MSc Cyber Security
Cardiff, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 30,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for overseas | for home: £11,700
Key Summary
Introduction
Why Study this Course
Address the key security issues that are faced by global communications and information systems and develop your practical skills through exposure to real-world problems and datasets.
Developed in conjunction with industry and aligned with GCHQ recommendations, our cyber security course teaches you the very latest security principles, practices, tools and techniques. Led by a team of specialist staff in our newly updated computer laboratories, our MSc in Cyber Security will prepare you for one of the most in-demand roles of our time or a related research career.
As well as studying areas such as secure application development, risk management, malware analysis and digital forensics, you will gain an understanding of the business continuity and transformation aspects that are crucial to cyber resilience in an ever-evolving threat landscape. Using case-based analysis, you will have the opportunity to learn about security operations and forensic approaches to investigation across multiple platforms.
After graduation, you will be well-placed to progress into a variety of roles in digital security and data science or a related research career.
This one-year degree falls under the umbrella of the Data Science Academy (DSA), run by the School of Computer Science and Informatics, in partnership with the School of Mathematics. You will benefit from the shared knowledge and skills of both Schools. However, your degree will still be run by the School of Computer Science & Informatics.
Distinctive Features
- This course incorporates project-based learning using real-world datasets and problems
- Enjoy access to our dedicated Cyber security and Forensics Laboratory where you can explore the security challenges facing today’s professionals through experiments with genuine attacks in real-world scenarios
- Gain valuable work experience on professional work placements and projects with leading industrial security practitioners
- Some of your modules will be taught in our newly renovated Turing Suite
- You will be provided with a laptop during induction week that will remain with you throughout the duration of the course
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We are committed to investing up to a total of £500,000 in this high-value competitive scholarship scheme to support UK students who are planning to start an eligible Master’s programme in 2024/25.
Each Scholarship is worth £3,000 and will be awarded a tuition fee discount.
Eligibility
UK students are eligible to apply for the Scholarship. You normally need to have achieved at least a 2.1 or equivalent in your first degree to be eligible. You need to submit an application to study at Cardiff University and be made an offer to study before your fee status can be confirmed.
Curriculum
You will study taught modules for a total of 120 credits during the Diploma stage of your degree. All taught modules are worth 20 credits.
The Master’s stage of your degree will be an individual project (worth 60 credits) which you will write up as a dissertation, after the Diploma stage. This project will be carried out during the summer under the supervision of a member of the academic staff.
This is a full-time course undertaken over one academic year. It is also available as a part-time course taken over three years.
Core Modules for Year One
- Cyber Security and Risk Management
- Penetration Testing and Malware Analysis
- Computer and Network Forensics
- Cybersecurity Operations
- Business Continuity and Transformation
- Developing Secure Systems and Applications
- Dissertation
How will I be Assessed?
Modules will be assessed either by coursework, examination, or a combination of both.
Program Outcome
What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Knowledge of risk assessment, secure application development, network security, malware analysis, vulnerability assessment, cyber security operations, digital forensics and business continuity
- Understanding of carrying out risk assessments and developing security policies – including technical security configurations, human factors affecting security policy, forensic responses and security monitoring
- Understanding of the cybersecurity landscape and professional roles within cybersecurity
Intellectual Skills
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Critical assessment of an unseen environment for security vulnerabilities, evaluate the security landscape and select appropriate solutions and methods to present the case for a suitable cybersecurity solution
- Initiative and personal responsibility in decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
- Analytical and systematic methods for dealing with complex issues; sound judgement-making in the absence of complete data
Professional Practical Skills
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Hands-on experience in applying security methods (e.g. risk assessment standards) and the fundamental concepts behind security tools (e.g. forensic toolkits and security operations centres)
Transferable/Key Skills
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and practical means to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Effective working in a team and as an individual
- The ability to apply logical and analytic thinking to problems
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates are well prepared for a career in industrial, commercial, or governmental organisations with particular responsibility for information, network and process security.
Career destinations include: information security manager, risk manager, technical security roles in computer forensics, identity management roles, secure systems developer, and industrial and university research.
Program delivery
How will I be Taught?
The School of Computer Science and Informatics has a strong and active research culture which informs and directs our teaching. We are committed to providing teaching of the highest standard.
Modules are delivered through a series of either full or half-day contact sessions, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and laboratory classes. We regularly invite guest lecturers from the industry and we pride ourselves on our hands-on experiences in practical cybersecurity
Most of your taught modules will have further information for you to study and you will be expected to work through this in your own time according to the guidance provided by the lecturer for that module.