CYBERCRIME MSc

Provided by University of Portsmouth

About the course

Overview

Do you want to be part of the next generation of cybercrime research and investigation experts? This MSc Cybercrime degree course will improve your technical, investigative and academic skills, pushing you to your career and study goals.

You'll get the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the challenges of cybersecurity, carry out investigations and operate as a link between the police and technological forensic investigators. You'll explore themes like the Dark Web, illegal file sharing and hacking, and get to grips with the challenges faced by criminal justice agencies, businesses and governments in the face of cybercrime.

You'll also get to choose from Core Subjects like Criminology and Security Management, and Specialist Options including Online Governance and Regulation, depending on the career path you want to take.

Postgraduate Flexible Framework

This course is part of the MSc Criminal Justice Postgraduate Flexible Framework.

The Flexible Framework allows you to customise your postgraduate degree. The modules and subjects you choose will determine which award title you graduate with. To view the other module options open to you, visit the subject pages below.

The additional Core Subjects you can choose from include:

• Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption
• Crime Science
• Criminal Justice
• Criminal Psychology
• Criminology
• Intelligence (in combination only)
• International Criminal Justice 
• Policing, Policy & Leadership (Distance learning only)
• Security Management
• Victimology (Distance learning only)

Our MSc Cybercrime degree course offers you two routes of study, depending on your preferences and career goals.

Route A

In addition to Cybercrime: Critical Perspectives, and your research methods study, you'll study a relevant Specialist Option. You'll only be able to study a Specialist Option if enough other students elect to take the option in question. You will also have a free choice to study any other available option.

Route B

In addition to Cybercrime: Critical Perspectives, and your research methods study, you'll study one additional Core Module from the list above, and a relevant Specialist Option from one of your Core Subjects. You'll only be able to study a Specialist Option if enough other students elect to take the option in question.

Specialist Options include:

• Regulating Power Conflicts in Cyberspace
• Global Landscape of Cybersecurity
• Dangerous Offenders and Vulnerable Victims

Your exit qualification will depend on which options you choose. You'll graduate with one of the following:

• MSc Cybercrime
• MSc Cybercrime and Criminal Justice
• MSc Cybercrime and Counter Fraud & Counter Corruption
• MSc Cybercrime and Criminal Psychology
• MSc Cybercrime and Criminology
• MSc Cybercrime and Security Management
• MSc Cybercrime and Intelligence
• MSc Crime Science and Cybercrime

What you'll experience

On this course, you'll:

• Hear the debates surrounding the causes of cybercrime, digital investigations and the methods and motivations of cyber criminals
• Have the option to complete a work placement with an organisation such as the Digital Forensic Group at Hampshire Constabulary
• Customise your degree to meet your career goals
• Learn from experts in cybercrime, policing and government
• Have 24/7 access to our library resources, including books, ejournals and newspapers
• Complete a major project, based on your chosen area of research, with the support of qualified and enthusiastic staff who are experts in the field

Careers and opportunities

You'll graduate from the MSc Cybercrime degree course with the skills needed for a successful career in the field of cybersecurity. You'll be competent in developing strategies against cybercrime threats, and your skills will be in demand in organisations such as criminal justice agencies, local government, businesses and charities. You'll also benefit from our links with Hampshire High Tech Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency.

You can also move on to further PhD study in cybercrime from a legal, technical or investigatory perspective.

We'll provide you with as much support as possible in finding employment through our close industrial contacts, careers events, recruitment fairs and individual advice.

Work experience and career planning

We'll help you to identify internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies.

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the cybersecurity industry.

After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

Learning support

As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

• academic writing
• note taking
• time management
• critical thinking
• presentation skills
• referencing
• working in groups
• revision, memory and exam techniques

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• individual and group projects
• online materials

How you'll spend your time

Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:

• September to December – teaching block 1
• January – assessment period 1
• January to May – teaching block 2 (includes Easter break)
• May to June – assessment period 2

Most teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. If you study on campus, you may occasionally need to go to University events in the evenings and at weekends. Some course seminars may be held in the evening, both on campus and distance learning study modes.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through:

• essays
• case study
• blogs
• presentations
• research proposal
• dissertation or major project