PhD Cyber Security

Cyber security is a fundamental requirement for all users of technology – helping to protect organisations and people from a significant, wide variety and constantly evolving threat. This ever-changing threat landscape requires constant innovation in the technologies that provide protection.

The MPhil/PhD Cyber Security programme is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a progamme of study that will lead you to making a significant novel contribution to knowledge. Supported by the Centre for Cyber Security, Communications and Network Research (CSCAN) and our internationally recognised academics, candidates will undertake a body of research focused upon a targeted area of cyber security, publish papers and contribute to the wider community and body of knowledge.

Key features

This full time or part time doctoral programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is the most appropriate research degree to undertake.

You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies. Even if you already have a masters degree, you will normally be registered as a ‘MPhil/PhD’ candidate and may apply to transfer to ‘PhD’ status around 12–21 months after registration, based on your progress to date.

You will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts.

Your PhD will be assessed via submission of either a written thesis (up to 80,000 words), or one that combines critical writing with artistic, creative and/or professional practice, and a viva voce (an oral examination).

Applicants are expected to have completed a masters level qualification to a high standard (e.g. at 'merit' or 'distinction' level) as well as either a good 2:1 or first class honours undergraduate degree in an area of study appropriate to your project proposal. We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications (for instance, you may have studied different subjects at undergraduate and masters level but have worked in and/or developed an interest in your sector since then). You will also need to provide evidence that you are ready to pursue the project you propose in your application. This will take the form of a research proposal.