Intro

Cyber security is a fast-growing and critical field in the global digital economy. Designed to meet employer expectations and international demand, our practical Cyber Security MSc prepares you for specialist roles in cyber security and AI-enabled defence.

The course combines strong technical foundations with applied practice, so you’ll build skills in securing operating systems, networks, software and web-based systems and apply these to realistic attack and defence scenarios. You will also explore how AI technologies both create new security challenges and enable powerful defensive capabilities.

The industry placement or research year is a great way to gain valuable professional or academic experience and provides an opportunity for international students to study in the UK for two years instead of one.

91Ώμ»ξΑΦ & Hove is one of the most important cities in the UK for digital technology businesses and is just an hour away from central London.

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year or 2 years with a placement
Part-time 2–6 years

September and January start dates

New for 2026

This new course is subject to validation. This means it is in the final stage of development and some changes may still be made to the curriculum. Check back for the latest information.

After you apply we’ll let you know about any changes to the course through .

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience
An undergraduate (honours) degree in computing. Applicants without a degree but with relevant industrial computing experience are considered on an individual basis.

 

English language requirements
If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar (Burma)
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Türkiye Turkiye Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

View our English language courses

For pre-sessional English preparation courses.

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Course content

Top reasons to study this course

  • Course content that meets international standards and aligns with the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK), making your skills relevant to global industry.
  • Option to study the two-year route with a 12-month work placement or research placement.
  • Develop in-demand skills in cyber threat intelligence, malware analysis and incident response, and an understanding of risk management, governance, law and regulation.
  • Specialist facilities, including a CISCO-certified networking and cyber security lab, usability lab, virtual reality (VR) suite, and robotics and autonomous systems lab.
  • Practice-focused learning – you’ll learn through applied exercises and realistic scenarios that reflect the integration of AI with contemporary cyber security practice.
  • Graduate with skills that prepare you for roles such as cyber security analyst, SOC specialist, security engineer and threat intelligence analyst.
  • Work with staff who are expert researchers in cyber threat intelligence (CTI), artificial intelligence (AI) for cyber security and threat modelling.
UOB_05-13FEB24_AW_1080 (1)

Syllabus

Modules

  • Emerging Topics in AI and Cyber Security
  • System and Network Security
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence and Security Operations
  • Security Management and Governance 
  • Project 

 

 

 

Group of students discussing work in a computer room

Placement or research year

Placement

The placement option offers a year of work experience to enhance your career opportunities and deepen knowledge of your specialist area. You’ll be given feedback throughout the year to give you the chance to reflect on your experience and help prepare you for your future career.

Research

You will undertake in-depth independent research in cyber security, aligned with the expertise of the course team and distinct from taught modules and your final project. You’ll critically analyse complex concepts, theories and evidence and gain advanced research skills to prepare you for further study or research-led professional roles.

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Staff profile

, course leader 

“My main research focuses on the engineering of secure and trustworthy systems that ensure data privacy. My research interests are in the area cyber threat intelligence (CTI), artificial intelligence (AI) for cyber security, threat modelling and security requirements engineering. I study methods, tools and techniques that support engineers in the development of systems that are secure and protect data privacy.”

Michalis-Pavlidis

Careers

Facilities

Our specialist facilities include:

  • CISCO-certified cyber security and communications lab, and 
  • Robotics lab and virtual reality (VR)/ augmented reality (AR) facilities equipped with the latest technology to support research and practical projects.
  •  with virtual reality (VR) and motion platform technology.
  • Prototyping labs and workshops in our advanced engineering building
  • 3D printers and CNC machines
User Experience MSc students 1

Industry connections 


  • The course is informed by our Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) who work with us to ensure the content is relevant to industry. 
  • Content aligned with Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK)  to ensure the skills you learn prepare you for work globally.
  • You will have opportunities to network with companies and organisations in the sector through external speakers and taking advantage of the many digital media events organised in the city.

 

Career support for life

Beyond your course, our Careers and Employability team are here to support you as you discover (and rediscover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that’s not just while you are a student – our support carries on after you’ve graduated.

Find out about careers and employability at 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ.

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Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time)10,242 GBP

International (full-time) 18,792 GBP

Placement year 1,958 GBP


Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2026–27.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or the Consumer Price Index (RPI), whichever is higher.

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you’ll find the Students’ Union events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our Moulsecoomb Place halls and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains so you can access all the exciting things happening in our home city.

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Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you apply for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence. Almost all (98%) of students starting their course with us in 2025 got their first or second room choice. 

91Ώμ»ξΑΦ: Moulsecoomb

Halls of residence

We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish high-rises in the heart of the student village at our Moulsecoomb campus with en suite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular, dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently?

We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

One of Time Out's 50 best cities in the world

“91Ώμ»ξΑΦ has… all the important parts of a sprawling cosmopolitan metropolis (connections to London in under an hour, an array of properly excellent restaurants, energetic late-night spots) … with the easy-breezy beachy attitude to life that makes you feel welcome in an instant.”
Time Out’s 50 Best Cities in the World, 2025

About 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ

The city of 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

91Ώμ»ξΑΦ is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to more than 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy – as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ to central London and there are daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ
91Ώμ»ξΑΦ Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You’ll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness to managing stress and accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you’ll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You’ll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well as having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more about how we support your wellbeing.

Sport at 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ

Sport 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ

Sport 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ brings together our sport and recreation services. As a 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

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Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

91Ώμ»ξΑΦ Cricket Academy

Develop your cricketing skills in the UK’s largest indoor cricket facility alongside studying for a degree. Whether you can already play or you’re new to the game offers the opportunity to train with top coaches in our world-class training environment. 

Find out about the 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ Cricket Academy.

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Take a tour of sport facilities on our Falmer campus

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

Tel: 01273 644644

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