MSci (Hons) Cyber Security (Integrated Masters)

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

This integrated master’s degree is a full time four years undergraduate course, which combines undergraduate and postgraduate study levels (Level 4 – Level 7). This degree gives you the opportunity to explore your interest and learning in greater detail and obtain a master’s degree at the end of your course.

This programme will equip you with state-of-the-art technical knowledge, intellectual know-how, management capabilities and practical skills that will enable you to successfully navigate through the cyber security challenges facing organisations today.

It is suitable for those from a computer science, engineering or information technology educational background. If you don’t have any formal studies in computer science, don’t worry – this course could still be for you, but we would need you to demonstrate significant interest in cyber security instead.

This programme will give you a well-rounded appreciation of the issues facing our hyperconnected society. You’ll explore the technological, legislative and social issues that impact organisations today. Alongside this you’ll meet and be taught by practitioners from industry who will provide insight into the current issues and how these are being addressed.

All modules have been designed with input from key industry governing bodies and experts such as the Communications-Electronics Security Group (CESG), a group within the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), as well as Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP) Information Security Skills Framework.

When you graduate you will have strong technical skills and strong business acumen, and well prepared to work in a range of industries in both public and private sectors, or to continue to develop your knowledge with further study.

You will get opportunities to expand your knowledge both inside and outside of the lecture theatre. Students have previously visited sites of historical importance, including Bletchley Park, to learn more about the history of computing and how it impacted the world.

What will I study?

Our MSci (Hons) Cyber Security programme combines three years of undergraduate study with an additional fourth year at postgraduate level, in a single course.

The integrated master’s degree is identical to the equivalent undergraduate course but provides you with the opportunity to delve deeper into your interest in the fourth year of study, enabling you to graduate with a master’s degree.

If you do not achieve the necessary standard of performance to continue onto the fourth year and complete the integrated masters, you can still graduate after three years with a Bachelor degree qualification.

This programme focuses on providing insight into the context of the needs of real organisations by exploring their current and future operating environments.

During the course, you’ll also learn to use a wide range of cyber security related tools and techniques, alongside specialist technical skills in computer programming, software engineering, cloud and database development.

You’ll learn modern technical system tools like network and software security, artificial inelegant systems security, cloud computing system security, and mobile systems security, as well as developing management skills in business continuity and disaster recovery, cyber security assurance and risk management, in addition to research techniques.

As you progress, you’ll gain a solid understanding of how to protect organisations, networks, IT systems and individuals against cyber-attacks and cyber threats.

You’ll be given the opportunity to become more effective and creative when solving cyber security problems, as well as analysing scenarios with a view to being able to advise individuals.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Our lecturers have extensive industry and academic experience. They’ll help you mix theory with practice, informing your teaching with their knowledge.

We attract many guest speakers from industry, who share their business acumen, inform on current practices, career opportunities, and help prepare you for working life as a cyber security professional.

We work closely with the professional bodies and regional employers to ensure you can maximise any opportunities to bolster your career prospects, such as networking sessions and seminars delivered by professional bodies.

We encourage problem-based learning through case studies and classroom-based exercises throughout our modules.

A major benefit of integrated master’s degree courses is the final year project which will help you to develop advanced technical and professional skills that are required for research or other practically-based careers.

Employability is at the heart of our MSci (Hons) Cyber Security course, and we will encourage you to prepare for your future career by:

• obtaining the relevant certifications that can help enhance their employability profile
• understand clearance requirements; as many jobs in cyber security may require a security clearance, students need to be mindful that past actions could affect their eligibility
• getting involved and demonstrating an interest in the cyber security field by developing professional relationships; staying abreast of industry trends by joining an association.
• building a portfolio; seeking opportunities to demonstrate their expertise by co-presenting at industry conferences and completing relevant projects
• seeking opportunities; looking for ways to obtain professional experience through summer internships, job shadowing or work-study jobs.