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Institution code:
S82
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Location:
Ipswich
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Duration:
One year full-time. Two years part-time. September start. |
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Typical Offer:
Qualifications and management experience will be considered on an individual basis. Please see Entry Requirements below. |
* Subject to validation
As a graduate of our exciting MSc Applied Cyber Security course, you will be equipped with both the technical and strategic business skills required to build an exciting career in cyber security, at all levels.
Introduction
What is a Conversion Masters Course?
A conversion course is a programme of study that trains a graduate in a new subject and prepares them for a specific profession. In the case of our MSc Applied Cyber Security, we'll give you the tools and knowledge needed for a successful career in the cyber security field. Whether you have recently graduated with a non-computing degree or have experience working in industry and are looking to retrain, our conversion MSc in Applied Cyber Security will cover a range of cyber security topics essential to any organisation of the 21st Century.
This degree is not designed for those with previous qualifications in computing. Instead, please view our MSc in Advanced Computing.
MSc Applied Cyber Security
In the 2022 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study, nearly 12,000 cybersecurity professionals worldwide were surveyed, and a global cybersecurity workforce gap of 3.4 million people was identified. The employment market for cyber security professionals has never been stronger. As a graduate of our exciting MSc in Applied Security course, you will be equipped with both the technical and strategic business skills required to build an exciting career in cyber security, at all levels. Cyber security is a multi-disciplined field, incorporating elements of technology, psychology, business strategy and information management, and you will be exposed to all of these areas of study. The depth of study will also prepare you for further academic research if you so wish, making this course ideal for graduates from any discipline, or those with equivalent work experience, to enhance their career prospects or even facilitate an entire career change.
Course modules
Full downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.
This module provides the essential aspects of computer science that are required to support subsequent study in cyber security – for example the basics of system and software design and development, file systems and operating systems, essential programming and fundamental mathematics required for cryptography.
The basic elements of cyber security are covered here – from relevant terminology to common areas of study, tools and techniques, including an introduction to cryptography. Case studies will be utilised to illustrate concepts.
Cyber Security is not just about technology – organisations have objectives and strategies that require security governance, policies and controls which align with those objectives. This module covers standards, legislation and governance tools that provide a risk-based approach to cyber security at an organisational level and discusses issues of privacy
It is often said that humans are the weakest link in any system – Social Engineering techniques aim to exploit this, but from an ethical perspective the strategies can be used for defence purposes as well. OSINT covers tools and techniques for gathering intelligence that is publicly available, when investigating for example potential human rights abuses, deepfakes and fake news. Penetration testing is the ethical side of ‘hacking’ - the same techniques are used to test defences and recommend mitigations, and you will gain practical experience of doing this.
This module covers the essentials of the forensic analysis of computer systems, including legal and procedural requirements, practical investigation of sample machine images, and essential malware analysis techniques such as static, dynamic and more advanced topics.
Focuses on the low-level aspects of security, examining network essentials and protocols, with a focus on defence techniques such as firewalls, encryption and secure network design.
Running throughout the course, this module provides instruction on the essentials of Research Skills that are needed to propose and develop an Extended Project, resulting in an in-depth dissertation study.
Career opportunities
Every industry sector that makes use of technology for their business will need cyber security expertise. The content of this course will provide you both with the necessary skills to join a dedicated cyber security team, or alternatively to be part of a software development team where you could be the local security expert, guiding the development and maintenance of systems and software with a strong focus on security requirements. Local potential employment opportunities include BT, MSC, Gallagher Insurance and Willis Towers Watson, and there are many opportunities in the wider sectors based in London, which is a short commute. The skills you will acquire on this degree are truly international in nature, and you will be well equipped to work anywhere across the globe.
Fees and finance
2023-24
- UK full-time tuition fee: £9,495 p.a
- UK part-time tuition fee: £1,055 per 20 credits (please contact the Student Centre for further information)
- International full-time tuition fee: £14,607 p.a
Further Information
- 25% discount with our Alumni Postgraduate Loyalty Scheme
- UK Fees, Finance and Support
- International Fees and Scholarships
At the University of Suffolk, your tuition fees provide access to all the usual teaching and learning facilities that you would expect. However, there may be additional costs associated with you course that you will need to budget for.
Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or higher, or equivalent industrial experience.
Applicants may be expected to attend an interview as part of the application process.
If you are an international student, click here to find the academic requirements for your country.
IELTS 6.5 overall is required where English is not the students first language. You can read more about our English language requirements here.
If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.
Staff
Facilities and Resources
Module sessions will be a mixture of lectures and practicals, with teaching split across the University of Suffolk campus and the multi-million-pound DigiTech Centre at Adastral Park, DigiTech provides state of-the-art technical facilities in a dedicated Cyber Suite, allowing students to hone their practical cyber security skills in a completely safe environment.
