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MSc Cyber Security (Online)

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Why choose Herts?

Our Cybersecurity Centre has developed strong relationship with the industry, and this experience is mirrored in the course provision, teaching the most current and relevant strategies, methods, tactics, and technologies used in the industry.
The course embeds the requirements and directives from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Cybersecurity Body of Knowledge (CyBOK).
The mode of delivery and assessments aim at developing high level of skills in security management and operations, required in career development and progress, from Security Operations Centre (SOC) to Chief Security Officers (CSO).

For admission to the MSc Cybersecurity (Online):

a recent good honours degree (or equivalent) in computer science or cognate discipline;
applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate sufficient competence in English to benefit from the Programme. This is normally demonstrated by recognised awards equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 candidates who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Supporting documents required

copies of the front and back of your undergraduate degree transcript and certificate
curriculum vitae
English language qualification certificate (you should have a score of 6.0 overall if presenting an IELTS test)
a substantial personal statement about why you want to study this programme, what you hope to gain from the course and where you see your future development taking your career
a copy of the photo page of your passport
one academic or professional reference.

Find out more about international entry requirements

See what system requirements are needed for online study

View our simple steps to a successful application (PDF - 0.17 Mb)


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science
Course length	Online - Full Time, 16 Months Online - Full Time, 1 Years Online - Part Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

Our online masters programme is designed to give you up-to-date skills and knowledge sought after by employers, whether in business, industry, government or research.

The MSc Cybersecurity course will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills in network and systems security, from the cyber operations at different levels of corporate environment, information security management, penetration testing and ethical hacking, to enterprise security management.

Successful graduates may pursue a career as a penetration tester, information security consultant, different levels of Security Operations Centre (cyber analyst, threat hunter, and centre manager), and chief information security officer (CISO), across a wide range of sectors.

About the course

The award reflects the most current developments in the cybersecurity field, and it builds on our experience and reputation in providing industry-based qualifications in relation to network and systems security. The course aims to develop employability and research skills in the areas of cybersecurity operations, information security, penetration testing, and responsible technologies.

Why choose this course?

Find out more information about how online study works, funding and how to apply.

One of a range of advanced courses within our postgraduate Master's programme in Computer Science, this particular course provides you with a specialism in Cybersecurity.
Advanced topics studied include information security and compliance, strategies, methods and technologies used in penetration testing, management of cybersecurity centres, and developing and enforcing enterprise security policies.
You will gain an internationally recognised master's degree from the UK's University of Hertfordshire.
Flexible online learning allows you to fit study around your other commitments, without travel and accommodation costs.
You will be taught by a highly regarded and long-established computer science department.
Benefit from the same academic standards and quality control procedures as our equivalent on campus course.

What will I study?

Our online MSc programmes are taught 100% online through the University’s virtual learning environment, Studynet. Assessment is by coursework and online tests.

You will receive learning materials, take part in discussions and submit your assignments online. Additionally, you will receive study resources such as key e-books and any specialist software. You will have access to the University's extensive online library facilities, or be able to visit in person if you so choose.

