MSc Information Security

Course code: MG4AR

Start date: If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in: September 2012 January 2013 If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in: September 2012 January 2013

Course length: Full time: one year Part time: three years

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

The speed with which the internet and information sharing has developed has exceeded the pace of secure infrastructure development. As such, individuals with proven information security knowledge are now in high demand.

The MSc Information Security bridges this gap and helps meet this accelerating demand. It focuses on developing your knowledge and understanding so you can create a secure and effective information infrastructure.

As well as covering established techniques, it covers new and innovative practices developed through the very latest research. You will learn about both managerial and technical elements of information security, as well as enterprise level security. This includes risk management and compliance, and also concentrates on issues such as securing networks and system penetration testing.

You will be empowered with the skills needed to make managerial decisions related to protecting an organisation's security holistically, as well as developing technical skills that can be applied to protect against specific system breaches. You'll also learn how to perform ethical hacking - by being taught many of the techniques employed by malicious hackers you can develop the skills necessary to mitigate risks and thwart potential attacks.

The MSc Information Security has been developed to teach you the very latest in information protection techniques, being delivered by academics at the leading edge of system penetration and intrusion analysis research.

You will need:

• An honours degree (at least 2.2) or equivalent qualifications / experience in a computing discipline
• If English is not your first language you will need to demonstrate proficiency in English (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• Part time: £695 per module (you usually take 9 of these modules in total)

International students

• Full time: £10,200 (in total)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

How you'll learn

You'll learn through lectures, seminars, discussion groups, practical sessions, presentations and blended learning.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations There will be a range of coursework techniques including analytical essays, reports on lab based problems, assignments using case studies, multi-task portfolios and presentations.

Individuals with proven information security knowledge are now in high demand.

Successful completion of this degree can lead to a number of prestigious roles in the IT security arena, including Chief Information Officer, System Penetration Tester, Information Security Consultant and Information Security Risk Assessor.

Alternatively, you could undertake further research leading to a PhD or gain employment in a research and development environment.

"The course has been really rewarding. I now have the knowledge gained from the course combined with the skills required to study at masters level - from time management and presenting to independent research and project management. All looks great on my CV."

Lee Pimlott