MSc Applied Cyber Security with Professional Internship
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 Jun 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 25,800 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee
Key Summary
Introduction
The world’s online security depends on you. Step up to the plate with this fascinating Master’s course, taught by experts at one of the world’s leading cyber security hubs.
This innovative programme is at the forefront of technical advances in cutting-edge cyber security topics such as cryptography, computer forensics, malware, networking, software development, as well as investigating the increasingly important legal and ethical issues in cyber security.
This is an applied course, that mixes theoretical skills with practical work in the lab to give you hands-on experience.
The MSc Applied Cyber Security with Professional Internship is a two-year programme. The first year comprises taught modules and a research project. The second year comprises an internship of up to 12 months in the industry in a cybersecurity-related role. To progress to an internship in the second year students must secure an internship before the end of the first year. Students must also pass all modules before beginning an internship.
Applicants should be aware that students must be proactive in applying to appropriate companies to have the best chance of securing an internship. Internships are not offered by the university. This is a competitive recruitment exercise outside the control of the university, and some students may not be successful. Students who are unable to secure an internship will transfer to the 1-year MSc Applied Cyber Security and graduate after one year.
Please note:
Applications for this course received after 30th June 2022 may not be accepted. In addition, a deposit will be required to secure a place.
Applied Cyber Security With Professional Internship Highlights
Our MSc is one of an elite number of UK master's degrees in cyber security to achieve GCHQ/NCSC Certification.
Professional Accreditations
- Fully certified by GCHQ/NCSC
World-Class Facilities
- The syllabus, teaching materials and labs are informed by the world-class research being undertaken at the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen's University Belfast. In addition to GCHQ/NCSC Master’s certification, CSIT itself is also certified as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by GCHQ/NCSC.
Career Opportunities
In keeping with the aims of GCHQ/NCSC certified Master’s courses, this programme is intended to provide:
- a deeper understanding of cyber security concepts, principles, technologies and practices.
- a bridge between undergraduate degrees and careers in cyber security.
- a platform for further research at the Doctoral level.
- an effective way for people in mid-career to enhance their knowledge of the subject or to move into cyber security as a change of career path.
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while our innovative MSc Applied Cyber Security program integrates a range of unique and exciting opportunities to interact and engage with business and research leaders in cyber security, ensuring we help our students to gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports, and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognized by a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Gallery
Curriculum
Course Structure
The course comprises seven taught modules and a research project and provides a broad foundation in cyber security.
The MSc in Applied Cyber Security is available in a full-time or a part-time option.
Full-time (1-year): Consists of seven taught modules (120 CATS points) and a 3-4 month practical project of a research nature (60 CATS). Students study seven taught modules (120 CATS). They will also commence an individual research project (60 CATS).
Part-time (2+ years): Part-time students are normally enrolled for two years. The first year will normally compromise four taught modules (60 CATS), and the second year normally comprises three taught modules (60 CATS) plus an individual research project (60 CATS).
Higher Level Apprenticeships based on part-time study are also available.
The individual Research Project focuses on applying taught skills to a leading-edge issue in cyber security research. A dissertation is required for the project. Following tutor approval, the project may be undertaken as a summer placement at a company.
Modules are regularly updated to reflect new developments in the dynamic field of cyber security. Modules offered may be subject to change
Full-Time/Part-Time
The MSc in Applied Cyber Security with Professional Internship is only available in a full-time option.
Students study all taught modules (120 CATS points) up to the end of the Semester 2 exam period. They will also commence an individual research project (60 CATS points) and continue this through to month 12.
Pending satisfactory completion of taught modules, students will normally commence their Professional Internship sometime in September for a period of up to 12 months. The exact time of commencement may depend upon the internship procedures of the host company.
Learning and Teaching
The course mixes lectures with practical, hands-on learning sessions. You will learn in a sandbox environment where you can experiment and make mistakes, enabling you to put your new skills into practice in hands-on cyber challenges.
You’ll meet our researchers and learn how they apply the cutting-edge research being developed here to cybersecurity technologies.
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
- Research project dissertation
Assessment criteria are linked to the learning outcomes for each module. A range of assessment instruments is used including laboratory-based assignments, individual projects, and practical exams.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Master's courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment, and application information are available on the UK government website.
International Scholarships