department with around 1,750 students across undergraduate, master’s and research programmes and 150 academic staff. You will study in the heart of Edinburgh city centre, regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world, and one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech hubs.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements.

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

Tuition fees vary between degree programmes. Find the specific fees for your chosen programme on our website.
Cyber Security, Privacy and Trust at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS