Cyber Security MSc MSc MSc

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Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

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Join the fight against malicious programs and cybercrime on our Computer Science (Cyber Security) MSc. We will give you the skills you need to become a cyber security and digital forensics professional – intercepting, collecting, analysing and reporting the events in cyberspace and digital media.

Put yourself on the cyber security front line with Staffordshire University. We have specialised computer laboratories, isolated from university networks, to give you vital experience in the most current security threats - and more importantly, how to protect against and neutralise them.

With us, you will gain advanced knowledge and skills in the theories, principles, practices and technologies of cyber security and digital forensics. Our research-driven and industry-connected academic staff also aim to enrich you in the different ethical and lawful issues, to make you readily employable after graduation.

Our course is focused around recent advances and developments as well as employer-needs and covers the notion of software weaponisation, and the tools and technologies in discovering the cybercrime.

If you choose to leave before completing the full 180 credit MSc course, you are entitled to a lower award if you have achieved pass grades for the necessary credits. This would be 60 taught module credits for a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) or 120 taught module credits for a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip).

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Cyber Security

Duration

University of Staffordshire postgraduate courses are usually 1 academic year duration when studying full-time and 2-3 academic years duration for part-time.

Course content

Our course will provide you with not only a thorough understanding of the tool and techniques involved in cyber security and digital forensics, but the opportunity to specialise in certain branches in each stage of the course.

Modules will give you a rounded knowledge of cyber security, cybercrime analysis, penetration testing, mobile forensics, and digital forensics, ready for you to complete your final dissertation.

The MSc dissertation is your final project and your chance to specialise in whatever field of cyber security you choose. This will be supervised by one of our industry-expert academics and is a chance to showcase your knowledge, and provide you with a springboard to launch yourself into a cyber security career.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Digital Forensics	20 credits
Dissertation	60 credits
Machine Learning In Cyber	20 credits
Operating Systems And Network Security	20 credits
Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking	20 credits
Quantum Computing And Cryptography	20 credits
Research Methods And Dissertation Proposal	20 credits

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Machine Learning In Cyber (Dl)	20 credits
Operating Systems And Network Security (Dl)	20 credits
Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking (Dl)	20 credits
Research Methods And Dissertation Proposal (Dl)	20 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Digital Forensics (Dl)	20 credits
Dissertation (Dl)	60 credits
Quantum Computing And Cryptography (Dl)	20 credits

Entry requirements

An undergraduate honours degree (grade 2.2 or above in a related computing discipline from a UK University or the international equivalent).

If you do not meet the above but have significant appropriate experience, your application will be considered, provided that you satisfy the University that you are capable of responding to the challenge of postgraduate work.

If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you are fluent enough to cope with the course. A minimum score of IELTS 6 or TOEFL 550 (213 computer-based) is normally required.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

Facilities

Data Analytics Tools

Get access to software including Oracle and SQL Server, and NoSQL data stores such as MongoDB. You'll also have physical and virtual environments to develop practical skills.

Networking Labs

The networking labs consist of three fully equipped Cisco labs with around 340 devices, plus a Juniper set-up which can be incorporated into courses. Read more

Find out more about our networking facilities.

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Careers

After completing the Computer Science (Cyber Security) MSc, you’ll be equipped to work in the following roles:

Security engineer
Security analyst
Security administrator
Digital Forensic Investigator
Security specialist
Security consultant

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that everyone learns differently. So, not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you will:

Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
Be expected to study independently

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.

You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module. These could include essays, exams, or portfolios.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments which will vary depending on your module studied.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

Reading journals, articles and books
Working on projects, alone or in a group
Researching in the library
Preparing coursework
Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

Staff

You'll be taught by staff who have a range of academic and industry experience.

Dr Ange ALY

Senior Lecturer

Dr Ange Aly is leading the MSc cyber security award as well as an active researcher in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Her main area of interest is the application of Physics-informed Machine Learning to Forensic and Cyber Security.

Ange's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MSc-Full-time, September start
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Full-time	£10,609 per course	£16,750 per course

Tuition fees for MSc-Full-time, September start
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Part-time	£10,575 per course	£10,575 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:
Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all laboratories, workshops and specialist facilities relating to the course of study. Heavily discounted tuition fees during the (optional) placement year. Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all laboratories, workshops and specialist facilities relating to the course of study. Heavily discounted tuition fees during the (optional) placement year. Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all laboratories, workshops and specialist facilities relating to the course of study. Heavily discounted tuition fees during the (optional) placement year.

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. Dependent on a student’s choice of final year project, some additional costs may be incurred for materials to support the development and delivery of the project. You are expected to have access to an appropriate PC/Laptop with admin rights so that you can install software in order to complete this course. The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. Dependent on a student’s choice of final year project, some additional costs may be incurred for materials to support the development and delivery of the project. You are expected to have access to an appropriate PC/Laptop with admin rights so that you can install software in order to complete this course. The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. Dependent on a student’s choice of final year project, some additional costs may be incurred for materials to support the development and delivery of the project. You are expected to have access to an appropriate PC/Laptop with admin rights so that you can install software in order to complete this course.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Our students

The staff are really friendly and helpful – and will always help to guide you in your learning.

Genuinely, the facilities and teaching material on the course is incredible. When we could get into the labs, it was fascinating. There is a wealth of equipment to suit any field of interest. The staff are really friendly and helpful – and will always help to guide you in your learning, encouraging development and helping to direct students to obtain knowledge themselves, rather than spoon-feeding.

It is a testament to the staff, facilities and the University that a student who came to the course not knowing that Linux was, has in the space of 12 months now developed an entirely new software tool from the code up, and has built a physical extraction prototype to go with it!

Chris Hawkins

MSc Computer Science (Cyber Security)

I liked the fact that most (if not all) of the assessments had a practical element to them.

The MSc itself was brilliant. I delved into areas of Cyber Security that I wouldn't have otherwise explored. I learnt a lot during the course I really liked the practical nature of the course.

I liked the fact that most (if not all) of the assessments had a practical element to them, that I felt was geared towards real world scenarios well - I think in this regard the course does a great job of preparing someone or enhancing someone’s prospects in the workplace and I will definitely recommend the course. 

Matthew Jones

MSc Cyber Security

Apply

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Full-time, September start	22 September 2025	Apply now

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Full-time, January start	26 January 2026	Apply now

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Part-time, distance learning	22 September 2025	Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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