The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements
Computer Science for Cyber Security
MSc or PGDip or PGCert
Key facts
Start dates
September 2022 / September 2023
Location
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.
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 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.
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
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
The full-time fees quoted are for the taught Year 1. Fees will be charged for the placement year in Year 2 and are available on request from finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk. For approximate fee levels of the placement year see the placement fee above.
Financial support and scholarships
The Department of Computing and Communication Technologies awards a limited number of scholarships for its taught postgraduate programmes, which are awarded on a competitive basis to UK, EU and international postgraduates each year. Further information can be found at /ecm/courses/scholarships/
For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.
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, if any, are detailed below.
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).
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.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that 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.
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.