MSc Cyber Security - 100% Online

In the always-connected modern world, it’s become critical for organisations to implement robust cyber defences to protect against attacks. This conversion degree will provide individuals that don’t have a background in IT with the skills to work professionally in cyber security roles.

• Postgraduate Prospectus - > download

This MSc Cyber Security will provide you with an insight into all areas of cyber security, from technical approaches and managerial concerns to legal ramifications and the psychological background to breaches. The course will prepare you to cope with cyber attacks in a measured and decisive way and will also help you to develop essential skills in teamwork and communication. Through the programme, you’ll gain a strong academic foundation which will enable you to unlock a range of careers available to cyber security professionals.

The MSc Cyber Security is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 180 credits.

• Launch into Computing (20 credits)
• Advanced Object-Oriented Design and Programming (20 credits)
• Network Security (10 credits)
• Principles of Digital Forensics and Cyber Law (20 credits)
• The Human Factor (10 credits)
• Security Risk Management (20 credits)
• Research Methods and Professional Practice (20 credits)
• Major Project (60 credits)

Shorter awards are available for this course; the 16-month postgraduate diploma (PG Dip) at 120 credits and the 8-month postgraduate certificate (PG Cert) at 60 credits.

Gaining a postgraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2024 Career and Employability Survey showed:

• Over 80% of postgraduates saw a salary increase
• 3 in 5 postgraduate alumni said their degree helped them gain a promotion
• 2 in 5 students feel ready to make a career change
• 90% of students felt better prepared for their career after studying with us

This conversion degree is designed to provide you with specialist knowledge and transferable skills, enabling you to pursue a career as a cyber security professional.

You’ll learn and be assessed wholly online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), so there’s no need to travel to assessment centres. This means you can easily fit your professional development ambitions around your personal life, with no need to take a career break. Though you’ll study exclusively online, on successful completion of your MSc Cyber Security, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex’s Colchester campus.

At University of Essex Online, we believe everyone should be able to access education. That’s why we offer two different entry routes onto our MSc Cyber Security, which take into account both academic and work-based experience. Our courses are taught in English, so to study with us you must have an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 or equivalent. If you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification, you’ll be required to pass a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

Given the increasing need for robust cyber security measures and the skills shortage in this area, this course is designed to make you an attractive candidate in this sector. You’ll be able to succeed in a range of roles such as Policy Maker, Software Developer, Risk Analyst, Threat Management, Secure Systems Designer/Programmer, Information Systems Administrator or Forensic Analyst.