The amount of study time required is no different from that needed for an on campus programme. You should expect to spend at least 30 hours per week if studying full-time, and in proportion if part-time.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Cyber Operations (COM)	15 Credits	Compulsory
Today, Information Environments have become large, diverse and heterogeneous. System boundaries and jurisdictions have blurred, and system assets can be located in different geographical locations. Stakeholders span across an integrated supply chain, new vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered and threat agents can expand their operations at an international level with little effort. The first and last line of defence to any information environment is a thorough, explicitly defined and well implemented cyber defence strategy. The module will discuss the different cyber battle spaces and their domains of conflict looking in detail into the different disciplines of cyber operations and their functions under the context of protecting the corporate information environment. The module will touch upon the concepts of psychological operations, deception, network operations, situational awareness (including intelligence and counterintelligence) and of course information security and operational security.
Digital Forensics (COM)	15 Credits	Compulsory
Digital forensics is the discipline that deals with the collection, examination, analysis and reporting of digital evidence. Digital forensics techniques are employed in various types of investigations from cybercrimes to corporate investigations. When a security incident is reported, digital forensics techniques are applied in order to retrieve related evidence in an evidentially sound manner. The constant development of a range of technologies is contributing to the establishment of formal methods and procedures for digital forensic investigators. In this module the students should expect to familiarise themselves with the current research in the field and study the incident response and digital forensic investigation practices. They will study the formal methodologies, policies and legal guidelines and constraints involved in the investigation of a cyber security incident or cybercrime. A highly practical element should also be anticipated in this module as the students will work with various digital forensics tools in order to practically analyse digital devices and extract digital evidence.
Distributed Systems Security (COM)	15 Credits	Compulsory
A range of topics will be covered in this module. The detailed content will vary according to contemporary research directions. Case studies will be used throughout. Issues will be considered in relation to each topic as appropriate. These pervasive issues are: models, design, standards, protocols, and performance. A more detailed description of the module content is provided in the module delivery information for students.
Information Security Management and Compliance (COM)	30 Credits	Compulsory
Today, Information Environments have become large, diverse and heterogeneous. System boundaries and jurisdictions have blurred, and system assets can be located in different geographical locations. Stakeholders span across an integrated supply chain; new vulnerabilities are being constantly discovered and threat agents can expand their operations at an international level with little effort. The first and last line of defence to any information environment is a thorough, explicitly defined and well implemented risk and threat assessment process. The module will discuss procedures and controls for ensuring and assuring the information assets of an organisation. It will touch upon threat, risk, vulnerability and the approaches to incident and continuity management. It will look at security models, security standards and compliance issues for training students to conduct and manage risk and threat assessments.
Penetration Testing (COM)	15 Credits	Compulsory
In today's knowledge-centred virtual-computing era, the Cyber Domain is the Information Environment of choice for committing and facilitating crime. Criminals exploit system vulnerabilities in order to manifest threats for furthering their objectives. To secure a system, it is essential for computer security professionals to understand the structure, configuration, tools and techniques computer criminals rely upon, in order to successfully commit to their act. It is equally important to perform regular penetration tests for discovering system and network vulnerabilities. The module will discuss the mind-set, culture and ethics of the professional Pen-Tester, the current practice for conducting a 'PenTest' and of course, research the technologies and tools involved. The module will train scholars to hack infrastructures, mine search-engine results, extract and analyse document metadata, identify and exploit vulnerabilities, enumerate users and services.
Responsible Technology (COM)	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module is concerned with legal, social, ethical and professional issues that may affect the work of practitioners in the computing and technology sectors. Its main focus is on the ethical considerations inherent in the development of responsible technologies. Topics covered are likely to vary from year to year to reflect contemporary research and issues.
Cyber Security Masters Project (COM)	60 Credits	Compulsory
The project is a show piece opportunity for students to demonstrate what they know about current research and practices in cyber security and show off their skills in selecting and using appropriate techniques and tools employed in cyber security to conduct a practical investigation into a particular cyber security problem. The project is a self-directed piece of work, conducted with minimum supervision that demonstrates the student's ability to plan and manage a substantial piece of work, and steer their own efforts. Students are expected to be thorough in their work, and, particularly, identify and tackle any difficult or challenging aspects of the problems they are trying to solve. It is not just the quantity, or even the quality of work that is considered when grading the project, but the level of difficulty and the scope of the problem being addressed.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Cyber Security (Online)	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Computer Science (Modular) On-Line/Tutored E-Learning	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2023
UK Students

Full time
- £9900 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time
- £825 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
EU Students

Full time
- £9900 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time
- £825 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
International Students

Full time
- £9900 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time
- £825 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

2023

Start Date	End Date	Link
21/09/2023	30/09/2024	Apply online (Distance (Full Time))
18/01/2024	31/01/2025	Apply online (Distance (Full Time))
21/09/2023	30/09/2024	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))
20/01/2024	31/01/2025	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))

2024

Start Date	End Date	Link
21/09/2024	30/09/2025	Apply online (Distance (Full Time))
18/01/2025	31/01/2026	Apply online (Distance (Full Time))
21/09/2024	30/09/2025	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))
20/01/2025	31/01/2026	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))

MSc Cyber Security (Online)

Why choose Herts?

Supporting documents required

Careers

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2023

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

2023

2024