Cyber Security (MSc)

About this course

Improve your understanding of cyber security on this master’s degree at the University of Southampton. This course is one of only 25 MSc Cyber Security programmes in the UK to be awarded a full certification against the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Certified Master’s standard.

We’re recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by the UK government, and our academics have helped establish a European Data Science Academy.

Cyber security is critically important to commercial and academic organisations, as well as to governments and the public. There is currently a global shortage of experts in this field, and demand for their skills is growing significantly.

Our master's in cyber security offers a multi-disciplinary approach, covering both technical and non-technical subjects, to give you a well-rounded collection of skills that will make you attractive to future employers. Our researchers draw on their own research to offer modules on topics such as:

• network and web-based security
• software security
• cryptography
• criminology
• risk management
• machine learning

We’ll give you access to specialist project labs, computer workstations, and online tools to support your learning in an ideal environment. Our researchers will equip you to handle new and unique challenges in a variety of cyber security fields. At the end of the course, you’ll be able to design, build, analyse and problem-solve in many areas relating to cyber security.

Careers

On completion of the course, you’ll be ready for a career in the cyber security field or further research in industry or academia. You’ll graduate with a strong understanding of the technical aspects of cyber security, as well as the broader context in which these sit.

Our graduates go on to careers in:

• designing and marketing security products
• emerging cyber security professions to analyse cyber-threats and design defences
• cyber security consultancy companies who study and analyse trends in cyber security
• the military, intelligence agencies, crime prevention and investigation
• government departments (for example: the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BiS)

Alternatively, you can continue towards a PhD qualification or research assistant position.