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MSc

Applied Cyber Security

With the increasing sophistication of threats to the cyber landscape coupled with the rapid increase in attempts to disrupt our critical systems and gain commercial and personal data, there is an ever-increasing demand for high skilled cyber security graduates to defend individuals and organisations from a diverse range of cybercrimes.

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Key Course Details

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Newport

  • Campus Code

    C

Fees

  • Home students

    £10,800*

  • International students

    £16,900*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Newport

  • Campus Code

    C

Fees

  • Home students

    £1,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

The MSc Applied Cyber Security course will equip you with the latest knowledge and understanding of the cyber threats associated with the use of technology in business and how to deal with them. You will cover both the technical and management/governance areas required to operate in the cyber security profession, allowing you to enhance your existing skills and develop a range of key transferrable skills valued by employers in both the public and private sectors.

DESIGNED FOR

This course is designed for individuals that have completed an IT related degree or currently working within the Cyber Security industry and wish to develop skills or transition into the cyber security industry.

Accredited by

  • BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
  • National Cyber Security Centre, a part of GCHQ

Career Paths

  • Law Enforcement
  • IT Security Managers
  • Government Intelligence Agencies
  • Incident Response Analyst
  • Security Analyst

Skills taught

  • Analytical Skills
  • Presentation Skills
  • Legislation
  • Problem Solving
  • Formal Report Writing

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.

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A cyber security student with ginger hair is talking while sat at a desktop computer in a USW computer workshop
A cyber security academic wearing a grey coat and a green lanyard talks to a student off camera while working at a desktop computer with a student in a red puffer jacket and large windows behind themin a cyber security workshop

Course Highlights

Creating Experts

This course is part of the National Cyber Security Academy, which brings the University, Welsh Government, and industry experts together to tackle the skills gap and create experts who can fight against cybercrime.

Outstanding Facilities

Our course uses cutting edge facilities meaning you’ll get the change to use the latest technologies in high-spec laboratories and a Secure Operations Centre (SOC) which are typical of those used by the Cyber Security industry.

Professional Accreditations and Standards of Excellence

This course is fully certified by the National Cyber Security Centre, a part of GCHQ, and also by the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for IT. Cyber Security at USW has been awarded by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre as a Gold Standard Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education.

Cyber University of the Year Winners

Winners of Cyber University of the Year at the National Cyber Awards in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Module Overview

This course equips students with skills and knowledge by using a “workplace” learning environment which emulates what it’s like to work in cyber security, using Cyber labs with up-to-date systems and equipment plus the use of the Secure Operations Centre (SOC). While emulating “workplace” learning, the engagement of industry throughout the course is achieved through guest lectures, industry seminars, project led assignments, etc which aids understanding and development of Cyber skills for all students.

Advanced Security Techniques and Concepts – 20 credits
This module will provide you with detailed technical knowledge of the advanced concepts associated with cyber security attack and defence surfaces.

Applied Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to explore core concepts underpinning applied artificial intelligence in cyber security. The module will cover different AI sub-domains to solve real-world cyber security problems.

Security Management and Incident Response – 20 credits
You will develop advanced skills and critical understanding of complex issues surrounding security management, operations and incident response.

Legislation, Risk and Governance in Cyber Security – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to develop a critical understanding of UK and EU legislation and organisational responsibility in relation to Cyberspace and Information Technology.

Network Security – 20 credits
To evaluate, analyse and synthesise investigative solutions for mobile Device devices.

MSc Dissertation – 60 credits
You will use you computing and research skills to investigate a topical and original award-relevant issue of your choice before producing a justified and informed solution.

Leadership and Transformational Change in the Digital Era - 20 credits

Course Highlights

Teaching staff

  • Peter Eden, Course Leader
  • Dr Mamoun Qasem, Lecturer
  • Joshua Richards, Lecturer
  • Dr Arun Kumar, Lecturer
  • Beth Jenkins, Lecturer

Delivery and assessment

While we offer cutting edge facilities which means you will be learning in specialist Cyber Security labs. Practical learning will be undertaken within “workplace” learning
environments such as the Secure Operations Centre (SOC), this will allow learning emulating a workplace. We are one of only a few Universities to offer this industry standard facility while also collaborating with government, academia, and industry to support learning and development of the cyber sector. As such it differs from traditional lecture driven learning.
Given this nature of this MSc degree, there are no formal time restricted exams and
assessments are a mix of academic evidence-based research and practical project-based assessments.

Placements

Companies currently involved in the cyber security course includes, Bridewell, Royal Mint, RIW (Respiratory Innovation Wales), Tarian RCCU (Regional Cyber Crime Unit), and
PureCyber. These organisations will be involved in the course throughout the academic
year(s).

Facilities

Our facilities are at the cutting edge meaning you’ll use the latest technologies in high-spec labs and a Secure Operations Centre (SOC) typical of those used by the cyber security industry to incorporate “workplace” learning to provide an authentic experience. You can join the course within the National Cyber Security Academy and become part of the next generation of Cyber Security Experts.
We use leading cyber software and include industry engagement within modules while also providing additional networking events to help support your learning. You’ll have amazing opportunities to interact with industry organisations like Splunk, South Wales Police Digital Forensic Unit, Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), Bridewell, PureCyber, and Royal Mint.

Accredited by BCS
Certified by the National Cyber Security Centre

One

of only eight UK Universities to be awarded Gold by the National Cyber Security Centre as an Academic Centre of Excellence.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Career opportunities for those with a cyber security qualification continue to grow with
many roles offering an interesting, challenging and rewarding environment to work in. From implementing security policies and managing protective measures in network systems, to advising organisations on how to reduce risks and their vulnerability, there are a variety of opportunities throughout the computer industry. Typical roles commonly associated with cyber security include information security and risk analysts, IT security managers, digital forensic investigators, and network security consultants. Graduates could also consider a computing research degree or computing PhD.

Possible career paths

  • Law enforcement
  • Security Analyst
  • Government Intelligence Agencies
  • Incident Response Analyst
  • IT Managers

Careers support

As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes one-to-one appointments from faculty-based Career Advisors, in person, over the phone, or even Teams and through email via the “Ask the Question” service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and
presenting yourself well to employers.
Our careers service has dedicated teams. A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Typical qualification requirements:

This course is designed for graduates with a minimum 2:2 Honours degree or equivalent. Entrants should normally be graduates in a computing or related area and have very good IT skills.

The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£10,800

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,900

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,900

per year*
UK Part-time Fee

£1,200

per 20 credits*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Busaries Alumni Discount

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.

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Student Life
University of South Wales Newport Campus.
Newport Campus
A double room at our Pontypridd accommodation featuring a large window.
Accommodation

How to apply

There is an online application process for this course. Please choose the application form for your preferred start date and mode of study (i.e. full-time or part-time).

International admissions

Please see our international admissions advice for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Related Courses

Digital Forensics - MSc Learn more

Next Steps

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