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.

If you are a graduate looking to further strengthen their skill set and knowledge or employed and looking to improve your career prospects or upskill. 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 best to deal with them.

Through a range of learning experiences, you will gain the knowledge of how to keep computer systems free of interference by testing and evaluating them for vulnerabilities and forensically examining the evidential data they provide, to find solutions to real-life problems.

The 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. USW has been named Cyber University of the Year for four consecutive years at the National Cyber Awards, and we are one of only 8 Universities in the UK to be awarded Gold by the National Cyber Security Centre as an Academic Centre of Excellence.

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 transferable skills valued by employers in both the public and private sectors. You will also benefit from being taught by staff who are at the forefront of their subject area.

Cyber University of the Year For Three Years Running

T&C's Apply - Learn more

Accredited by

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2024
2025

Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Full-time	1 Year	February	Newport City	C
Full-time	1 Year	September	Newport City	C
Part-time	2 Years	September	Newport City	C

Study Mode 2025	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Full-time	1 Year	February	Newport City	C
Full-time	1 Year	September	Newport City	C
Part-time	2 Years	September	Newport City	C

You will study the following modules:

Advanced Security Techniques and Concepts - 20 credits
Applied Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security- 20 credits
Advanced Digital Forensic Techniques - 20 credits
Security Management and Incident Response - 20 credits
Legislation, Risk and Governance in Cyber Security - 20 credits
Mobile Device Forensics - 20 credits
MSc Dissertation - 60 credits

Teaching

We offer cutting edge facilities which means you will be learning in specialist Cyber Security labs. Practical learning will also be undertaken in our Digital Forensics lab, which is a computer forensic facility, typical of those used by law enforcement agencies to analyse digital files and media for use as evidence in legal proceedings. You'll also study in our Secure Operations Centre (SOC). which has been designed to emulate the workplace and we are one of only a few Universities to offer this industry standard facility.

This ‘workplace learning environment’ emulates what it's like to work in cyber security. As such it differs from traditional lecture driven learning. Given this nature of the degree, there are no formal time restricted exams and assessments are a mix of academic evidence-based research and practical project-based assessments

Assessment

You will need to spend a significant amount of time working independently, reading and preparing for assessments. While the style of coursework may vary, research-style papers or essays of around 4,000 words in length are typical. You will also work on a significant research project and a major project of your choice, where strong independent thinking, critical analysis and project management skills will be important.

Accreditations

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

Facilities

Lecturers

Sharan Johnstone, Academic Subject Manager, National Cyber Security Academy.
Rachael Medhurst, Course Leader
Elaine Haigh, Lecturer Cyber Security and Forensics
Joshua Richards, Lecturer Cyber Security and Forensics

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

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.

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.

Find out more about what entry requirements we ask for from your country or region by visiting our international.

Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.

August 2023 - July 2024 Fees

Full-time UK: £9500
Full-time International: £15100

August 2024 - July 2025 Fees

Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
Part-time UK: TBC

August 2025 - July 2026 Fees

Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
Part-time UK: TBC

Student Perks

At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.

Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.

Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.

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.

Funding

Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs

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).

To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.

USW Postgraduate 20% Alumni Discount 2023/24

The University of South Wales is offering a 20% reduction in tuition fees for all University of South Wales* graduates starting a taught/online*** MA,MSc, LLM,MBA or DBA course from September 2023 (this includes students starting a course in January/February 2024). T's and Cs apply. Click here for more details and eligibility criteria: USW Postgraduate Alumni Discount 2023/24

All students

Apply directly to the University for the Cyber Security course.

Admissions statement

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 and network security consultants. Graduates could also consider a computing research degree or computing PhD.

Our Careers and Employability Service

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 Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

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.