Course Summary

Whether investigating crime, protecting government or business from the threat of cyber attack or ensuring businesses and organisations operate computer systems in a secure and safe environment, few subjects are developing and evolving as quickly as the area of computer security and forensics. This Master Degree recognises this and provides you with a broad overview of computer security as well as technical knowledge in key areas. These include emerging technologies (ensuring you remain at the forefront of the subject's evolution) and subjects such as cryptography and cryptanalysis, advanced security countermeasures and digital forensics.

In addition to gaining hands-on, technical expertise, you will focus on research methodologies and examine aspects such as ethical hacking and legal issues. You will also be given the opportunity to enhance your 'soft' employable skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving.

You will have access to our state-of-the-art purpose designed facilities which enjoy 450 workstations, five servers, dedicated network and robotics labs. During an accreditation visit in 2009, the British Computer Society rated our facilities as being among the top 25 per cent in the country.

The Computer Security and Forensics lab contains 2D and 3D face recognition, iris scanners, palm geometry, palm-vein readers, fingerprint recognition and signature recognition equipment.

Why choose this course?

Upon completion of this course you will be prepared for both the securing and forensic investigation of computer networks. The practical skills you will gain during the course are much sought after in the business world making you very employable. Career opportunities include specialist consultancy, practitioner or manager in the area of computer forensics investigation and secure computer systems management. You may also continue your studies with further research.

During the course you will:

• Gain access to industry standard and state-of-the-art computer security equipment and forensics tools such as 3D face scanners, palm readers and iris scanners
• Develop your practical skills in our dedicated computer security and forensics lab
• Enjoy visits to computer forensics organisations such as 7Safe and attend demonstrations and invited talks by hardware companies
• Be given the opportunity to use FRED (Forensic Recovery of Evidence Device) used by the Metropolitan police

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Computer security
• Forensics data acquisition
• Emerging technologies
• Professional project management
• Advanced security countermeasures
• Networking administration and management
• Digital forensics
• Cryptography and cryptanalysis

MSXFS

Assessment

The assessment strategy used in balance of written reports, exams, case studies, practical assignments and in some cases computer based assessment. Each assessment method will depend o the contents for each unit and it will reflect the way the content can be adequately assessed.

Coursework assignments have incorporated formative feedback (as part of our Risk Strategy initiative) so that you can gain an insight into whether your work is meeting the necessary targets.

You must have passed 105 credits before undertaking the MSc project.

Educational Aims

The educational aims of this course are as follows:

• To develop your critical understanding of the security methodologies and techniques used by computer security and forensic experts


• To develop your ability to put into practice, and apply, the underpinning theory with respect to a wide range of challenging contexts


• To develop your understanding of the relevant professional codes and conduct expected of forensic investigators including but not limited to British Computing Society code of ethics

Student support

You will have continuous access to both Faculty and University-wide learning and support facilities during your studies. A mentor is assigned to you and you are encouraged to discuss with them any issue, concern or problem and full support will be given throughout the course. You are required to consult with their mentor (personal tutor) at least twice a year.

The University provides individualised support in the form of counselling as well as a generic learning support via Student Services. Access to the Universitys central Disability Advice Service is provided upon demand, together with a CIS Departmental disabilities liaison post that has specialist subject knowledge.

The Learning Resource Centre provides a wide range of state of the art learning material in order to further support necessary to complete your studies. This includes provision of IEEE, BCS, IET journals and e-books that directly support this course.

Specialised equipment and dedicated classrooms for MSc students are fully utilized to the needs of the course. Students following this specialised award are supported directly by a number of specialist laboratories that have been recently funded by forensic commercial bodies. I addition, to this specialist provision students have continuous access including out of hours and weekends to CIS computing laboratories. The department has centralised timetable access to large lecture theatres, seminar rooms across the campus.

Students are required to undergo a diagnostic test validating their academic English language abilities, and may further be required, at the Course Leaders discretion, to participate in academic English support workshops or classes laid on by the University.

Team working

Various units support group work and assignments as a part to enhance communication and co-operation skills between the students. You will be required to work as a member of a group managing time and expertise levels to complete a task. This will give the opportunity to synthesise and test the teamwork skills required to work within a highly dynamic and demanding environment.

Career Management Skills

Throughout the course we develop your ability to reflect on your performance, and to develop teamwork, written and oral communication.

Career/Further study opportunities

Graduates can work in a variety of security positions including:

• Security associates


• Security consultants


• Penetration testers


• Network security analysts


• Systems Administrators

Further study:

Successful graduates may pursue an MRes by Research or an MPhil / PhD degree.

Entry

Standard:

A good UK honours degree in Computer Science or a computing related subject.

Additional:

Those applicants without a first degree may be granted entry on the basis of their industrial work experience. Such work experience should total five or more years, and be relevant to the degree.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Professional, Statuatory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

Access to the Universitys central Disability Advice Service is provided upon demand, together with a CIS Departmental disabilities liaison post that has specialist subject knowledge. This service provides informal counselling as well as specialist diagnostic facilities that can identify a range of cognitive / physical and psychomotor disabilities. Once a student declares a disability to the unit or is referred to the unit a number of remedial actions can be provided throughout that course so as to support their learning. Thus, there do not appear to be any educational barriers to students with disabilities.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Be given access to a variety of tasks that will develop your oral and written communication skills. As part of the tasks a continuous communication with stuff and fellow students is required and formative feedback will be provided on both individual and group basis.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

Enhance your understanding and skills to security implications, methods and strategies as well as appreciate the forensic tools and frameworks. The specialized units will give the background for new skills to be developed as part of the learning process throughout this course.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Develop your ability to work as independent researchers and enhancing your reflective skills. The tasks are structured in such a way that secondary research is required providing the time to evaluate the knowledge articulated by the candidates.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

A significant piece of work which requires analytical and problem solving skills as part of the course is undertaken (MSc thesis). This will provide or the necessary background for practicing and developing research skills and help students to critically evaluate their own work.

Improving learning and performance

The course has specialized units that includes hand on experience and practice with real life scenarios. Feedback is given throughout the whole stages of the learning process for each unit individually and students are encouraged to actively participate in this process. This feedback will allow students to address the problematic areas regarding their understanding on a subject given and stuff to adapt their teaching accordingly.

Progress files

You will be required to keep an e-portfolio that shows your development (both academic and personal) that can be used to show employers how your studies have allowed you to develop your personal and professional skills, as well as the knowledge that you have gained.

Professional standards

You will be expected to develop not only your academic skills, but also your soft skills (teamwork, oral and written communication, inter-personal skills etc.). As such we expect you to adhere to the British Computer Society's Code of Conduct and Code of Practice which details what is expected (from a professional perspective) of an IT professional.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Throughout the course we will embed aspects of professionalism (ethics, professional conduct etc.) into the different units. The two most telling examples are the Professional Project Management unit (CIS011-6) and the MSc dissertation. These two units provide an excellent opportunity for you to develop your professional skills by engaging in professional tasks (e.g. managing your own projects, and working as part of a team).