Cyber Security & Digital Forensics - MEng

Leeds Beckett University

Cyber attacks are escalating, digital crime is evolving, and the demand for professionals who can defend systems and uncover digital evidence has never been higher. This integrated master’s degree equips you with expertise in cyber security and digital forensics, two areas at the heart of national and global security.You’ll learn how to protect complex systems, investigate cyber incidents, and extract meaningful evidence from digital devices, all while thinking like an attacker and a defender. From the start, you’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard forensic and security tools used by professionals worldwide, including Encase and Cellebrite, alongside open-source platforms such as Autopsy and FTK Imager.As part of this cyber security and digital forensics degree, you’ll:- Complete an extra year of specialist study to achieve a master's-level qualification- Combine expertise in two high-impact fields: cyber security and digital forensics- Investigate digital devices, from hard drives to mobile technology, to uncover, preserve, and analyse evidence- Discover how computer systems and networks are attacked, defended, and secured- Develop hands-on investigative and ethical hacking techniques- Enhance your learning with our bespoke Hacktivity system, which simulates real business environments and potential cyber attacks

Your final year empowers you to specialise at an advanced level. In digital forensics, you’ll explore topics like image and video analysis evidence handling and chain of custody and advanced investigative techniques used in real cases. In cyber security, you’ll delve into software exploitation, security mechanism design, system vulnerability assessmentYou’ll complete a research or practical dissertation, strengthening your research, problem-solving, and professional practice skills – perfect preparation for both industry and further study.Your cyber communityJoining the university’s Ethical Hacking Society gives you the chance to look at key topics outside the classroom. You’ll explore emerging digital security threats, experiment with tools and techniques, and hear directly from industry professionals.

You’ll develop experience in preparing digital evidence for courts of law and industry clients, sharpening your professional communication and presentation skills. Through conferences, guest lectures, and live projects, you’ll build valuable industry connections. You could also work with local employers as dissertation clients, giving your CV a serious boost before you graduate.

As part of our Cybercrime and Security Innovation Centre, our teaching team works in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police to develop new approaches to tackling cybercrime.

We work with a range of organisations to support placement opportunities. Our strong links with the security, forensics, and legal sectors help you apply your learning in real environments and enhance your employability before you graduate.