MSc Cyber Security
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: September
- Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time
Study with us
Our MSc Cyber Security is ideal for computer science graduates, with or without industry experience, who are prepared to build a skill set suitable for a profession in cyber security. Through this Masters degree you'll:
- understand how to transform employees into cyber security assets by understanding the central role of people in the cyber security landscape
- place yourself at the forefront of expertise when it comes to secure programming, networking and system design
- gain project-driven experience of tools and methods appropriate for understanding and addressing emerging cyber threats
Why this course?
What's special about the MSc in Cyber Security offered by Strathclyde is its depth of and breadth of coverage of the cyber security landscape.
Cyber security problems cannot be truly understood solely from a technical or sociological perspective. Cyber security experts should shift perspectives between attackers and defenders, identify human factors, economic motives, and operate within regulatory constraints.
The course will create new cyber security leaders capable of formulating their own abstractions which enable them to manage conceptually the infinite range of attack vectors that increasingly sophisticated actors may attempt to exploit.
From day one, students will go deep into parallel tracks with world-leading experts in threat modelling and secure programming, human-centric security, and network security. This takes student and lecturers together on an adventure deep into specialised topics. At the same time, students will reflect on the bigger picture, appreciating how each skill set earned is just one perspective required to face the realities of mitigating cyberattacks.
What you'll study
This one-year MSc in Cyber Security admits students in September.
There are two taught semesters with 10 weeks of contact time plus one week of revision for exams. You'll conduct an MSc dissertation due in August of the year following admission. This Cyber Security MSc is delivered in person.
The degree features three major tracks that reflect the breadth of knowledge required to address cyber security challenges, at the level of programs, networks and the people who use them. The three tracks run across the two taught semesters:
- Human Centered Security underscores that security problems cannot be solved by technological solutions alone, and that we can measure how best to transform people in the chain from security problems to security assets
- Information Security & Networking covers the essential core knowledge and practicalities of securing networked systems, by the end of which students will have mastered a range of tools for testing networks for vulnerabilities
- Security by Design introduces students to methods that can mitigate cyber threats in protocols and programs at design time, by employing advanced techniques developed by security and programming language researchers
The above tracks aim to bring you to the cutting edge of each topic. You'll be prepared for projects in the area of cyber security that interests you most and will have the confidence to explore problems from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Learning & teaching
Classes are delivered via lectures, labs, and online material. In some classes, students will collaborate in small groups. They will engage in hands-on exercises within computer laboratories, receiving support from both a lecturer and lab assistants. For both lectures and labs, instructional and support materials will be placed on our virtual learning environment, MyPlace, for 24/7 student access.
Assessment
The course is strategically structured to ensure a balanced assessment throughout the two taught semesters. Each semester incorporates diverse study modes. Specifically, modules with a human-centric focus relies heavily on in-class presentations for assessment, while technical modules emphasise an end-of-semester examination. The remaining modules incorporate ongoing assessment through practical laboratory exercises. In the third semester, students submit their dissertation, conducted under the supervision of a leading security expert.
Information Security Fundamentals (10 credits)
This module provides you with the necessary background on a range of information security topics ranging from access control and networking to the economics and ethics of cyber security.
Advanced Human Centred Security (20 credits)
This module will enable you to understand human cyber security, use nudges, and write security policies that empower people to improve security.
Security Protocols and Threat Models (20 credits)
This module will help you understand how vulnerabilities in systems can arise due to the design of protocols and formal mechanism for ensuring these vulnerabilities cannot arise.
Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues for the Information Society (10 credits)
This module aims to ensure that you're aware of the legal, social, ethical and professional issues commensurate with the practice of Information Systems Engineering.
Vulnerability Assessment & Security Testing (20 credits)
This module enables you to find and exploit flaws in both software and live systems and report those flaws to clients.
Advanced Security-by-Design (20 credits)
This module gives you hands-on-experience using advanced tooling to formally certify at design time that threats are mitigated in code.
Research Topics in Cyber Security (10 credits)
This module enables you to engage directly with the research literature, particularly surrounding human-centered security, building important skills for lifelong learning and dissemination.
Research Methods (10 credits)
This module prepares you for your individual 60 credit research project in Semester 3. During this module you prepare your research proposal.
Individual Project (60 credits)
You will undertake an individual project under supervision, which should contain an element of original research. The project will be cyber security based. A variety of project types are possible. Where software is developed, assessment will include production of developed code, supporting written documentation, and practical demonstration.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
Entry requirements
| Academic requirements | Applicants require, at a minimum, a second-class (2:2) honours degree or international equivalent in computer science or a closely related discipline. Significant programming experience is required. If you come from a closely related subject, you would be expected to have experience in the following areas:
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| English language requirements | You must have an English language minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with no component below 5.5). We offer comprehensive English language courses for students whose IELTS scores are below 6.0. Please see English Language Teaching for full details. As a university, we now accept many more English language tests other than IELTS for overseas applicants, for example, TOEFL and PTE Cambridge. View the full list of accepted English language tests here. |
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
Please note: Previous Maths & English qualifications and your undergraduate degree must meet GTCS minimum entry requirements as well as the pre-Masters course and an interview will be conducted before an offer can be made.
Fees & funding
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
| Scotland | £10,800 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £10,800 |
| International | £26,100 |
| Additional costs | If you are an international student, you may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Careers
It is well-known there is a shortage of skilled cyber security professionals, indeed most medium to large companies now have a dedicated cyber security team. Particularly in sectors such as finance and critical infrastructure the cyber security teams play a central role in the business model of the organisation. The university provides career advice through specialist industry-specific career sessions from our award-winning Careers Service. There is also an IT careers fair.
In addition, there will be peer support via the parallel Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) in Cyber Security. Students taking the GA are employed in cyber security roles in a range of companies across Scotland. Information sharing will be facilitated between GA students and students taking the MSc in Cyber Security for additional first-hand experience of the market entry points.
The MSc also caters for students aiming to follow up their MSc with a PhD pursuing inspiring research in cyber security. During the Cyber Security MSc, students will be guided deep into the areas of expertise of lecturers, such that they may be guided towards an MSc dissertation disseminating meaningful and impactful results. Students discovering a passion for conducting and writing about research can expect to receive direct support and advice concerning how to go about pursuing a PhD in cyber security.
Apply
Start date: Sep 2024
Cyber Security
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