Master of Science in Cyber Security (ODL)

Program Overview

Master of Science in Cyber Security (ODL)

Course Details

• ODL (Online Distance Learning)
• Duration: 2 years 6 months
• Intake Date: 13 June 2025, 15 August 2025, 31 October 2025
• Awarding Body: APU, Malaysia

Why choose APU?

• Malaysia’s Premier Digital Tech University
• 5-Star Excellence Rating (SETARA)
• 100% Employability Rate
• Ranked No.16 for International Students in the World
• More than 80,000 Graduates & Alumni

Part-Time Module Schedule

• Click here to download 2025 Part-Time Module Schedule

Dual Degree

• APU-DMU Dual Degree Programme
• Students who are under Masters Degree Programme will have the option to opt-in for the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme.
• Under this Scheme, students will receive 2 Degree Certificates & Transcripts upon graduation: 1 from Asia Pacific University (APU), Malaysia and 1 from De Montfort University (DMU), UK.

Accreditation

• More Than Just A Cyber Security Master Programme
• APU's Master of Science in Cyber Security (ODL) programme is designed to provide you an edge with the latest technologies that are in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

Requirements

• Entry Requirements
• General Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computing or related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.50, or its equivalent qualification as accepted by the Senate.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computing or related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 and not meeting a CGPA of 2.50 can be accepted, subject to a rigorous internal assessment.
  • Bachelor’s degree in non-related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 as accepted by the Senate and with relevant working experience, subject to a rigorous internal assessment.
  • Bachelor’s degree in non-related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 as accepted by the Senate and without relevant working experience, subject to passing pre-requisite courses.
• English Requirements
  • IELTS: 5.5
  • Students from English speaking countries and those with qualifications taught in English (previous Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree taught in English) are exempted from English requirements.

Programme Outline

• What We Teach
• Opportunity for professional development at an advanced level within the area of Cyber Security.
• Ability to further develop specialisation gained in taught modules through an extensive research-based and/or technical-based dissertation, to prepare a subject matter expert in the field.
• APU is also poised to become a frontrunner in cyber security research through the establishment of the Forensics and Cyber Security (FSEC) Research Centre, through which research activities will be undertaken to challenge boundaries in the application of cyber security.

The Benefits of the Programme

• The curriculum covers a wide range of industry relevant subject areas in Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Incident Response, Security Auditing and Assessment, Advanced Ethical Hacking, E-Investigation, Data Analytics in Cyber Security etc.
• External reviews conducted by Cyber Security Malaysia (CSM), KPMG and F-Secure during the development of the programme curriculum.
• Programme Support by an Industry Advisory Panel involving cyber security experts from Cyber Intelligence, Cyber Test Systems, Akati Consulting Group and Cyber Security Malaysia (CSM).
• A fully-functional Security Operations Centre (SOC) that allows students to have hands-on cybersecurity operations platform to monitor live data which allows them to perform real-time cyber security monitoring to fortify network defense with global threat intelligence and launching faster response on cyber security incidents.
• A full-fledged Cyber Threats Simulation and Response Centre – Cyber Range is also included within the Cyber Security Talent Zone in APU. Cyber Range incorporates latest technologies and a military grade cyber-defence system, enabling students to understand and formulate defence strategies, and practice the entire chain of cyber defence, while preparing them to deal with real cyber threat attack when it happens.
• A technical project related to Cyber Security as dissertation in the final semester.
• Research opportunities for students via APU’s Forensic and Cyber Security Research Centre - FSEC.

Who Should Attend

• This programme is geared towards practicing IT/Computing professionals within industry who seek further formal qualifications in Cyber Security.
• In addition, professionals and managers who wish to enhance themselves with Cyber Security knowledge and skills to postgraduate level will find this programme attractive.
• Fresh undergraduate students from Cyber Security / Digital Forensics background will also find this programme worthwhile as a path to further enhance their academic qualifications.

Modules & Project

• This programme comprises 10 coursework modules and a Project.
• There are 7 compulsory Core Modules (including Research Methodology module) and you will have to choose 3 elective modules from those listed.

Pre-Requisite Modules (for non-computing students)

• Duration: 4 months (ODL)
• Programming in Python
• Database for Data Science
• Digital Forensics and Cyber Security Tools

Core Modules

• Information Security Design
• Data Analytics in Cyber Security
• Cyber Security & Threats
• Security Operations Center & Incident Response
• Advanced Ethical Hacking
• Advanced Digital Forensics
• Research Methodology in Computing & Engineering
• Project Paper

Elective Modules (Choose 3)

• Network Design & Performance
• Information Security Architectures
• Security Audit and Assessment
• E-Investigation
• Applied Scripting in Cyber Security

Project

• As part of this course, you are expected to complete an extensive project paper in relation to Cyber Security for both academic and industry purposes.
• This project paper will be supervised by a member of academic staff as the main supervisor.
• It may involve working with an external organisation (probably directly relevant to your work or organisation or any of our industry partners).
• You are given considerable flexibility in choosing any Cyber Security related topics to base your project paper.
• As for the deliverables, you are required to come up with a prototype/ simulation/ framework etc. (the list is just an example and not limited to only these) and to produce one project paper and a publishable conference/ journal paper consists of summary of the work.

Distinguished

• Rocheston Certified Penetration Tester (RCPT) program
• The RCPT certification is designed and embedded as part of Advanced Ethical Hacking module in the Master of Science in Cyber Security programme, to allow the students to have an industry-standard exposure towards penetration testing as well as an opportunity to upskill themselves in real-life scenarios and simulations through the offered CyberLabs.
• Certified Hacker Forensics Investigator (CHFI)
• Upon completion of the Advanced Digital Forensics module, students will be ready and may opt for the Certified Hacker Forensics Investigator (CHFI) professional certification.
• Certified Security Operation Centre Analyst (CSOC)
• Upon completion of the Security Operations Center (SOC) & Incident Response SOC module, students will be ready and may opt for the Certified Security Operation Center (CSOC) professional certification.

Award

• Cyber Security Innovation (Education) of the Year award
• APU Wins Cyber Security Innovation (Education) of the Year 2024 by CyberSecurity Malaysia

100% Online

• Open & Distance Learning (ODL) programmes are designed to address the theoretical, practical and scientific skills and contribute towards new and meaningful knowledge in their field of expertise.
• ODL allows students to learn anytime, anywhere at their own pace - this power of freedom has ignited more interest & excitement in learning.
• All the Master (ODL) programmes are available for part-time study mode. The minimum duration of study is 2.5 years.
• Students are to register the modules on a modular basis. Each module will be offered over a two-month duration.

Facilities

• The APU Centre Point & Atrium serves as a melting pot of cultures from all over the world.
• Here, cultural activities are organised regularly at the campus, fostering long-lasting intercultural relationships among APU students, who come from over 130 countries.

Career Path

• Security Architect
• Cyber Security Analyst / Consultant
• Information Security Analyst
• Cyber Security Incident Response Consultant
• Digital Forensic Investigator
• Cyber Security Engineer
• Information Security Engineer
• Cyber Security Manager
• Information Security Manager

Fees & Certification

• Malaysian: RM34,500
• International: RM34,500 (USD8,025)
• MQA Cert: Programme code : (N-DL/0613/7/0033)(07/29)(MQA/PA17433)
• Fees stated above do not include Enrolment Fees, Registration Fees and other Miscellaneous Fees. Please refer to Fee Guide for details.
• All information is correct at the time of publication, but is subject to change in the interest of continuing improvement.