Cybercrime (Distance Learning)

Program Overview

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Cybercrime (Distance Learning) MSc

Overview

This online Master's course explores the human dimensions of cybercrime, delving into the causes of cybercrime, digital investigations, and the methods and motivations of cybercriminals. Studying online at your own pace, you'll gain critical knowledge and analytical skills to meet the growing threat of cybercrime, allowing you to facilitate investigations and operate as a link between the police and technological forensic investigation teams.

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

Course Highlights

• Immerse yourself in the world of contemporary cybercrime and approaches for tackling it, covering topics including cyber offender and victim characteristics, debates around freedom of information and privacy, challenges of national cybersecurity, and the impact of global cybersecurity governance.
• Study with one of the first UK universities to offer a campus-based Master's degree in cybercrime and to bring a criminological strategy to the subject - expert academics from our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice have been researching and publishing in the field of cybercrime and online deviance for over 15 years.
• Learn alongside Master's students specialising in a wide range of criminology subjects, giving you a diverse learning experience with the opportunity to discuss and develop interdisciplinary ideas.
• Be taught by academics with previous experience as police officers, crime scene officers, probation officers and intelligence analysts.
• Get involved with our criminology research groups, such as the Cybercrime and Cybersecurity group, the Economic Crime group, and the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime.
• Complete a major project based on your chosen area of research, with the support of qualified and enthusiastic experts in the field.

Benefits of Distance Learning

• Work from anywhere, at your own pace, in your own time – with interactive online learning materials hosted on our virtual learning environment, Moodle, and available 24/7 on any device – find out how distance learning works.
• Access to over 600,000 ebooks, 55,000 online journals, digital newspapers and a postal loan service from our University Library – see all library support for distance learners.
• Invitations to online forums where you can discuss your studies with other students and your lecturers.
• Access to all student support services via email, phone, online chat or video call.

Accreditation

NCSC provisionally certified.

Key Information

Study Mode and Duration

• 2 years part-time

Start Date

• September 2025

Course Information

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.

Part-time

Year 1 Year 2

Core Modules

Cybercrime: Critical Perspectives - 30 credits

On this module, you'll critically examine criminological theories of cybercrime.

You'll explore how existing and emerging technologies are used to commit criminal offenses, developing your critical awareness of related problems and insights.

By analysing cybercrime research and professional practice, you'll also address motivations, responses and investigations - equipping you with skills for professional cybercrime prevention, detection and reaction.

Regulating Power Conflicts in Cyberspace - 30 credits

Focus on the different regulatory influences that impact on behaviour online and on the shaping and function of the modern internet.

You'll discuss regulation theories and analyse various organisations, groups and technological developments that could be impacting on how online behaviour and deviance happen today.

You'll gain a core understanding of how the internet functions as a space of interacting influences in shaping its social reality, examining case studies that focus on major underlying conflicts, such as privacy and encryptions or freedom of information and expression vs control of information flows.

Research Methods and Research Ethics - 30 credits

This module will help you to assess and build your skills ahead of research for your Master's dissertation.

You'll design and write up a research proposal for a project of your choice.

You'll start by thinking about any research skills you might need to improve on and develop ways to strengthen your skillset, through core training, chosen focus areas and applied learning.

Then, you'll work on your own postgraduate research proposal planning out the specific research methods you'll use and taking ethical issues into account.

You'll include clear objectives and document your literature and data sources.

Core Modules

Dissertation/Major Project - 60 credits

You'll complete a small-scale research project and write it up within a substantial academic dissertation thesis or an applied work-based project report, showcasing your grasp of design, methods, ethics, organisation and planning.

With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of criminology that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.

You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.

The Global Landscape of Cybersecurity - 30 credits

Explore national and international cybersecurity issues on this module.

You'll learn about the cybersecurity threats faced by organisations and states around the world, and the strategies they use to defend against them.

