Cyber Security MSc

Phishing. Cyber extortion. Data breaches. Cybercrime is one of the biggest threats to business today. Master the skills and techniques needed to protect society and organisations from cybercriminals on a cyber security Masters accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

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Overview

Course length:	1 year full-time 2-3 years part-time 1 year full-time
Start dates:	January 2025 September 2025 January 2026 September 2026
Location:	Edge Hill University
Subject(s):	Computer Science
Faculty:	Arts and Sciences
Department:	Computer Science

A student uses a tablet while sat on a sofa in a social learning space in Creative Edge.

Our global economy depends on the internet and remote data storage and access now more than ever before. The more we reach out to connect, the more cybercriminals find ways to break in. It’s a growing problem costing the UK £27 billion a year.

Finding qualified security experts is a problem industry and the government takes seriously. Our MSc Cyber Security aligns with international standards for information security management systems, ensuring you’ll graduate with all the relevant skills and expertise to work as a cyber security professional.

You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of current information security and cyber security issues. We’ll train you in the techniques you need for strategic IT management. You’ll learn to assess networks and systems as a resource and to analyse and control security risks. When you graduate, you’ll be highly sought after by small and medium sized enterprises, who have huge demand for people with the skills and knowledge to protect their business from imminent threat.

A certified degree

This degree is provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ. The curriculum is aligned with The Cyber Security Body of Knowledge recommended by NCSC and meets industry requirements, ensuring a high quality of teaching and enhancing your career prospects.

Course features

International students can apply
Professional accreditation

What you'll study

Our cyber security masters covers everything you need for a career protecting society online. You’ll study the technical aspects of network security, penetration testing and computer forensics. You’ll learn to judge risk. You’ll discover how to assess and protect systems from the design and build stage to management, audit and review. All on a course that prepares you for the real world.

Compulsory modules:

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Advanced Professional Practice provides the opportunity to enhance your employability through activities that may include a short placement, following a live brief to complete a mini-project, undertaking a short period of study abroad, or a joint mini-project with an external partner organisation. These example activities could be in industry, related to research, or a development activity. Whether completing your activity face-to-face, virtually or a combination of the two, your chosen activity will be paired with writing a subject-specific reflective report. The module will enable you to enhance and employ a range of transferable skills, from research and analysis to teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving and reflection. You will use these skills and others to complete an individual or group project that includes the development of strategies to help determine solutions to a given scenario. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your learning journey.

Module code: CIS4509

Credits: 15

Assessment

100% Coursework

Forensic Computing and Malware Analysis involves the examining and analysing of data retrieved from various computer storage mediums, the result of which can then be used as evidence in a court of law. Computer forensics is a relatively new field, combining a number of content areas including computer architecture, operating system architecture, security and networking. With the ubiquitous nature in which people can access electrical content, there is a growing need to not only police access to this content, but also a method to monitor this access. We are living on a 'digital planet' and a vast majority of crimes are carried out using electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and computers. As with 'traditional' forensics, there is always a trail of evidence that can be followed and with electronic devices, this is no different. Electronic devices leave 'digital breadcrumbs' which can be extremely valuable in a criminal investigation and a systematic process is required to retrieve this data to ensure that its integrity is preserved. The module provides a firm foundation in this developing field of information retrieval. Exploring the theory and practice of computer forensics, you will develop the skills and knowledge to undertake a forensic computing investigation in a systematic manner, utilising existing methods, tools and techniques.

Module code: CIS4520

Credits: 15

Assessment

100% Coursework

Systems and Platform Security focuses on different aspects of system, networks, and software security. With increasing numbers of computer devices and computer users worldwide, the opportunity and motivation of cyber criminals and malicious hackers is growing. Both individuals and businesses are subject to these malicious attacks, which often result in financial or reputation lost and sometimes involve the loss of intellectual properties or privacy. With the new data protection laws such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulations, businesses may face fines for inappropriate protection of customer and employees personal data. Consequently, large enterprises and businesses are paying more attention on security and improving their security culture. Developing your understanding of security threats and the vulnerabilities of computer systems, networks and applications, this module will outline the principles of systems security, with a particular emphasis on the security issues of software, information systems and networks. You will learn how to identity security threats and analyse vulnerabilities in information systems and applications. The principles of secure system designs, as well as evaluation and verification, will also be discussed.

