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MSc Cyber Security (1 year full-time)

This one year MSc Cyber Security degree offers a multi-disciplinary approach to this critically important topic, embracing not only the technical subjects, but also aspects of criminology, risk management, law and social sciences giving you skills that are highly regarded by leading employers.

Due to high demand, this course is now closed to international applicants. This course remains open for UK and EU applicants. Any non-UK/EU applications received after this time will not be processed. We have a range of other related postgraduate courses that you may want to consider.

Not sure if you classify as an International student? Check our fee status page.

We are an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research

Introducing your degree

Cyber security is a topic of critical importance to commercial and academic organisations, as well as to governments and their citizens. Our Cyber Security programme, primarily aimed as a broadening qualification for computer science graduates, offers a multi-disciplinary perspective to the subject, giving students an excellent basis for a future career in the cyber security field.

Overview

There is currently a worldwide shortage of skilled practitioners in cyber security. In the UK, the National Audit Office recently named "addressing the UK's current and future ICT and cyber security skills gap" as a "key challenge", whilst at a time when cybercrime “as-a-service” is on a steep rise, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skill calls for companies to make of cyber security a Board level responsibility. Our MSc is specifically designed to give students a well-rounded, multi-disciplinary view of the subject area, embracing not only the technical subjects, but also aspects of criminology, risk management, law and social sciences.  We believe a broad grounding in cyber security will give our students a key advantage in the marketplace.

View the programme specification for this course for 2020/21 entrants

View the programme specification addendum for this course for 2020/21 entrants

Accreditation

This is one of only 25 cyber security MSc programmes in the UK to be awarded full certification against the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Certified Master's standard, subject to a specific set of modules: see the programme spec for details. 

We are recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by the UK Government and our academics have played a leading role in establishing a European Data Science Academy.

Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Programme Structure

One year, full-time.

The programme is primarily a broadening qualification for computer science graduates, but is also one that may appeal to suitable graduates from other disciplines. The programme features two semesters of taught modules, with a variety of optional modules available to allow students to selectively gain knowledge in some specific subject areas, followed by the MSc dissertation/project, which where possible is conducted in conjunction with an industrial partner.

To Apply

You can apply for the programme through the University of Southampton's online postgraduate application system. Visit our how to apply pages for more information. Please note that we belong to the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering (FPSE).

The deadline for new applications to this course is 31 July each year.

Key Facts

Southampton University has pioneered many of the most important advances in computer science and web technology of the past 10 years

We are in the top 10% in the UK for the volume and quality of our Computer Science research (REF 2014)

100% of our Computer Science research impact is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2014)

Southampton is ranked in the top 100 universities for Computer Science in the 2018 QS World Rankings, and top 10 in the UK

We are in the UK top ten for Computer Sciences (Guardian University Guide, 2019)

We are recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by the UK Government and our academics have played a leading role in establishing a European Data Science Academy

Southampton is a University Partner of The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements

Honours Degree:

A UK bachelor’s degree with a minimum (2:1) degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or a closely related subject, and a high 2:1 in required modules*.  

See international equivalent entry requirements. This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.

*The required modules are:

  • at least one programming language;
  • at least one computer networks module;
  • at least one computer science related module e.g. cryptography, software, data structures, databases, machine learning, web, networks.  

Where applicable we take into account industrial experience, in place of taught programming and/or networking experience. 

English Language Requirements:

All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency: Band C, IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applications from international students. For information on applying, visit the International Office

Selection process:

All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedures as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs. The programme may require adaptation for students with disabilities (eg hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility difficulties, dyslexia), particularly the practical laboratory sessions, and we will attempt to accommodate students wherever possible.

Career Opportunities

This programme provides an excellent platform for either immediate employment in the cyber security field or further research in industry or academia. Our graduates should not only understand technical aspects of cyber security, but also the broader context in which these sit.

Our students should be able to seek careers in:

  • Established companies designing and marketing specific off-the-shelf security products (anti-viruses, anti-spam, software analysers, firewalls, etc.)
  • Emerging cyber security professions embedded in companies and business of any sort. These include the expert figures required as companies are urged to take responsibility for the analysis of their cyber-threats and the design of their cyber-defences
  • A growing range of cyber security consultancy companies who study and analyse trends in cyber security and who provide advice to a wide range of clients
  • Professions for which cyber security plays a key role, and for which understanding the broader context is becoming increasingly important, e.g. the military, intelligence agencies, and crime prevention and investigation
  • Government departments, e.g. in the UK the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BiS), who provide analysis and strategy advice for the UK and its businesses

Academic possibilities include further study towards a Ph.D. qualification, or research assistant positions undertaking cyber security related research.

Visit our careers hub for more information.

 

Through an extensive blend of networks, mentors, societies and our on-campus startup incubator, we also support aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build their professional enterprise skills. Discover more about enterprise and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

Fees for postgraduate taught courses vary across the University. All fees are listed for UK, EU and international full-time and part-time students alphabetically by course name.

View the full list of course fees

Funding

Scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.

Explore funding opportunities

Costs associated with this course

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.

There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the University:

TypeDescription
Approved CalculatorsCandidates may use calculators in the examination room only as specified by the University and as permitted by the rubric of individual examination papers. The University approved models are Casio FX-570 and Casio FX-85GT Plus. These may be purchased from any source and no longer need to carry the University logo.
StationeryYou will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc). Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.
TextbooksWhere a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source.

Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module.
Printing and Photocopying CostsIn the majority of cases, coursework such as essays; projects; dissertations is likely to be submitted on line. However, there are some items where it is not possible to submit on line and students will be asked to provide a printed copy. A list of the University printing costs can be found here: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/students/printing-for-students.page.

In some cases you’ll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.

Pre-course Reading List

We expect students to have a background in Computer Science or a related discipline, and thus you should have experience with topics including computer networks and computer programming.

The recommended texts for our cyber security modules include:

  • “Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems”, Ross J Anderson (2008).
  • “Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do about it”, R.A. Clarke, ECCO Press (2012).
  • “Cyber Warfare: Techniques, Tactics and Tools for Security Practitioners”, J. Andress, Syngress (2011)
  • “Security in Computing”, Fourth Edition, C. Pfleeger and S. Pfleeger, Prentice Hall (2006)
  • “Secrets and Lies, Digital Security in a Networked World”, B. Schneier, Wiley (2000).
  • “Handbook of Internet Crime” Jewkes, Y. and Yar, M. (eds), Devon: Willan (2010)
  • “Cryptography Engineering: Design Principles and Practical Applications”, N. Ferguson, B. Schneier and T. Kohno, John Wiley (2010)
  • Private Security. Leicester, Perpetuity Press, B. George and M. Button. (2000)
  • "Project Risk Management: processes, techniques and insights", C. Chapman and S. Ward, Second edition, John Wiley & Sons (2003).
  • “Risk Management: organisation and context”, S. Ward, Witherby & Co Ltd. (2004)

Students may also wish to research commercial white papers, for example:

  • “Cybercrime Exposed: cybercrime-as-a-service”, Rai Samani and François Piaget, McAfee White Paper, 2013

There is a variety of cyber security blogs that should be of interest to students, and highlight topical subjects, including:

We also recommend that students review a range of annual cyber security reports, including:

Location

Highfield Campus

Highfield is our main campus and the heart of the University. Set in beautiful green surroundings, it’s easily accessible from the city centre. University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ.

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