You'll analyse globalisation, risk and security concepts in cyberspace, assessing diverse organisational and state threats alongside national challenge appraisals.

By weighing up the impact of global governance and developing interdisciplinary risk management perspectives, you'll build informed, questioning awareness of this pivotal area.

Entry Requirements

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

September 2025 start

UK Qualifications

• A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject (Social Science, Humanities, Law, Psychology, or Management subject).
• Information Technology or science related subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants with equivalent professional experience in a relevant organisation will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.

Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete.

Non-UK Qualifications

If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.

To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.

English Language Requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:

• you have a UK degree
• you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
• you are a national of a majority English speaking country

Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis.

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees (September 2025 start)

UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students

• Part-time: £4,700 per year

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship)

• Part-time: £4,700 per year

International students

• Part-time: £4,700 per year

**University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount. **

Fees are subject to annual increase.

Funding your studies

Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.

If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan , which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.

Loans, Scholarships and Bursaries

Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.

Explore funding

Funding for International Students

Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.

Discover your options

Fees and Funding for Master's Courses

Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.

Explore funding

Additional Costs

These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

• Recommended reading:You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
• General costs:such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
• Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which relate to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

Read more about tuition fees, including what your tuition fees cover.

How You'll Spend Your Time

We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.

We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.

Course Structure

This Master's degree will take 2 years (part-time study).

You can expect:

• 6 hours of live online lectures and/or seminars for each module you study, recorded for those who cannot attend. All core material is available online at all times so you can create your own study schedule around work or other commitments.
• 9 hours of independent study each week.

Career Development

Careers this Master's Prepares You For

The risks and threats of cybercrime are only continuing to grow, yet there's a recognised shortfall in the cybersecurity skills needed to tackle cybercrime skills around the world.

So there's an increased demand for more people with the right skills to identify, investigate and counteract the problem of cybercrime, and not just from security and technological backgrounds.

These are the skills and perspectives you'll gain on this distance learning Master's course in cybercrime, supported by specialist academics and active researchers in cybercrime and criminology.

You’ll graduate with knowledge of practice and theory in cybercrime, as well as the research and analytical skills needed for private or public sector careers in the UK or abroad.

If you already work in the field of criminal justice, you'll be ready to pursue higher-level roles, or to break into a different area of the discipline.

If you're preparing to start your career in criminal justice, you'll gain the knowledge and advanced research problem-solving skills you need to stand out to employers.

You could also go on to a graduate scheme such as PoliceNow or the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme.

Graduates of this Course Can Go On To Roles Such As:

• cybercrime investigator
• online behavioural analyst
• policing (as an officer or civilian staff)
• crime, security and intelligence analysis
• private security
• data analyst

Graduates of this Course Can Go On To Work For Organisations Such As:

• the Civil Service
• national and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
• international government agencies and departments
• probation and prison service
• the Courts
• local administration / authorities
• charities

Supporting You

Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.

You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of Support

Personal Tutor

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your course.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

Learning Development Tutors

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors.

They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

• Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
• Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
• Understanding and using assignment feedback
• Managing your time and workload
• Revision and exam techniques

Academic Skills Support

During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions.

These sessions are tailored to your needs.

Support is available for skills including:

• University study
• Getting into the right study mindset
• Note-taking and note-making skills
• Referencing
• Presentation skills
• Time management, planning, and goal setting
• Critical thinking
• Avoiding plagiarism

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Wellbeing and Mental Health Support

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online.

This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

Disability Advice and Additional Support

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

• discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
• liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
• access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
• liaise with external services

Library Support

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources.

You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

Maths and Stats Support

The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment.

You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.

Support with English

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree.

Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

How to Apply

Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.

There's no deadline for applications to this course.

We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available.

If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.

You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist.

Current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth and international students also have some different application options, which are detailed below.

Extra Information for International Students

I'm an International Student

If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.

You could also get an agent to help with your application.

Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.