PG Dip Cyber Security
Online, United Kingdom
Postgraduate Diploma
DURATION
16 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 8,804 / per course *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* £8,804 UK / £9,256 International (2026-27)
Key Summary
About: This PG Dip Cyber Security is a 100% online, part-time conversion programme for graduates without cybersecurity backgrounds. You’ll learn to implement and manage cyber defences, study technical, commercial and human factors, and use an online development environment with included programming languages. Teaching and assessments run through a 24/7 virtual learning environment (VLE), with continuous assessment, rapid feedback and student support.
Career Outcomes: You’ll be an attractive candidate for roles such as Software Developer, Risk Analyst, Threat Manager, Secure Systems Designer/Programmer, Information Systems Administrator, Forensic Analyst, and you can progress onto the MSc Cyber Security to advance technical careers globally.
Businesses are increasingly becoming more reliant on technology to operate. Accordingly, there is a huge demand for cybersecurity professionals with knowledge of cyber threats and solutions. This 100% online and part-time conversion course is designed for individuals who don’t have a cybersecurity background but want to pursue a career in this exciting field.
Through this online PG Dip Cyber Security, you will develop your ability to implement and manage cyber defences. You will consider technical approaches as well as commercial and human factors that affect how organisations respond to cyber-attacks. Developing these technical skills and knowledge will prepare you to successfully start your cybersecurity career. At the end of the course, you will be able to continue your studies and advance onto the full Master's programme.
Teaching methods
We’re a 100% online education provider, so we use a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE) to deliver our teaching, resources and assessments. Our system tracks and manages the learning process in real-time and provides you with immediate access to your learning materials. The VLE is accessible 24/7 and allows both students and tutors to actively take part in real-time conversations and live seminars.
For our PG Dip Cyber Security, there’s no need to download different software packages – all programming languages are included within the tuition fee and all work is carried out in an online development environment.
We believe you get the most out of your time spent studying when you are kept informed of your performance, and we achieve this by:
- assessing you throughout modules rather than waiting for the end of year assessments
- showing your marks in your grade book which can be viewed whenever you log onto the virtual learning environment (VLE)
- rapid turnaround on work assessed to ensure your grade book is always up to date
- ensuring you have regular contact with your Student Support team
Assessment methods
All assessments are delivered through our virtual learning environment (VLE). There is no requirement to travel to external test centres or to sit exams! Instead, you will submit assignments through the VLE, such as written reports, discussion forum participation or reflective journal entries.
We also have a policy of ensuring that the work submitted by students is authentic – we use a well-established electronic monitoring system to check for plagiarism.
Why Essex Online?
Study online. Graduate on campus.
You will complete your studies and assessments 100% online and your qualification will be awarded by the University of Essex, an award-winning university with a 60-year heritage of teaching and research excellence and one of the top 30 universities in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025). Upon completing your course, you will graduate with the same certificate as campus-based students – your mode of study is only mentioned on your academic transcript.
World-class academic and mentoring support
Our online tutors are leading authorities and specialists in their respective fields. They are passionate about what they teach and combine their knowledge of industry practice with high-quality academic delivery, offering you an unparalleled learning experience.
We also have a dedicated team of Student Advisers and Study Skills Advisers that will support you from your first day to graduation. They will be on hand to help and guide you as you progress through your studies. Whatever the question or issue, they will work with you to find a solution.
We're proud to be rated Gold in the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Rankings 2024. Our achievement, which is based on four pillars - resources, engagement, outcomes and environment - recognises our commitment to excellent online education.
You can study the following modules on the PG Dip Cyber Security:
- Launch into Computing (20 credits)
- Advanced Object-Oriented Design and Programming (20 credits)
- Network Security (10 credits)
- Principles of Digital Forensics and Cyber Law (20 credits)
- The Human Factor (10 credits)
- Security Risk Management (20 credits)
- Research Methods and Professional Practice (20 credits)
*These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.
- Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies.
- Global scholarship available for international students based overseas in eligible countries.
- 10% corporate discount available when three or more of your employees study with us.
Please note that the corporate discount can’t be used in conjunction with any other discount or scholarship.
Given the increasing need for robust cybersecurity measures and the skills shortage in this area, this course is designed to make you an attractive candidate in this sector. You will be able to succeed in a range of roles such as Software Developer, Risk Analyst, Threat Management, Secure Systems Designer/Programmer, Information Systems Administrator or Forensic Analyst.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to progress onto our MSc Cyber Security.
Teaching methods and style
We’re a 100% online education provider, so we use a state-of-the art virtual learning environment (VLE) to deliver our teaching, resources and assessments. Our system tracks and manages the learning process in real-time and provides you with immediate access to your learning materials. The VLE is accessible 24/7 and allows both students and tutors to actively take part in real-time conversations and live seminars.
For our PG Dip Cyber Security, there’s no need to download different software packages – all programming languages are included within the tuition fee and all work is carried out on an online development environment.
Assessment
All assessments are delivered through our virtual learning environment (VLE). There is no requirement to go to external test centres; instead you will submit written assignments through the VLE. For the few courses where exams are required, we use a virtual system which allows you to take academically rigorous exams from the comfort of your own home.
We believe you get the most out of your time spent studying when you are kept informed of your performance, and we achieve this by:
- assessing you throughout modules rather than waiting for end of year exams
- showing your marks in your grade book which can be viewed whenever you log onto the VLE
- rapid turnaround on work assessed to ensure your grade book is always up to date
- ensuring you have regular contact with your Student Support team
We also have a policy of ensuring that the work submitted by students is authentic – we use a well-established electronic monitoring system to check for plagiarism.