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Computer Science for Cyber Security

MSc or PGDip or PGCert

Key facts

Start dates

September 2023 / September 2024

Location

Wheatley

Course length

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

Accreditation(s)

This course has received full certification by GCHQ.

Overview

Our MSc Computer Science for Cyber Security course will equip you with the advanced technical skills needed to produce modern secure systems. The course builds on knowledge gained from your first degree. It is for recent graduates and those with substantial experience in the computing industry. 
 
Our teaching staff have a wide range of expertise. We put an emphasis on live projects, alongside group work modelled on industry standard working patterns.
 
You will use industry standard tools in our security, server and networking laboratories. These labs provide a safe space for you to practice both offensive and defensive security techniques.
 
The UK government has highlighted cyber threats as one of the four main threats to the UK. There is an increasing need to protect people, business and data from malicious attacks. Individuals skilled in computer science and cyber security who can design and build secure software and systems are in demand.

We are proud to announce that this course has been awarded full GCHQ certification, the gold standard for courses in Cyber Security.

Computer with a virus

How to apply

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

You should normally hold a first degree equivalent to at least a British lower second class bachelor's degree (2:2) in a computer-related subject. If your first degree is not 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.

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with 6.0 in all components.

OR

An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.

Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

International qualifications and equivalences

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English requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Application process

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£8,350 (Masters); £7,350 (Diploma); £4,175 (Certificate)

Home (UK) part time
£4,175

International full time
£16,600

Home (UK) full time
£8,700 (Masters); £7,700 (Diploma); £4,350 (Certificate)

Home (UK) part time
£4,350

International full time
£17,200

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2022 / 23
Home (UK) full time
£8,350 (Masters); £7,350 (Diploma); £4,175 (Certificate)

Home (UK) part time
£4,175

International full time
£16,600

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£8,700 (Masters); £7,700 (Diploma); £4,350 (Certificate)

Home (UK) part time
£4,350

International full time
£17,200

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 483088

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

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.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Learning and assessment

The MSc in Computer Science for Cyber Security has a modular course-unit design. This gives you flexibility and choice.

To qualify for a master’s degree you must pass modules amounting to 180 credits:

  • six taught modules (20 credits each)
  • dissertation (60 credits).

To qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science for Cyber Security you must pass modules amounting to 120 credits. In some cases, it may be possible for a student on a Postgraduate Diploma to do 3 taught modules (20 credits each) plus your dissertation (60 credits).

To qualify for a Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Science for Cyber Security you must pass modules amounting to 60 credits. This comprises three taught modules (20 credits each).

Students connecting computer wires

Study modules

The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

Research, Scholarship and Professional Skills in Cyber Security (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 as well as developing the professional skills and outlook needed for a lifelong career in the computing industry.

Secure Systems Architecture (20 credits)

In this module you will study the fundamentals of computer and network security and the ways that computer systems can be secured. This module will look at both the technological and human issues involved in securing and assessing the security level of a modern networked computer system. It also introduces basic concepts of operating systems and architecture.

Enterprise Networking (20 credits)

This module teaches the principles and practice of computer networking looking at how networks are used in modern enterprises.

Malware Analysis (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 the assembler level using reverse engineering techniques, as well as network level analysis of command and control structures, to obtain detailed information on malware. You will also investigate advanced malware anti-forensics tools, such as code obfuscation, and use mechanisms for defeating them.

Operating Systems Security and Development (20 credits)

This module builds on the foundations laid in Secure Systems Architecture to look at more complex operating systems concepts and technologies. It also covers systems development and you also learn low level systems programming which they put into practice by changing and extending existing operating systems.

Secure Programming (20 credits)

This module looks at the analysis, design, and implementation of secure software. It considers what software engineering principles can and should be used to help ensure the security of software in a range of environments. You will be taught the common classes of vulnerability at design and implementation stages and how they can defended and mitigated against. 

Final project

Compulsory modules

MSc Dissertation in Computer Science for Cyber Security (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 be undertaken in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation. You will undertake your dissertation over the summer period.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Learning and teaching

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 used on this course

Assessment methods include:

  • coursework exercises
  • presentations
  • lab work
  • reports
  • examinations.

Research

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. And 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:

After you graduate

Career prospects

This programme allows graduates to undertake a wide range of roles in IT and cyber security. Common careers in this area are: 

  • ​IT security professionals
  • penetration testers
  • digital forensic investigators
  • software developers
  • systems engineers
  • technical analysts
  • IT managers
  • consultants

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.