Cyber Security – MSc

Provided by Northumbria University (London Campus)

About the course

Overview

With the dramatic increase in high-profile cyber security incidents reported in the media, the demand for highly skilled security professionals is growing significantly as businesses across the globe seek to protect their networks and data. Our MSc Cyber Security provides you with a critical understanding of information governance and assurance, combined with technology risk management practices.

In addition to developing the key skills for handling security incidents, you will learn how to identify new and existing threats and the methods by which to reduce them.

Key facts

• Develop key skills which are highly in demand by employers
• Enhance your ability to handle and minimise security threats and incidents
• Understand information governance and assurance
• Upon successfully graduating, further build your skills and employability with one of the UK’s leading IT and project management training providers, QA with Professional Pathways
• Also available as a part-time programme

What will I study?

The programme aims to provide you with advanced and specialist knowledge and skills in the field of cyber security. Your MSc Cyber Security will cover topics such as Information Governance and Security, Information Assurance and Risk Management, Wireless Networks and Security, Network Security and Ethical Hacking for Cyber Security. You will also develop your research and project management skills, in particular to support your preparation for your MSc project. In your final semester you will complete a major individual project, where you will receive one-to-one tuition and supervision from a relevant academic supervisor.

This project will provide you with a platform to undertake a substantial piece of individual research. To do this you will utilise appropriate advanced research, critical evaluation and synthesis techniques.

Ultimately, as a graduate of MSc Cyber Security you will be able to:

• Demonstrate complex and specialised knowledge and skills in the field of cyber security
• Appreciate innovations, advances and major issues at the frontiers of cyber security and their implications
• Deal with complex issues both creatively and systematically, and show originality in tackling and solving problems
• Use and evaluate a variety of software, tools and techniques relevant to cyber security practices
• Work both individually and as a member of a team, recognising different team roles and multi-cultural environmental issues
• Communicate balanced judgements effectively (in writing and verbally) at the appropriate business and technical level with users, management, customers and technical specialists, justifying work in the content of wider theories and practice, including when considering incomplete or ambiguous data
• Critically understand computing systems in relation to cyber security issues
• Act in a professional and ethical manner in the development and use of computing systems
• Demonstrate professional attributes, including self-reflection, showing initiative, sound judgement, analytical ability, problem solving, the ability to conceptualise, theorise and research complex issues which advance understanding, and the ability to critically evaluate their own work and the work of others
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attributes to take leading roles within the computer science industry and will have developed highly transferrable skills that promote employability and lifelong learning
• Satisfy the educational requirements of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for professional membership

How will I be taught and assessed?

Throughout the course, you will be able to trial new approaches and processes in a safe environment, working on real-life scenarios and case studies.

You will be assessed using a mix of coursework and exams.

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research.

Significant emphasis is placed on developing your ability to complete a Masters degree.  As part of induction you will be made fully familiar with the learning resources and support available to you.  There will also be weekly academic support sessions designed to build your confidence and ability as a postgraduate learner.  You will also be allocated an individual guidance tutor at induction.  You will meet this tutor at regular intervals across your period of study.

Careers and further study

For those with high career aspirations, this programme can give you an extra edge in today’s competitive job market. Graduates from the programme will be equipped to work in a variety of careers in the IT industry or to progress to academic or research orientated careers. Job roles, including roles in leadership and management, could include working in, for example, software engineering, network design and management, network security, artificial intelligence or IT consultancy.

This programme will prepare you to meet the educational requirements of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Upon successfully completing your course, you may undertake further professional development and training through Professional Pathways programmes. This additional training is offered to our graduates for free, from our partner, QA and provides you with an excellent opportunity to undertake professional training at the end of your Masters from one of the UK’s leading corporate training providers, further enhancing your professional development and employability skills