Master of Science in Cyber Security University of Suffolk, UK

The MSc Cyber Security degree is a conversion course programme of study that trains a graduate in a new subject and prepares them for a specific profession. In the case of our MSc 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 Cyber Security will cover a range of cyber security topics essential to any organisation of the 21st Century. Our course is one of a small number that consists entirely of Cyber Security modules, and it uniquely provides explicit training in the human side of cyber security through the study of Social Engineering. Furthermore, our course will give students a generalist background in cyber security – this has long been recognised as something that is lacking in industry, and our graduates will be well placed to contribute to organisations at a variety of levels and roles (not just the technical ones).

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 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. 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.

The content of the course has been developed with a strong reference to the CyBOK standards, which identify the core skills and knowledge needed to be an effective cyber security professional or researcher, and which are also essential skills relevant for future accreditation by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Foundational skills in both Computing and Cyber Security are developed in early modules, providing the essentials needed for subsequent study of core subjects such as network security, penetration testing, Open Source Intelligence, Social Engineering, forensics, malware analysis and strategic cyber security. A final dissertation provides students with the opportunity to carry out much deeper investigations into a topic of interest, and the research skills needed to do so are introduced progressively right from the beginning of the course.

Every industry sector that makes use of technology for their business will need cyber security expertise. The content of this course will thus 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.