Module code: CIS4522

Credits: 15

Assessment

100% Coursework

How you'll study

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, practical labs, tutorials, group exercises and a work placement. Classes are highly interactive with a focus on the practical application of concepts and the use of cases drawn from real life. An emphasis on small groups ensures that you will have plenty of opportunities for individual discussions with your tutors.

A full-time route, starting in either September or January, takes 12 months to complete. The part-time route takes 2-3 years to complete and typically has intakes in both September and January.

You can expect to receive your timetable at enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day or evening of the week.

How you'll be assessed

We will assess your vocational capability, academic critical thinking and intellectual development throughout the programme. Coursework, case studies, exams and problem-solving exercises may be used. You may be assessed individually or in a group.

Who will be teaching you

You will be taught by highly qualified, experienced and enthusiastic academic staff who are research-active and fully engaged with the wider business and academic community. The programme team are also active researchers in areas such as network security, information centric networks, content delivery networks, network coding, mobile ad-hoc networks, sensor networks, wireless networks, digital twins, biomedical signal processing, 5G, and biometric security. There will also be occasional input from external IT professionals who will be invited to teach particular sessions.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

You should have a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above), comprising 50% or more of content in a computing discipline.

Equivalent knowledge gained in alternative ways, for example through professional experience or completion of BCS Professional Diploma in IT (Level 6), is also accepted.

English language requirements

International students require IELTS 6.5, with a score no lower than 6.0 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

How to apply

There is an online application process for this course.

Please choose the application form for your preferred intake date and mode of study.

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Facilities

The Department of Computer Science is based in the state-of-the-art £13million Tech Hub. This purpose-built development offers highly contemporary suites of outstanding facilities for Computer Science and Engineering students. Our modern computing and engineering laboratories are equipped with comprehensive test and measurement equipment, high-specification computers, high-resolution screens and the latest hardware and software.

A four-screen CAVE (Computer Augmented Virtual Environment) provides a super immersive 3D virtual environment, enabling users to immerse themselves in a virtual room and experience real life scenarios in 4K resolution. There are also specialist laboratories for networking and games programming, in addition to a specialist research laboratory, open access laboratory, a Harvard style lecture theatre, and ‘The Hatchery’, a working space for new business ideas.

Where you'll study

Tech Hub

Learning resources

Learning resources include robots and a robotics simulator, wired and wireless networking hardware, graphics software, web development tools, software development environments, big data servers, eye trackers, giant 3D interactive teaching screens, and other specialist software required for studying forensics and internet security techniques.

Finance

Tuition fees

£9,000

for the course

£50 per credit

for 180 credits

£16,500

for the course

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Financial support

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University.

Money Matters

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.

Tuition fees

£9,250

for the course

£51 per credit

for 180 credits

£17,000

for the course

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Your future career

We’ve designed our MSc Cyber Security to give you the best chance of a high-flying digital security career.

Your skills and knowledge will make you eligible for roles like:

information security engineer
information security manager
ISO27001 auditor
computer forensic analyst
cyber security specialist
security engineer

Pack your CV with the accreditations and standards below.

Subject to re-approval, the programme is:

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Successfully completing an accredited BCS course is the first step to full BCS membership and to being awarded chartered status.

The programme aligns with international standards (ISO27001/2) for information security management systems. It is also informed by the PAS 555 Cyber Security Risk Governance and Management Specification, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) specification for taught Masters in cyber security, and the Institute of Information Security Professionals’ (IISP) Information Security Skills Framework.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

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Cyber Security

Cyber Security MSc