Cyber Security

MSc in Cyber Security
Our cyber security masters degree covers a range of topics. Topics include information security, digital forensics and other fundamental concepts. It also incorporates transferable skills applicable to professional development. You'll finish with a substantial independent project with either a professional or research orientation. Cyber security is a growing concern for organisations of all sizes. And the industry is currently experiencing a major skills gap and global demand for cyber security professionals. Our industry-relevant cyber security masters provides a rigorous approach to the study and application of cyber security. It will put you in a good position to pursue a successful career in the industry.

Key features of the course
• Brings together theory and practice and draws on your own background and experience.

• Provides a platform for further research studies.

• Enables you to study a broad range of cyber security topics relevant to career needs and professional interests.

Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
120 credits from:
• Information security (M811) 30
• Digital forensics (M812) 30
• Systems security (M817) 30
• Network security (T828) 30

Stage 2 (60 credits)
You'll choose either:
• a research route
• a professional route

Research route
60 credits from:
• Research project (T802) 60

Professional route
30 credits from:
• The MSc professional project (T847) 30

30 credits from:
• Data management (M816) 30
• Project management (M815) 30
• Software development (M813) 30
• Software engineering (M814) 30
• Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
• Technology and innovation management (TB801) 30
• Continuous professional development in practice (U810) 30

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module T848

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Note, in particular, you can count the credit from the following modules towards only a single qualification: Research project (T802); The MSc professional project (T847).

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time.

Entry requirements
To start this MSc, you will need a UK bachelors degree (or equivalent) in computing, cyber security or a related discipline, or relevant industrial experience in the area of cyber security. If you do not hold a bachelors degree, irrespective of your industrial experience, you will need to study a module from the Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (K22) to demonstrate your ability to study successfully at postgraduate level.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.

Our badged open course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, will introduce you to the nature of masters-level study. It offers essential preparation for pursuing your learning at this level – and is free.

2 - 6 years

How long it takes
This qualification can be completed within two years. Most students will study this qualification over three years, completing 60 credits each year. The maximum time to complete this is six years.

Career relevance
The modules in the postgraduate cyber security programme are for professional security specialists, computer specialists, engineers, technical managers and scientists who need to develop or update their skills and knowledge in the area of cyber security and gain a recognised qualification to develop their careers. They have been developed to combine theoretical and practical aspects of cyber security, to enable you to become an effective professional in the industry.

In addition, they aim to encourage you, through the provision of appropriate educational activities, to develop study and transferable skills applicable to your employment and your continuing professional development.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.