Cybersecurity MSc

Study a fast-growing and exciting subject. Develop the technical and organisational skills to make a difference to society. Graduate and embark on a career as a cybersecurity professional in a flourishing sector.

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Overview

This course is excellent preparation for jobs in cybersecurity, which is a rapidly growing area given the rise in computer-related crime. You’ll study topics such as network security and cybersecurity in organisations, looking at the processes, procedures and protocols required to implement effective secure and dependable systems.

Using the latest forensic analysis tools, you’ll interrogate data and systems, examining applications of cryptography, secure programming and defensive programming, as well as learning how to design a secure and resilient system.

This highly practical course means you’ll have the opportunity to experience the latest technologies and tools used in industry, giving you the confidence to be productive and effective when you go out into the workplace.

Why us?

The course includes practical experience throughout, enabling you to transfer your new skills to industry
The course is 100% coursework-based with no exams

Sunderland boasts the second-fastest growth in digital turnover outside of London, and is the ideal city to study computing and set up a business

Course structure

You’ll be taught by passionate academics who produce internationally-excellent research. A typical week for you will include lectures, group work, research, discussion groups and seminars. Assessment is 100% coursework-based with no exams. Methods include written reports and research papers, practical assignments and the Masters project.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of independent working.

Course modules

Core modules:

Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (30 credits)

Cover a range of governance and management topics which will enable you to determine, establish and maintain appropriate governance, delivery and creation of cybersecurity solutions for information, systems and network security. Understand the underlying technologies of secure systems and gain a critical awareness of the inherent risks and related privacy issues of their use in the cybersecurity environment by applying concepts such as the principles of least privilege, separation of risk, defence in depth and secrecy. Learn to analyse the range of trade-offs in balancing the security properties of confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) and the usability demands of computer and information systems. Learn how to select the appropriate tools and techniques to address and manage concepts of risk, threats, vulnerabilities and potential attacks. Explain, apply and evaluate the concepts of trust and trustworthiness in a cybersecurity context and apply the issues associated with authentication, authorisation and access control.

Technology Management for Organisations (30 credits)

Learn to apply the principles, policies and procedures of cybersecurity and data science to provide resilient and robust organisational solutions for secure and valuable information. Develop techniques and use tools that will enable you to undertake critical analysis of the challenges and opportunities of using cybersecurity to mitigate and manage risk to data and enable business continuity in the case of data breaches. Develop a critical understanding of governance, standards, audit, assurance and review in order to evaluate the challenges in managing technology.

Cyber Resilience and Incident Response (30 credits)

Consider cybersecurity in design and development using the concepts of secure design across a range of platforms and problem areas. Study applied cryptography, secure programming and defensive programming. Gain the knowledge and skills to undertake first-response in cyber breach and associated incidents. Evaluate effective measures for securing evidential content in the wake of an event, technical issues relating to breaches, factors for mitigating risk, the impact this may have on the organisation and those directly affected by breach data loss in a legal context. Acquire the technical knowledge and skills to respond to breaches and implement proactive measures to potentially prevent their occurrence.

Cybersecurity and User Experience Design (30 credits)

Study the two themes of cybersecurity and usability in software design. Learn to understand the trade-offs and challenges these themes present. Research challenges in the areas of usable security through a survey of past and recent research in usable cybersecurity. Examine the nature of usability and the user experience, as it applies to cybersecurity, the impact of user psychology, user models, usage contents and usability evaluation techniques.

Computing Masters Project (60 credits)

Develop a practical deliverable and investigate an area of academic research through the support of a sponsor for example: an IT strategy; an investigative study; a technically challenging artefact (e.g. a feasibility study, design, implementation, re-engineered solution); or undertake a theoretical review based on a novel research question (provided by a research active member of staff). Underpin the project with a literature review that is a conceptual framework of your study - a systematic synthesis of concepts, assumptions, expectations, beliefs, and theories that supports and informs your research.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Facilities

You’ll be based at The David Goldman Technology Centre, on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s; it looks out over the River Wear and is less than a mile from the seaside.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
a Canadian bachelor's degree	GPA 2.40
a USA bachelor's degree	GPA 2.5

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

We require applicants to hold an undergraduate degree with a classification of 2:2 or above in computing or a 2:1 or above in a relevant non-computing discipline, such as mathematics, statistics or engineering.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

2024/25 fees are:

£8,500 if you are from the UK
£11,500 if you are an EU student (this fee is inclusive of an EU student scholarship)
£16,500 if you are an international student

2025/26 fees are:

£9,500 if you are from the UK
£17,000 if you are an international student

If you currently serve (or have recently served) in the Armed Forces, then the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS scheme may be able to help cover your funding for this course.

See the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

A close up of a student's hand moving cables in a server rack

Career ready

There is a high demand for cybersecurity professionals and the UK government is investing £1.9 billion over the next five years in a cybersecurity strategy that will include automatic defences to protect businesses and individuals.

Career opportunities

On completion of this course, you’ll progress in some of the most attractive fields and industries as we prepare you for a range of cybersecurity jobs. Advance your career in a wide range of roles, including: information security manager, security analyst, security architect, security administrator, incident responder, security engineer, security auditor, security software developer and vulnerability assessor.

Strong industry links

The cybersecurity course is underpinned by strong collaboration with employers, and it is further enhanced by the contribution from cybersecurity employers and external experts in a number of ways including a series of guest lectures, master classes and seminars.

Graduates studying Cybersecurity have gone on to secure employment with a range of companies and organisations including: GCHQ, (ISC)2, Accenture, HPE, BT, PWC, SAGE, Sunderland City Council, Northumbria and Durham Police forces and the Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance.

Meet the students

I’m glad I took the chance and applied to do the course, it is a decision I will not regret.

Dom Peace
Through the excellent support and tuition from staff I achieved a 1st class honours degree

Dominic Button

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Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Technology.

Page last updated: 14 November 2024

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.