Program Overview
Information Security PhD
Key Information
- Duration: 4 years full time
- Institution code: R72
- Campus: Egham
- UK fees: £5,006
- International/EU fees: £25,500
About Us
The Information Security Group (ISG) is a world-leading interdisciplinary research group dedicated to research and education in the area of information (cyber) security.
- The ISG comprises more than fifteen full-time academic faculty members, including a mix of computer scientists, mathematicians, and social scientists.
- They are supported by visiting academics, research assistants, and a large number of research students, making the ISG one of the largest academic information security teams in the world.
- We also host an EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber Security for the Everyday, which funds a four-year PhD programme (first year of taught training followed by three years of research).
Research Facilities and Environment
- The ISG has more than 15 permanent research-active members of academic staff, a number of distinguished visiting professors and consultants, as well as a large group of postdoctoral research assistants and a large PhD research student community supported by the CDT in Cybersecurity for the everyday.
- This exciting research environment is enhanced by a range of research seminars and working groups.
- We also boast exceptional research facilities, including our own dedicated research centre, the Smart Card and IoT Security Centre.
- The Systems Security Research Lab (S2 Lab) was founded in September 2014, focusing on devising novel techniques to protect systems from a broad range of threats.
Assessment
- Once the research has been successfully completed, the student must write and submit a final report in the form of a PhD research thesis.
- This will be evaluated by at least two experts, and the student will be invited to attend an oral examination where they must defend their thesis.
Entry Requirements
- The minimum entry requirement for an MPhil or an MPhil leading to a PhD degree is the equivalent of a UK Second Class Honours degree in an appropriate subject, although in many cases a Masters level qualification will also be expected.
- Candidates must also be demonstrably proficient in English.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 overall, Writing 7.0, No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall, Writing 69, No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.
Country-Specific Requirements
- For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country, please see here.
Your Future Career
- The degree can be used as an entry into corporate information security research or academic research, or may serve as a method to demonstrate the candidate's advanced skills in a manner beyond that demonstrated by a taught course.
- Ex-students can now be found working at high levels in all branches of information security and in such companies as Microsoft and Google.
Fees & Funding
- Home (UK) students tuition fee per year: £5,006
- EU and International students tuition fee per year: £25,500
- Other essential costs: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.
- Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee.
- Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator).
- Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry.
- For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee, please see the UKRI website.
- This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.
- Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase fees for all students annually.
- Be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year.
- For further information, see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.
- These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide.
- Costs, such as accommodation, food, books, and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Program Outline
- Develop students' research skills through a combination of coursework and independent research.
- Prepare students for successful careers in academia, industry, or government.
Description:
The program features a rigorous curriculum that covers a wide range of topics, including cryptography, network security, systems security, and security management. Students also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of interest through a variety of elective courses. The program culminates in a research thesis, which must be successfully defended in an oral examination.
Outline:
Content:
The program covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Cryptography
- Network security
- Systems security
- Security management
- Security engineering
- Privacy
- Digital forensics
- Human factors in security
Structure:
The program is divided into four years:
- Year 1: Coursework (taught modules)
- Year 2: Coursework (taught modules)
- Year 3: Research (MPhil)
- Year 4: Research (PhD)
Modules:
The program includes a variety of modules, each with its own specific focus. Some examples of modules include:
- Cryptography I
- Network Security
- Secure Systems
- Security Management
- Security Engineering
- Privacy and Data Protection
- Digital Forensics
- Human Factors in Security
Assessment:
Assessment methods:
Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Written assignments
- Examinations
- Project work
- Presentations
- Research thesis
Teaching:
Teaching methods:
The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Independent research
Faculty:
The program is taught by leading experts in the field of information security. The ISG has a strong international reputation for its research and teaching excellence.
Unique approaches:
The program offers a number of unique features, including:
- A focus on research-led teaching
- Opportunities for students to work on real-world projects
- Access to state-of-the-art research facilities
Careers:
Career paths:
The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in information security, including:
- Security researcher
- Security analyst
- Security engineer
- Security consultant
- Security manager
Opportunities:
The program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a variety of challenging and rewarding careers. Graduates of the program are highly sought-after by employers in both the public and private sectors.
Outcomes:
The program has a strong track record of producing successful graduates. Many alumni of the program are now working in leading positions in the field of information security.
Other:
Entry requirements:
A UK Second Class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject
English language requirements:
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no subscore lower than 5.5 The program offers a unique combination of research-led teaching, real-world project opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art research facilities. Graduates of the program are highly sought-after by employers in both the public and private sectors, and they have a strong track record of success in a variety of challenging and rewarding careers.
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year : £4,786 Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
- and These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2024/25.
- Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
