MSc Cyber Security and Forensic Information Technology
Southsea, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 8,100 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for full time: £8,100, part time: £2,700 per year for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents I Full time: £18,300 Part time: £6,100 per year : international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Prevent and prosecute digital crime by shaping your IT skills for a connected business world that craves your expertise.
You'll study twin, linked disciplines in this Master's: cyber security – protecting data and systems from cyber attack, and forensic information technology – detecting and collecting digital evidence of criminal activity. You'll explore methods used by hackers and how to prevent or combat them. You'll also learn the procedures to follow after an attack and how to present this information to investigators or court officials.
In our computer labs and forensic facilities, you'll infect a virtual machine with a virus of your own, overcome anti-forensic tools that try to hide evidence of a crime, and make a mock arrest of a cybercriminal. You'll dig into cryptography, hacking and formal computer languages, such as Linux.
When you graduate, you'll be set to enter a sector with a massive need for trained cyber security and forensic information technology professionals. UK government figures from 2022 show that 50% of businesses acknowledge having a skills gap in cyber security and forensics, which you'll be ideally placed to fill.
Study online
If you need more flexibility with your studies, you can study MSc Cyber Security and Digital Forensics online. Find out about studying this degree online.
Course highlights
- Master parallel disciplines in digital security and forensic investigation, and expand your career options in a connected world that needs cyber skills more than ever.
- Use our specialist facilities, including multi-platform network suites, pervasive computing lab for high-performance computing, usability lab with eye-tracking equipment, forensics lab and crime scene simulations.
- Investigate real-life case studies, identify digital trails, compile evidence and engage with ethical hacking, using current forensic tools and systems such as AccessData, Cellebrite and Tryhackme.
- Explore contemporary cybersecurity issues: blockchain and cryptocurrency, money laundering, the Internet of Things, drones, and anti-forensic techniques.
- Design and deliver your forensic IT engineering or study project, shaping this master to your interests.
- Learn formal logic, Linux and symbolic notation used in digital forensics and cyber security.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (The Chartered Institute for IT), partially meeting the educational requirement for CITP and CEng.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Full-time
Core modules
In this full-time MSc Cyber Security and Forensic Information Technology course, you'll study 4 core modules and choose a further optional module.
- Computer Forensic Investigation and Cryptography – 30 credits
- Mobile Forensics: Issues and Practice – 30 credits
- Systems, Security and Hacking – 30 credits
- Master's Project – 60 credits
Optional modules
In this full-time MSc Cyber Security and Forensic Information Technology course, you'll study 4 core modules and choose a further optional module.
- The Global Landscape of Cybersecurity – 30 credits
- Business Intelligence – 30 credits
- Big Data Applications – 30 credits
- Computer Security – 30 credits
- Cloud Computing – 30 credits
Part-time
Year 1
All modules in Year 1 are core
Core modules
- Computer Forensic Investigation and Cryptography – 30 credits
- Systems, Security and Hacking – 30 credits
Year 2
You will take one core and one optional module in Year 2.
Core modules
- Mobile Forensics: Issues and Practice – 30 credits
Optional modules
- The Global Landscape of Cybersecurity – 30 credits
- Business Intelligence – 30 credits
- Big Data Applications – 30 credits
- Computer Security – 30 credits
- Cloud Computing – 30 credits
Year 3
All modules in Year 3 are core.
Core modules
- Master's Project – 60 credits
Career Opportunities
Careers this Master's prepares you for
You'll graduate from this master's with skills that are in heavy demand. The UK Government's £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy aims to "ensure the UK continues to be a leading responsible and democratic cyber power" and shows how businesses in the private and public sectors need to fill a large cyber skills gap to meet that aim.
You'll have studied twin disciplines within that skills gap, so you'll be qualified for roles in preventing digital crime or investigating and prosecuting those who commit it. You'll be able to work in fields including:
- Law enforcement
- IT auditing
- Information security
- High-tech crime units
- Commercial investigation
- National security bodies
- Systems administration
- Security analysis
Career planning
During your course, you'll have expert careers advice from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Student Placements and Employability Centre. You can access support from our Careers and Employability Centre for up to 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from
- Networking events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events, including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business