Ranking
6th
Complete University Guide 2025
Cyber SecurityMSc
- CampusBirmingham (Edgbaston)Delivery formatIn person
- Start dateSeptember/ OctoberDuration1 year full-time
- AwardMaster of Science
- Entry requirementsA 2:1 Honours Degree in a relevant subject
- Fees£13,040 (full-time)
Page contents
Page contents
Course overview
Launch a career in the world of cyber security. Learn how to keep systems safe and help companies worldwide prevent terrorist and criminal cyber attacks.
You'll learn how to design systems able to resist cyber attacks. Gain the skills to deal with current and future cyber security threats. With our course, you'll develop the knowledge for a successful career in industry or research.
The lecturers are stalwarts in their respective fields, with years of industry and teaching experience which makes their lectures exciting, and its easy to grasp the concepts. There is also a wide variety of optional modules on offer, and the mandatory modules consider all the practical and theoretical aspects that come to mind when you think of cyber security.
Teaching is led by our world-leading research group, an academic centre of excellence in Cyber Security research. you'll select modules in cryptography, network security, secure hardware, and secure programming.
You'll undertake modules in cryptography, network security, and secure programming. This Term combines lectures, practical assignments, and guided independent study to build foundational skills in cyber security principles and practices.
Course highlights
Building on your degree, we will equip you with the skills to tackle complex cyber challenges. You'll learn how to design and build secure systems, develop knowledge of cryptography, network security and programming. Shaped by leaders in the world of cyber security, our course will get you ready for roles in a demanding industry. You'll learn from our experts and those key figures who also give guest lectures and supervise projects.
- Benefit from our partnership with The Alan Turing Institute
- Take advantage of our state-of-the-arts facilities
- Network with key individuals from the industry involved in the course
Study our continually updated curriculum and degree programmes that align with industry needs, ensuring you are highly sought after in the global job market.
Recognised as a fully National Cyber Security Centre certified degree
Course delivery
The core components of this course are laboratory work giving you experience using industry-relevant equipment, compulsory taught modules and a summer project.
- Learn through of a series of engaging lectures which demonstrate how experts will approach problems in your field, helping you think critically and apply concepts
- Gain valuable experience by engaging in practical assignments that simulate real-world tasks and cultivate job-ready skills
- Develop critical technical and analytical skills, including experimental design, data collection and analysis, problem-solving, and familiarise yourself with specialised equipment and techniques through laboratory work
Module information
The MSc programme consists of 180 credits. you'll study four 20-credit taught modules, work on a 60-credit project and gain 40 credits from optional modules.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year: 1
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Code | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LM Designing and Managing Secure Systems | 06 34244 | Semester 1 |
| LM Forensics, Malware, and Penetration Testing | 06 34233 | Semester 2 |
| LM Network Security + Cryptography | 06 34231 | Semester 1 |
| LM Secure Software and Hardware Systems | 06 34240 | Semester 2 |
| Project (CompSci - MSc) | 06 18159 | Semester 1 |
40 credits chosen from:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LM Computer-Aided Verification (Extended) | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LM Dependable and Distributed Systems (Extended) | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LM Intelligent Data Analysis | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LM Machine Learning | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LM Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing (Extended) | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LM Programming Language Principles, Design, and Implementation (Extended) | 20 | Semester 1 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
You should have a 2:1 Honours Degree in a relevant subject (eg, Computer Science or a closely related discipline) or international equivalent in Computer Science or a closely related discipline. A solid foundation in programming and knowledge of data structures and algorithms will be a strong asset.
Students who have not studied in English must pass a recognised English test.
Fees and scholarships
- £13,040
Full-time
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 31 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
Our security and privacy graduates are in high demand in an ever-growing industry, and will gain the knowledge to become leaders in the field of cyber security, shaping the technologies that will be developed in the future. They are equipped to work on secure software development within the software and IT industry, or to become cyber security consultants. They may also choose to move on to PhD research.
A dynamic, fast-moving sector that offers exciting careers and excellent rewards
Our graduates find themselves in a variety of environments within academia, research, industry, government and private organisations
You could join a firm like Accenture and PwC, or one of the global IT giants such as Microsoft and Google
Exciting career prospects await computing graduates with strong qualifications. As the number of UK computer science graduates decreases while job opportunities rise, pursuing a postgraduate degree enhances your chances of securing excellent employment opportunities.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.