MSc Cyber Security and Pen Testing
Middlesex University Dubai
Key Information
Campus location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
AED 70,000 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Jan 2025
* total fee
Scholarships
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Introduction
The MSc Cyber Security and Pen Testing programme will provide students with intensive practical training and a profound theoretical education which covers strategic and organisational issues alongside the technicalities of network security. Students will be prepared to take roles such as training specialists, systems and business analysis managers or university lecturers and work in: programming, telecommunications engineering, network management, and computer and network security. The programme is designed in response to the increasing demand for cybersecurity solutions due to the rise in security issues.
Students will focus on critically evaluating the needs for security provisions using the security policies and regulations, analysing and evaluating security applications and techniques, and proposing new measures to improve security. They will develop the ability to: analyse possible security risks that a communication system might face and recommend possible solutions; evaluate new threats and implement solutions to combat them; make functional security designs and implement them successfully thus empowering them for their future careers.
Why Study MSc Cyber Security and Pen Testing?
The MSc programme will provide you with:
- An understanding of the fundamental importance of computer, network, and communication system security for all organizations.
- The ability to involve both the management and the user in the process of awareness, decision and implementation with regard to computer and network security.
- The skills to analyse the security risks a communication system may have and to propose/devise solutions.
- The knowledge necessary to evaluate new threats to authentication, confidentiality and privacy with a view of implementing solutions to combat such threats.
- The ability to make a functional security design for a communication system and implement it successfully.
- A balance of theory, advanced practical skills and experience to enable students to develop a sound knowledge and analytical ability to facilitate their intellectual and professional development.
- Students have an edge as the University works with companies such as Microsoft, Dell EMC, IBM, Oracle and SAP in addition to being Cisco Net Academy – meaning the student will have access to the latest equipment and can make use of specialist teaching materials and workshops.
- Programme content is enriched by providing industry engagement opportunities to students through industry speakers and field trips.
Benefits
- Opportunity for professional certifications e.g. CCNA, Dell Associate certificate in Cloud Infrastructure and Services
- Opportunity to work on industry projects as part of final year projects and coursework
- Opportunity to engage with high profile professionals at invited guest talks and field trips
- Opportunity to participate at various IT competitions and Hackathons under faculty mentorship
- Entry to various events and talks open only to Universities that have MoU with the British Computer Society – Middle East section
Teaching
Taught sessions are held at our Dubai Knowledge Village Park (Block 16, 17, 04 and 19) during the week (Sunday to Thursday) between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Additional sessions might be scheduled over weekends or holiday periods and you can expect to receive plenty of notice for these. You can expect to attend one session per week per module, except where otherwise specified in the programme timetable and for the Dissertation module in which you will be working individually on your thesis with some supervised elements. Attending scheduled weekly classes is an important requirement for the completion of this programme.
You will be actively involved in a range of learning, teaching and assessment approach as part of your programme. Such active approaches aim to put you at the centre of your learning so you are involved and engaged in all aspects of your assessment and learning. Your programme will require your active participation in learning activities and engagement with your fellow students both individually and collaboratively, working and learning with other students as part of a small group. Learning activities may also occur both within and outside the classroom.
Your learning will also be supported by technology. Increasingly your tutors will be using existing and emerging learning technologies to engage you in e-learning activities. Your programme may be facilitated using a variety of media and online tools (My Learning on UniHub, podcasts, wikis, etc.) which could allow you flexible access to a diverse range of online resources, quizzes and learning materials as well as collaborative tools with which you can engage and learn with your peers.
Not confined by the time and space associated with traditional teaching methods you may take part in online discussions and learning activities from wherever you are studying. By engaging with e-learning you will also be developing skills that are essential for your learning and are also highly valued by employers. These include but are not limited to: working flexibly, communication, understanding of IT, team working and creating shared understandings based on quality resources and access to global expertise.
Taught modules are devised to ensure active learning both of the subject matter and of the skills essential to postgraduate level study. In addition to scheduled class time, students are expected to undertake independent study doing research work, preparing for lectures and seminars and working in groups.
A number of assessment methods are used at Middlesex University, and these vary depending on the content of the modules being taught.
Assessment comprises a mixture of coursework, peer review, presentations and portfolio work. For example, you may give an oral presentation, read and comment on an academic article or write an academic essay. Case studies are used extensively. In addition, each module has a comprehensive range of online resources available to enhance your studies with us. You will receive detailed module handbooks each year with information on teaching and learning strategies, assessment methods and reading materials.
Virtual Open Days
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Admissions
Curriculum
Programme Content
The MSc Cyber Security and Pen Testing programme is studied over one year on a full-time basis and two years on a part-time basis. The programme is divided into study units called modules. A module is a unit of study with credits according to the subject and nature of learning. Students take 180 credits, with each 30 credit module representing approximately 300 hours of student learning, endeavour and assessment.
Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.
Year 1
- Cyber Security and Legal Regulations (15 Credits) - Compulsory
- Penetration Testing and Forensics (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- Security Solutions and Applications (30 Credits) - Compulsory
- Operating Systems and Application Environments (15 Credits) - Compulsory
- Individual PG Project (60 Credits) - Compulsory
- Network Security and Mechanisms (15 Credits) - Compulsory
- Computer Networks and Internetworking (15 Credits) - Compulsory
Career Opportunities
This master’s degree will leave students ideally placed for roles such as training specialist, systems dispenser, business analysis manager, or university lecturer. A majority of graduates in the programme will be in roles directly related to their studies and work in programming, telecommunications engineering, network management, and computer and network security sectors. Graduates could even start their own business or may pursue a career in academia.