Cyber Security (Masters) | University of Bedfordshire

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Why choose the School of Computer Science and Technology

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100% of our Construction and Engineering students are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2023)

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council UK, our BSC Electronic Engineering fully meets the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer

Our Cybersecurity courses received 100% positive ratings when it came to teaching staff being good at explaining things, and for the course developing knowledge and skills for the future (NSS, 2023)

About the course

This MSc introduces you to the complexity and challenges associated with cybersecurity in a highly dynamic threat landscape. It also gives you the skills to be an effective cybersecurity professional in a rapidly growing field.

On this cutting-edge course you learn the management and hands-on skills needed by cybersecurity professionals across a wide range of areas including programming databases and computer networking. Areas of study include cyber defence; information governance and compliance; and tactical and strategic cybersecurity management. You also complete an MSc Cybersecurity final project in an area of interest.

The course is delivered by a dedicated team of cybersecurity experts and active researchers in the field.

Why choose this course?

The course is offered via block delivery with six entry points through the academic year so you can start when it most suits you
Take certain units as dedicated credit-based short courses outside the normal MSc route
Study in our modern STEM building with staff active in networking and security research
Benefit from using the latest specialised computing facilities and equipment including virtualised environments and a dedicated security and forensic analysis lab
Experience interactive sessions and demonstrations delivered by teaching staff and guest speakers
This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) the Chartered Institute for IT

Find out more about financial support available

Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour

Dr Ali Mansour is a Senior Lecturer in Computing and Information Systems at the University of Bedfordshire. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), a BCS Chartered IT Professional (CITP), an Engineering Council Chartered Engineer (CEng), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Ali runs the Cybersecurity Club@UoB via BREO and an advocate for the integration of professional industry certification content into academic degrees as the case with the various Cisco and CompTIA courses at UG and PG levels. His research interests are in Cybersecurity, Educational technologies, and Medical informatics.

Find out more about Dr Ali Mansour

Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour

Find out more about Dr Ali Mansour

Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour

Find out more about Dr Ali Mansour

Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour

Find out more about Dr Ali Mansour

Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour

Find out more about Dr Ali Mansour

Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour

Find out more about Dr Ali Mansour

What will you study?

Tactical And Strategic Cybersecurity Management (Ptbm)

Effective cyber security management is more than static controls deployed within the network perimeter to protect against adaptive threats. This unit presents the key domains within cyber security management from a strategic and tactical perspective within an organisational context regardless of its size or the industry and sector. The unit introduces optimised IT operations using an effective information security program as an enabler to critical business functions and core standards, processes and procedures as essential components of any cyber security strategy. This unit provides a comprehensive understanding in people, infrastructure and technology and the dynamic and conflicting security attributes governing their interactions.

Cyber Defence (Ptbm)

Cyber threat intelligence has become one of the biggest business priorities in an attempt to deal with dynamic attack vectors while still rely on static controls and measures. It is a systematic approach to help an organisation better articulate, manage and change risk outcomes and improve the effectiveness of cyber defence. This unit seeks to address the core principles, methods, tools and products available used in information gathering and analytics so as to aid decision making with the aim of preventing cyber-attacks or decreasing the time taken to discover them. The unit guides the students through the fundamentals of building and evaluate a successful threat intelligence programme with a focus on all strategic, tactical and operational aspects of it. An overview of network security mechanisms, tools and techniques is also included to better articulate state-of-the-art approaches in informed cyber defence.

Information Governance And Compliance (Ptbm)

The unit seeks to address the discipline of Information Governance and Compliance and its associated theories, practices, and principles that govern any modern information system in alignment with multi-disciplinary structures, processes, and procedures. Particular focus is given to the frameworks, standards, and strategies for managing an organisation’s information assets with all the underpinned legal and regulatory requirements that need to be fulfilled.

Research Methodologies And Project Management

This unit introduces students to research and the methodologies used to underpin scientific work, data analysis, hypotheses establishment and artefact validation in understanding research in an appropriate subject discipline. The material in this unit is carefully designed to meet students’ needs and requirements for their programme of study along with essential project management skills to support their research activities. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of tools, techniques, methodologies and processes in the field of project management which encapsulate both modern and traditional approaches as an essential preparation for the dissertation stage. The unit also draws on expertise from other departments within the university including library services, the careers and employability service and the English language centre to support students in the best possible way.

Msc Project - Cyber Security

The project unit is essential for you to use and develop comprehensive skills and knowledge gained from other units and from your wider educational and working background in a major integrative exercise. While working creatively under the appropriate guidance of a member of staff, you will generate an idea and demonstrate your ability to develop it further, producing a suitable artefact by applying your technical, analytical, practical and managerial skills in an integrated manner. You are required to emphasise on a topic which sufficiently reflects on the course you are studying.
The project unit is aiming at your ability to demonstrate that you have the appropriate level of intellectual skills (ability to synthesise, criticise, develop and integrate material that you have met in the taught units); to identify problems, analyse situations and develop solutions; to develop your project management skills to schedule your time and work and to schedule resources under supervision; to carry out and present in an organised way a substantial body of original work.

How will you be assessed?

The assessment strategy used is predominantly written assessments with only two (2) formal invigilated examinations throughout the course. The method used will depend on the nature of the subject matter being taught in each of the units where the most appropriate method is chosen and analysed (See UIFs). Students will also have the opportunity to engage into formative assessment throughout the course especially during exercises in the practical sessions where feedback on progress and performance will be given by their tutors for each of the tasks allocated.

The assessment strategy for this course is designed around a holistic evaluation on knowledge and skills acquired with strong emphasis on the requirements for this mode of delivery and diverse skills background and expectations of the target audience. All assessments used in the course are in perfect alignment with University requirements regulations and policies. Coursework assignments typically incorporate formative feedback so that students can gain an insight into whether their work is meeting the necessary thresholds and focus on meaningful remarks to improve both their performance and understanding in the subject matter. The assessment strategy has been designed with strong influence by the requirements and needs of the audience in PT mode of delivery for this course.

Careers

On completing this course you are likely to progress into a career in the following areas: security associate; security analyst; information security and risk practitioner; penetration tester; security architect; intrusion analyst; DR/BCP manager; or security auditor.

As a graduate of this course you will also have the opportunity for further study at MSc by Research or PhD level.

Entry Requirements

2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area

Entry Requirements

2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area

Entry Requirements

2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area

Entry Requirements

2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area

Entry Requirements

2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area

Entry Requirements

Fees for this course

UK 2024/25

The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk