MSc Cyber Security

Networked computers run our world. From homes to hospitals, airports to banks and all stops in between, everything is connected – but these systems are susceptible to infiltration and attack. On our MSc Cyber Security course, you’ll gain the expertise to become part of the defence.

By learning to design, implement and manage computer-based systems security on this masters, you’ll develop the skills and confidence to succeed in a wide range of cyber security roles. This could include security designer, ethical hacker, and digital forensics officer.

Starting with the fundamentals, you’ll gain a broad understanding of the different levels of computer and network security. You’ll then explore both the technical aspects and the logistics of planning and implementing network security management. And how to investigate systems after a breach.

You will also complete a masters project. While you’ll have plenty of support along the way, it’s a solo research project designed to develop confidence, autonomy and self-sufficiency – qualities that can take you far in the workplace.

We aim to train you to become a specialist in a field with opportunities in virtually every sector – with everything that means for your future career prospects.

Features and Benefits

• Learn alongside world-leading research - 86% of our research outputs in Computer Science are rated world-leading and internationally excellent (REF, 2021). Our cyber security research provides 'zero-trust', artificial intelligence-enabled cryptographic solutions to a range of cyber security challenges helping to deliver secure, resilient, and efficient services.
• World-class facilities - The department has an extensive range of equipment in our own specialist laboratories, so together with our dedicated technical staff, you'll graduate with the skills to work in professional facilities.
• Learn in the heart of a thriving technology sector - Being in Manchester puts the largest creative and digital technology sector outside the capital on our doorstep.
• Professional accrediation - The course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS, the Charterered Institute for IT), and provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), providing strong industry connections and a professional focus.
• Excellent standards - Recognised for our experience, the department is a member of the Oracle Academy and an academic partner of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec).
• Optional placement year - Boost your career prospects and put theory into practice with the option to take an industry placement year.
• Institute of Coding - The Department of Computing and Mathematics is part of the £40m national Institute of Coding (IoC). Our students have access to the IoC's cutting edge computer lab to hone their skills in this area.
• Investing in your future - We've invested over £115 million to transform our science and engineering campus into a space to thrive. Opening in 2024, our new Dalton building provides a professional study environment equipped with dynamic learning spaces, world-class teaching and research facilities to collaborative study zones to further prepare you for your future career.
• Dedicated computing studio space - Designed in collaboration with our current students, a new studio provides you with a professional environment to work individually and in groups. As well as being a great learning environment, the space can be used outside of your classes to organise hackathons, develop your own video games or simply where you can use your imagination to create the technology of the future.

You’ll need a UK Honours degree – at least a 2:2 – or the international equivalent, in a computing-related subject with knowledge of programming and computing networks. We might also consider your application if you have a different kind of computing qualification, together with substantial experience in a computing-focused role.