Cybersecurity Subject Guide

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing niche within the tech industry that attracts the best and brightest, who work to protect businesses and other organisations from digital attacks. It’s a unique field that combines crime prevention and investigation with computer system engineering and people management. 

With high salary potential and great progression routes, it’s a subject area that many prospective postgraduate students are considering. You might be wondering whether cyber security is the next logical step for you as a computer science, maths or engineering graduate, what kind of cybersecurity jobs are out there for postgraduates, what skills you’ll need to develop, and where you could study. 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about cybersecurity at postgraduate level. 

CONTENTS 

• Why do a cybersecurity degree?
• What qualifications can you get?
• What jobs can you do with a cybersecurity degree?
• What are the cybersecurity degree entry requirements?
• What cybersecurity courses are there?
• What topics does a cybersecurity degree cover?
• What do you learn in a cybersecurity degree?
• How will you be taught and assessed?
• How long is a cybersecurity degree?
• Where can you study cybersecurity?
• What similar subjects are there to cybersecurity?

Why do a cybersecurity degree? 

Cybersecurity has risen to the forefront of the tech industry, as a rise in the frequency and impact of cyber attacks and digital crime highlights it as a top priority for businesses, charities and government organisations alike. 

This fascinating subject focuses on identifying, preventing or investigating digital threats and attacks on the computing systems and data of organisations. Drawing from computer science, information technology, business management and even criminology, it’s an exciting and interdisciplinary field that draws many analytically-minded problem solvers. 

Students of this field might get involved to help prevent crime and protect individuals or organisations, to work closely with computers and their users, or simply to tackle some of the most difficult problems in the digital sphere today. 

There is a high demand across all sectors for experienced, capable cybersecurity professionals, providing attractive job security and the potential for high wages to postgraduate leavers. 

What qualifications can you get? 

There are several types of cybersecurity courses available to prospective postgraduate students, each suiting a learner best depending on their academic or professional goals, existing experience in the field, and interests. 

The shortest types of postgraduate cybersecurity course are the PGCert and PGDip, which last one or two semesters full-time, respectively. These are typically popular with professionals in the industry who are looking to broaden or hone their industry skills, or students from related areas who are looking to add cybersecurity knowledge to their repertoire. 

The taught master’s in cybersecurity is a common choice for graduates of cybersecurity or related fields, like computer science, who want to develop a thorough understanding of the field, build a strong suite of professional skills, and prepare for a career in this area. These courses may contain industrial placements and dissertations or projects, which are a great way to gain practical experience and make industry connections. 

Doctoral qualifications, like a PhD, in cybersecurity are designed for those who want to train to become a professional researcher in the field. It involves proposing and completing a research thesis of significant length, developing new knowledge or tools that can be applied across the industry. 

What jobs can you do with a cybersecurity degree? 

Cybersecurity is a rising star in the tech and computing sectors, as organisations recognise the crucial importance of securing their digital infrastructure. Completing a postgraduate degree in this area will make you eligible for a wide range of roles, and help you stand out to potential employers. 

You might move into cybersecurity jobs such as: 

• Cybersecurity engineer 
• Cybersecurity consultant 
• Cybersecurity analyst 
• Cryptographer 
• Forensic computer analyst 
• Network architect 
• Security architect 
• Network engineer 
• Chief information security officer 
• Information security analyst 
• Penetration tester 
• Incident analyst 
• Cybersecurity project manager 
• Ethical hacker 
• Security software developer 

Many interdisciplinary roles are emerging due to the understanding that cybersecurity plays an important role in related areas such as software development, data storage, and human resource management. As a result, it’s certainly possible to find roles beyond this list, and even move into career paths in a number of less related areas. 

What are the cybersecurity degree entry requirements? 

Entry requirements for cybersecurity postgraduate courses will differ depending on the university’s admissions policy, the level of study, and the type of qualification. 

In most cases, cybersecurity master’s degrees will ask for a 2:2 grade or higher at undergraduate honours level, in an area like computer science, physics, mathematics or engineering. In many cases, equivalent professional qualifications will be accepted in lieu of this, or in combination with a lower academic qualification. 

Doctoral applicants will usually be expected to have a relevant master’s degree at merit level or above, as well as at least a 2:1 at undergraduate level in a relevant area. 

What cybersecurity courses are there? 

There are a few different types of cyber security university course to choose from at postgraduate level. Some of the programmes on offer include: 

• MSc Cyber Security 
• MSc Cyber Security and Data Governance Online 
• PGCert/PGDip/MSc Computer Science for Cyber Security 
• MBA Cyber Security Management 
• PhD Cyber Security 

What topics does a cybersecurity degree cover? 

Each cybersecurity master’s will have its own unique focus, and may offer students flexibility in designing their own curriculum through a range of core and optional modules. Typically, you might expect to study topics such as: 

• Systems administration and security 
• Hacking and the human 
• Network security 
• Cryptography 
• Secure design and development 

What do you learn in a cybersecurity degree? 

Completing a postgraduate degree in cybersecurity is an opportunity to deepen your expertise in this specific niche, learn to apply your knowledge to real-world industry challenges, and gain practical experience in a number of project settings. 

Some of the key skills you’ll pick up during your cybersecurity degree include: 

• Scripting, through which you’ll be able to build relevant tools and automate tasks at the heart of your cybersecurity analyst work 
• Knowledge of frameworks and controls, through which an understanding of how data and the operations of a business are governed and protected 
• Monitoring networks, detecting intrusions, and preventing attacks 
• Working with different operating systems and network security controls 
• Cloud computing 
• Working with software developers and digital operations staff 
• Understanding new and existing regulations, as well as emerging threats 

A number of soft skills are delivered to students at postgraduate level which help them thrive in their careers, including effective communication, managing risk, working with others, adapting and responding to new challenges, thinking critically and analytically, and having an eye for detail. 

How will you be taught and assessed? 

Postgraduate taught cybersecurity courses are typically delivered through a mix of lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions, where students are able to learn directly from teachers, discuss topics and develop ideas in small groups, and apply their knowledge in a practical, supervised settings. 

Both taught and research degrees contain significant self-directed learning, though a research qualification will have fewer directed learning components and contact hours. 

Cybersecurity degrees are usually assessed through a mix of coursework, directed lab work, individual or group projects, written or oral assessments, and class tests. Almost all qualifications will have a final dissertation, research project or industrial project. 

How long is a cybersecurity degree? 

The length of your cybersecurity degree will depend on the type of course you’ve enrolled on, and your study pattern. 

Most cybersecurity master’s, typically MSc degrees, are one year in length if studied full-time. Studying part-time will usually take two years. There are also some fully online master’s degrees that usually take two years to complete. 

Completing a shorter postgraduate course, like a PGCert or PGDip, will take between one and two semesters full-time. A doctoral qualification, like an MPhil or PhD, can take between two- and four- years full-time. 

Where can you study cybersecurity? 

There are over 100 postgraduate cybersecurity university courses to choose from. With 70 different universities offering programmes in t his subject area, you could study almost anywhere in the UK. Our university search tool is a great way to browse your options and easily access information about potential courses before applying.  

What similar subjects are there to cybersecurity? 

During your search for the perfect postgraduate study option, you might also want to consider a number of similar subjects to cybersecurity, such as: 

• Computer science 
• Information technology systems 
• Software engineering 
• Computer forensics 
• Web development 

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