MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project

Why choose Herts?

Career impact: 96% of postgraduates in work/study (Graduate Outcomes, 2025)¹
Industry Connections: You will benefit from our strong links in the computing industry with regular careers fairs and industry sessions supported by Microsoft, Hewlett Packard and Ocado Technologies.
Real-world project skills: Complete a team-based project in an industry-style environment designed to reflect industry practice, helping you develop the collaboration, leadership and delivery skills needed in professional roles.

You should have a good honours degree (or equivalent) in computer science or cognate discipline. The choice of award title students may be accepted on to will be determined by the award applied for and the prior learning of the student as demonstrated by the transcript for existing qualifications held by the applicant.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate sufficient competence in the language to benefit from the postgraduate degree. This is normally demonstrated with an overall IELTS score of 6.0 or an equivalent award. Candidates who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The course is subject to the University's Principles, Policies and Regulations for the Admission of Students to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes (in UPR SA03), along with associated procedures. These will take account of University policy and guidelines for assessing accredited prior certificated learning (APCL) and accredited prior experiential learning (APEL).


Institution code	H36
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

What job can I get?

You will develop the specialist, up-to-date skills and knowledge sought after by employers across business, industry, government and research, helping you progress into advanced computing and technology roles.

The MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project course will equip students with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in cyber security.

Graduates secure careers in the cybersecurity industry, or any other industries that require in-house information security management such as educational institutions, hospitals, retail chains, banks, or government.

Professional Accreditations

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

About the course

The MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project is designed for graduates who want to specialise in cyber security. You will explore both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of cyber security, including how to protect systems, detect vulnerabilities, and respond to emerging threats.

You will also complete both an individual MSc project and an additional Advanced Project module.

One of a range of taught master’s courses offered by the Department of Computer Science. The course offers three award routes that you can choose to study:

MSc Cyber Security
MSc Cyber Security with Extended Professional Practice
MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project

Why choose this course?

Through the MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project, you will develop advanced technical knowledge alongside the collaborative and project management skills increasingly valued in senior computing roles. The Advanced Project route gives you the opportunities to work as part of a multidisciplinary team on a large-scale project, helping you build experience of delivering complex solutions on a professionally focused environment.

One of a range of advanced courses within our postgraduate master's degrees in computer science, the MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project will help you develop the advanced technical knowledge and practical skills needed for specialist and senior roles in areas such as cyber security, information assurance and digital security management.

The Advanced Project allows you to work on a complex, real-world cyber security problem, applying techniques such as penetration testing, digital forensics, or security risk assessment to deliver a practical solution.

You will develop technical expertise and practical skills in identifying and critically evaluating vulnerabilities of and threats to the security and integrity of distributed systems, conducting and managing a comprehensive risk assessment of the distributed systems in a complex and unpredictable environment. Advanced topics studied include distributed systems security, information security, management and compliance, digital forensics, penetration testing, and cyber operations.

You will learn from a highly regarded and long-established computer science department with strong links to business, where 90% of its research is ranked as world-leading (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).

¹from 2022/23 graduates, in employment or further study 15 months after graduation.

What will I study?

You will study areas including penetration testing, digital forensics, cyber operations and information security management, developing the technical and analytical skills needed to identify and respond to complex security threats.

Classes consist of lectures, small group seminars, and practical work in our well-equipped laboratories. We use modern, industry-standard software wherever possible.

