COMP7037
20 credits
This module is designed to equip you with the tools necessary for the scholarship and research skills needed for the computer science and cyber security fields...
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
Computer Science for Cyber Security
MSc, PGDip, PGCert
Explore how computer systems and data can be protected, developing technical skills in computing and cyber security.
Key facts
- Duration
- Full time: MSc - 1 year (12 months); PG Dip - 6 months; PG Cert - 3 months
- Part time: MSc - 2 years (24 months); PG Dip - 18 months (12 months study time); PG Cert - 6 months
- Starts
- September 2027
- Level
- Master's and postgraduate
- UCAS code
- P060038
- Location
- Headington
- School
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
About this course
Cyber-attacks are some of the biggest threats to national security today. With everything from health records to financial data stored online, people and businesses face constant risk from malicious attacks. Could you protect them?
If you have a computing degree (or lots of experience in the industry), you’ll have the technical skills to join this gold-standard course fully certified by the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) a part of GCHQ. Our expert teaching staff will help you hone those skills until you’re ready to take up the challenge yourself.
Unlike some courses which deal with regulations and legislation for cyber security, we focus on developing secure networks and software. That means you’ll be working in our labs, practising offensive and defensive techniques. You’ll be working on live projects and alongside others as you would in the industry. You’ll build your knowledge until you’re an expert in everything from reverse engineering to OS development.
Accreditations
- Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
- Certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), where applicable to the course.
A gold-standard qualification
With a NCSC-certified degree, our cyber security graduates are in high demand in all sorts of organisations.
Original and inspiring research
We’re home to top researchers in areas ranging from digital forensics to computer vision. You can get involved in some of our work, including the Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity Group.
New State-of-the-art facilities
All Computing courses are based innew, custom designed buildings at our main Headington site. You'll benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including a VR cave, digital, computing and robotics labs, as well as social learning spaces, teaching rooms and cafe space.
Technically challenging
There’s a strong focus on secure networking and software development – you’ll develop more advanced programming skills than you would on many comparable courses.
Research expertise
The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics is home to world-leading and award-winning research. Our focus is on user-inspired original research with real-world applications. A wide range of activities from model-driven system design and empirical software engineering through to web technologies, cloud computing and big data, digital forensics and computer vision.
Staff and students collaborate on projects supported by the EPSRC, the EU, the DTI, and several major UK companies.
Computing achieved an excellent assessment of its UoA (Unit of Assessment) 11 return for REF 2014 (Research Excellence Framework).
Students on this course can be involved with research in the following research groups:
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| IELTS | IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in all skills. For more information, please see our English language requirements. |
To join this course you'll need a 2:2 UK bachelor's degree in a computer-related subject. If you're without a degree in computing, but you have worked in the computing industry you can also be considered. If you have no experience or degree in a computing related discipline then you should consider our MSc in Computing Science. You would normally be proficient at programming in C++/Java or similar.
Fees and funding
Fees
| Fee types | 2026/27 | 2027/28 |
|---|---|---|
| Home full-time | £9,950, £8,950 (PGDip), £4,975 (PGCert) | £10,250, £9,250 (PGDip), £5,125 (PGCert) |
| Home part-time | £4,975 | £5,125 |
| International full-time | £19,600 | £20,800 |
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page.
Questions about fees?
Learning and assessment
If you study for the full master’s degree, you’ll complete 6 taught modules of 20 credits, and a dissertation of 60 credits.
You’ll start by learning the academic and professional skills you’ll need to research cyber security issues and make a successful career in the field.
The taught modules will help you develop the advanced knowledge you’ll need for a specialist career in cyber security. Covering areas like systems architecture and enterprise networking, you’ll learn how to create secure systems from both a technological and human angle. In modules like Malware Analysis and Ethical Hacking, you won’t just learn the theory, you’ll be putting your ideas to the test in our labs.
With your dissertation, you’ll look at a subject in real depth over the summer. You might choose to work with an organization on a challenge they’re facing. Or you might like to focus on an area that interests you personally. Your supervisor will support you throughout the process to make your project as impactful as possible.
We use a range of teaching methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- library and internet research
- practical design and experimentation.
Our teaching staff are experienced academic staff and practitioners in the field of Computer Science and Cyber Security. Visiting speakers from business and industry help to maintain relevance to the evolution of the industry.
Assessment
Assessment methods include:
- coursework exercises
- presentations
- lab work
- reports
- examinations.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
COMP7030
20 credits
On this module you will learn the ways that computer systems can be secured. This module looks at both the technological and human issues involved in securing...
COMP7026
20 credits
This module teaches the principles and practice of setting up enterprise networks protected through standard security mechanisms. You will develop the ability...
COMP7023
20 credits
This module looks at low level programming tools and techniques for the creation, detection and defence against malware. You will learn how to examine code at...
COMP7041
20 credits
This module aims to provide a deep understanding of ethical hacking principles and methodologies. Emphasising hands-on skill development, the module covers the...
COMP7025
20 credits
In our lectures, we'll explore the theoretical side of secure software design and implementation. But theory alone won't cut it; we're all about hands-on...
COMP7039
60 credits
This module is an individual research and development project that allows you to study a topic of your choice in depth, guided by your supervisor. The work may...
Careers
Cyber security is important in a huge range of organisations, so your skills will be in high demand. Past graduates are working everywhere from small startup businesses to the NHS. Relevant roles you could look for include:
- IT security professional
- penetration tester
- digital forensic investigator
- software developer
- systems engineer
- technical analyst
- IT manager
- consultant.
You may also consider carrying on your research – either with a private company or by applying for a PhD.
How to apply
Our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, so module availability and course structures may vary from what is listed here. On rare occasions, we may also need to make updates to our course programmes after publication; for full details, please visit our changes to programmes page (opens in a new tab)