Postgraduate Course

Cyber Security
MSc

Take our MSc Cyber Security and become part of the next generation of leading IT security professionals, fully equipped to respond rapidly to risks and problems.
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Available for January start

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 1 Year, Part-time:

UK fee

£850 per 20 credits* (2019/20)

International fee

£14,250 for the full programme (2019/20)

Course level

Postgraduate

Qualification

MSc

Start dates

January, September

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Course description

Information security expertise is urgently needed across all industries today.

Employable Graduates – we’re ranked 15th highest amongst all UK universities and 12th for English institutions with 96% of graduates in work or further study within six months of completing their degree: HESA 2016. 

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

Building a more secure digital society

The speed with which the Internet and information sharing has developed has exceeded the pace of secure infrastructure development. Our MSc Cyber Security is designed to help bridge this gap and meet the accelerating demand for professionals with proven information security expertise.

This course focuses on developing your knowledge and understanding so that you are fully equipped to create a secure and effective information infrastructure for any organisation.

A powerful set of skills

Along with exploring established techniques, we cover the innovative practices which are emerging as a result of the very latest research. You will learn about both the managerial and technical elements of information security, as well as enterprise level security. This includes risk management and compliance, together with issues such as securing networks and system penetration testing.

You will hone a wide range of technical skills that can be applied to protect against specific system breaches. You will also learn how to perform ethical hacking: by understanding many of the techniques employed by malicious hackers, you can mitigate risks and thwart potential attacks.

In addition, the MSc equips you with the skills needed to make vital managerial decisions related to protecting an organisation’s security holistically. 

What you will study

You will study modules such as:

  • This course is made up of three stages – Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc.
  • For the Postgraduate Certificate, you will study three modules from the list below. 
Advanced Security Protocols

This module equips you with the advanced knowledge and understanding you need to analyse complex security protocols. You will focus on the protocols required to ensure security over remote networks.

Enterprise Security Management

Management of the security process is a crucial part of successful implementation. On this module, you will look at the fundamental network and security management issues that affect businesses, including the often-conflicting organisational goals that can lead to difficult trade-offs between affordability and effective protection.

Studying Masters Level and Research Methods

You will develop the skills to study at masters level to help you plan and execute a research project. You will also gain an understanding of research design and methodological enquiry.

Security: Attacks and Countermeasures

Through investigation, analysis and creative design, this module will enhance your skills in protecting systems against internal and external threats. You will develop the analytical tools to perform pragmatic and ethical system penetration testing.

Securing Networks

The focus of this module is on protecting a network from external and internal threats. You will cover the different methods of system breach, together with the mechanisms for detecting and protecting against them.

Human and Legal Aspects of Cyber Security

This module gives you an introduction to the legal and human dimensions of cyber security. It first covers the application of legal provisions, with a focus on accountability in computer systems. Secondly, it explores the key concepts for human dimensions of cyber security, leading to an understanding of research practice in designing and running scientific studies.

  • For the Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to study all six modules.
Advanced Security Protocols

This module equips you with the advanced knowledge and understanding you need to analyse complex security protocols. You will focus on the protocols required to ensure security over remote networks.

Enterprise Security Management

Management of the security process is a crucial part of successful implementation. On this module, you will look at the fundamental network and security management issues that affect businesses, including the often-conflicting organisational goals that can lead to difficult trade-offs between affordability and effective protection.

Studying Masters Level and Research Methods

You will develop the skills to study at masters level to help you plan and execute a research project. You will also gain an understanding of research design and methodological enquiry.

Security: Attacks and Countermeasures

Through investigation, analysis and creative design, this module will enhance your skills in protecting systems against internal and external threats. You will develop the analytical tools to perform pragmatic and ethical system penetration testing.

Securing Networks

The focus of this module is on protecting a network from external and internal threats. You will cover the different methods of system breach, together with the mechanisms for detecting and protecting against them.

Human and Legal Aspects of Cyber Security

This module gives you an introduction to the legal and human dimensions of cyber security. It first covers the application of legal provisions, with a focus on accountability in computer systems. Secondly, it explores the key concepts for human dimensions of cyber security, leading to an understanding of research practice in designing and running scientific studies.

Independent Scholarship

During this triple module, you will formulate, research and resolve a commercial IT problem, often working in partnership with industrial collaborators to help focus attention on specific and real applications. You will present your findings and solutions in the form of a masters-level dissertation that you can use to demonstrate your ability to apply your learning in an independent and rigorous fashion.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

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

Assessment is through 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.

Entry requirements

You will require:

Fees and funding

2019/20 Fees (August 2019 - July 2020)

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£850 per 20 credits*

£850 per 20 credits*

International

£14,250 for the full programme

N/A

*Note – at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the awards below.

Postgraduate Certificate60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma120 Credits
MA or MSc180 Credits

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Please note that all fees may be subject to annual increase.

Additional costs and optional extras

2020/21 Fees (August 2020 - July 2021)

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£875 per 20 credits*

£875 per 20 credits*

International

£14,700 for the full programme

N/A

*Note – at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the awards below.

Postgraduate Certificate60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma120 Credits
MA or MSc180 Credits

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Please note that all fees may be subject to annual increase.

Additional costs and optional extras

Students chatting to each other

International student scholarship

We're offering a £2,000 scholarship for all eligible international students studying a full-time postgraduate taught programme (PGT). Terms and conditions apply.

Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship

How to apply

UK students

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University
International students

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Guidance for international applicants applying for a postgraduate degree

Careers

Individuals with proven information security knowledge are now in high demand across many different sectors. Successful completion of this degree can therefore lead to 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.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

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Additional information about your studies

Download programme specification

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

Included in your fees

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

Optional costs not included in your fees

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.