Alongside taught modules and individual MSc project, you will complete an Advanced Project module. This includes both taught content in project management and teamwork, and a team-based project where you will collaborate with other students to deliver a complex, predefined project.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Network Security	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will explore the current network security protocols and architectures required to design and implement secure computer networks. You will gain knowledge of the latest network security technologies and study them in depth. Additionally, you will work on one or more small-scale projects to apply these network security concepts, using various tools and techniques.
Distributed Systems Security	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will focus on two key themes at the heart of distributed systems security: the development of cryptographic tools to address threats and perceived threats in distributed systems, and the application of these tools to both static and dynamic systems, with a particular emphasis on decentralised distributed systems. You will explore cryptography and cryptanalysis, essential tools for protecting information and communication channels in response to attacks. Additionally, you will examine recent threats emerging from the quantum world and Artificial Intelligence, along with the developments being made to counter these challenges.
Digital Forensics and Incident Response	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will integrate digital forensic methodologies with incident response strategies. You will study digital forensics, which deals with the collection, examination, analysis, and reporting of digital evidence, and incident response, which focuses on containment and recovery, in addition to investigating computer systems by collecting and analysing data. You will gain practical expertise in evidence collection, analysis, and reporting while mastering containment and recovery approaches during Cyber Security incidents. The module will emphasise preserving the integrity of digital evidence and managing complex cyber threats using advanced forensic tools and techniques.
Advanced Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
This module has two delivery elements. For the taught element, you will learn how to build and manage strong teams, foster communication and trust, understand the intricacies of large-scale projects, understand project management methodologies and tools, set up and structure activities that run in parallel, and manage change requests from different stakeholders. For the project element, you will operate within a secure, semi-structured environment, participating in teams and working towards the completion of a large-scale, complex, and multidisciplinary project.
Operating Systems Security	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will focus on a variety of general legacy as well as recent OS-related security issues, ranging from driver, kernel, networking, memory/process/user management, and race conditions, to more specific OS vulnerabilities. You will study methods of checking for vulnerabilities and employ OS hardening by configuring various aspects of the OS, as well as scripting and managing upgrades. You will be expected to work both individually and in groups, producing professional-grade reports.
Responsible Technology	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will explore legal, social, ethical, and professional issues that may affect the work of practitioners in the computing and technology sectors. You will focus on the ethical considerations inherent in the development of responsible technologies. The topics covered will vary from year to year to reflect contemporary research and issues.
Information Security, Management and Compliance	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will explore the complexities of modern Information Environments, which have become large, diverse, and heterogeneous. You will learn how system boundaries and jurisdictions have blurred, with system assets now spread across different geographical locations. You will understand how stakeholders span an integrated supply chain, how new vulnerabilities are continually discovered, and how threat agents can expand their operations internationally with little effort. You will also examine the importance of a thorough, explicitly defined, and well-implemented risk and threat assessment process as the first and last line of defence in any information environment. The module will discuss procedures and controls for ensuring and assuring the information assets of an organisation, covering threat, risk, and vulnerability management methods. Additionally, you will explore security models, standards, and compliance issues to train you in conducting and managing risk and threat assessments.
Cyber Operations	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will explore the concept of information as a weapon in the modern information environment, examining various cyber battlespaces and domains of conflict such as network warfare, command and control warfare, defensive operations, threat intelligence, protection measures, and attack response and restoration. You will also cover offensive operations, including perception management, intelligence for targeting and damage assessment, and attack operations. The module will delve into the disciplines of cyber operations, also known as information operations, including psychological operations, deception, network operations, intelligence and counterintelligence, information security, operational security, and the concept of defence in depth.
Penetration Testing	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will explore the Cyber Domain as the Information Environment of choice for committing and facilitating crime in today's knowledge-centred virtual-computing era. You will learn how criminals exploit system vulnerabilities to further their objectives and why understanding the structure, configuration, tools, and techniques they rely on is essential for computer security professionals. You will also examine the importance of performing regular penetration tests to discover vulnerabilities. The module will cover the mindset, culture, and ethics of professional Pen-Testers, the current practices for conducting a 'PenTest', and the technologies and tools involved. Additionally, you will gain practical experience in hacking infrastructures, mining search-engine results, extracting and analysing document metadata, identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, and enumerating users and services.
Cyber Security Masters Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
The project module includes both a taught and a non-taught component. During the taught part, you will cover the following topics: Project plan development, Project risk assessment, Ethics and working with human participants, Problem analysis and decision-making, Literature review, Conducting investigative work, Documenting a project, and Report writing and presentation. In the non-taught part, under the guidance of a supervisory team, through a series of scheduled meetings lasting up to 6 hours, you will work towards completing a project in Cyber Security.

Further course information

Programme specifications
MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project - Full Time, Sem B	Download
MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project - Full Time, Sem A	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No

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

Funding and fees
Other financial support

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

Fees 2026
UK Students
Full time
- £15120 for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 inclusive
*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

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the Programme Specification.
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
21/09/2026 31/05/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
18/01/2027 31/01/2028 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
2027
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
21/09/2027 31/05/2028 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
18/01/2028 31/01/2029 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
21/09/2026	31/05/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
18/01/2027	31/01/2028	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
21/09/2027	31/05/2028	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
18/01/2028	31/01/2029	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

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MSc Cyber Security with Advanced Project

Why choose Herts?

What job can I get?

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2026

UK Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2026

2027