Graduate ApprenticeshipCyber Security
Key facts
Funding: fully funded
Award: MSc
Duration: 18 months
NCSC Certification: Fully certified by the National Cyber Security Centre
Graduate Apprenticeships at Strathclyde
- enables employers to fast-track the time required for graduates to reach optimal productivity
- dedicated delivery team who listen, understand and work with employers to offer a fully integrated, contextualised degree
- delivered through an online and blended work-based learning mode including regular attendance at our city centre-based campus
- Apprentices apply knowledge within their work context via a series of bespoke work-based projects
Why this course
Designed in partnership with industry, our fully certified National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) MSc Cyber Security Graduate Apprenticeship gives employers the opportunity for their IT professionals to gain a masters degree over 18 months, whilst still working. Neither the employer nor the learner is required to contribute towards tuition fees.
Through a combination of work-based, online and face-to-face tuition, employees will learn the latest cyber security strategies, theories and techniques, with a focus on integrating their knowledge directly back into the workplace.
On successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded an MSc in Cyber Security from the University of Strathclyde.
Add value to your organisation
We focus on developing your workforce so that they can quickly add value to your organisation. We start with the fundamentals, providing a solid foundation for future learning and helping apprentices become productive.
The course content has been developed in partnership with industry and is designed to equip apprentices with knowledge of contemporary tools and technology. We don’t just focus on tech – our approach to work-based learning helps develop more rounded professionals, with a wide range of soft skills that enable apprentices to contribute widely to your organisation.
A flexible delivery model ensures minimal time away from the workplace, utilising a combination of online learning supported by a series of online tutorials, an annual face-to-face on-campus workshop and work-based learning activity.
Course structure
Apprentices will focus on integrating learning with the world of work. During the first 10 months, apprentices will study three core modules followed by three specialised modules, alongside work-based learning.
Core modules:
- Information Security Fundamentals
- Advanced Information Security
- Advanced Topics in Information Security
- Information Security Research Project and Dissertation
- Work-based Learning in Information Security
Specialised modules:
- Digital Forensics and Incidence Response
- Compliance and Operational Security Management
- Vulnerability Assessment and Security Testing
In the final eight months, apprentices undertake a research project and dissertation module. Beginning with six weeks of research methods training, this module will support them to develop their own research topic in an area related to their work as they continue to apply academic knowledge and new skills within the workplace.
Entry requirements
Apprentices must:
- be employed in a role with an aspect of cyber security, for a minimum of 21 hours a week
- live and work in Scotland for the duration of the programme
- have the agreement of their employer to undertake the MSc Cyber Security graduate apprenticeship
Each applicant is assessed for admission on a case-by-case basis. They will typically have a 2:1 BSc Honours degree in Computer Science or a related discipline. We also welcome enquiries from applicants with non-traditional qualifications and/or relevant work experience.
Apprentices will be required to attend classes on campus for one day every three weeks. The dates for all classes across the academic year will be supplied in advance to support planning work and learning commitments. In addition, graduate apprentices will undertake around 15 hours of flexible learning per week, through our award-winning Virtual Learning Environment, complemented by learning directly in the workplace supported by our team of dedicated learning advisers.
Read our student guidance for the MSc Cyber Security graduate apprenticeship for more information about the content of the programme and support from the University.
Employer requirements
First and foremost, MSc Cyber Security graduate apprentices are employees, who’ll continue to spend 80% of their time working for their employer. There is no restriction on the size of any organisation that can employ a graduate apprentice.
Employers must:
- ensure graduate apprentices have a role that involves cyber security
- allocate a work-based mentor who can offer the graduate apprentice support for the duration of the programme
- agree study arrangements with the graduate apprentice
- ensure that graduate apprentices have sufficient time and opportunity to work on their studies and related assessment within their working hours. This must equate to one day per week, although this could be spread over a working week.
We strongly advise that employers agree to protected time for graduate apprentices to support their study.
As an employer, you are not required to pay tuition fees for employees to undertake the MSc Cyber Security graduate apprenticeship. You may however incur costs for additional employee expenses, such as travel to on-campus learning days or textbooks to support learning. These should be agreed directly with the employee.
As employees progress through the graduate apprenticeship, employers can choose to receive updates on their progress, such as module grades and progress in developing their work-based learning portfolio.
Funding
Fully funded by the Scottish Government through Scottish Funding Council and the Scotland Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Find out more about funding eligibility.
Why Strathclyde
Praised for our close links with business and industry as well as our commitment to making an impact on the global economy, the University of Strathclyde has been named The Sunday Times Good University Guide Scottish University of the Year 2020.
The place of useful learning
Strathclyde has also been nominated for The Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2019 University of the Year, been awarded the THE Awards 2014 Entrepreneurial University of the Year and 2016 THE Awards Business School of the Year.
Apply
Employers can nominate existing employees or newly recruited candidates who will then be considered for admission to the programme. One, or multiple employees, can be nominated. There is no limit to the number of places per employer.
In the first instance, employers should contact us with an expression of interest for employees to be considered for the MSc Cyber Security graduate apprenticeship, indicating the number of places being sought on the programme.
We are also happy to work directly with employers to streamline the recruitment process for new graduate apprentices.
If you’re an employer considering how our MSc Cyber Security graduate apprenticeship can benefit your organisation, please Dr Sotirios Terzis, MSc Cyber Security Programme Director cis-cyber