Program Overview

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Computer Science for Cyber Security

MSc or PGDip or PGCert

Overview

Cyber-attacks are some of the biggest threats to national security today. With everything from health records to financial data stored online, people and businesses face constant risk from malicious attacks. Could you protect them?

If you have a computing degree (or lots of experience in the industry), you’ll have the technical skills to join this gold-standard course fully certified by the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) a part of GCHQ. Our expert teaching staff will help you hone those skills until you’re ready to take up the challenge yourself.

Unlike some courses which deal with regulations and legislation for cyber security, we focus on developing secure networks and software. That means you’ll be working in our labs, practising offensive and defensive techniques. You’ll be working on live projects and alongside others as you would in the industry. And you’ll build your knowledge until you’re an expert in everything from reverse engineering to OS development.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• A gold-standard qualification
• Original and inspiring research
• Brand new facilities
• Technically challenging
• Study in technology valley
• Accreditation(s)

Awarded The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) certification, the gold standard for courses in Cyber Security

Course details

Course structure

If you study for the full master’s degree, you’ll complete 6 taught modules of 20 credits, and a dissertation of 60 credits.

You’ll start by learning the academic and professional skills you’ll need to research cyber security issues and make a successful career in the field.

The taught modules will help you develop the advanced knowledge you’ll need for a specialist career in cyber security. Covering areas like systems architecture and enterprise networking, you’ll learn how to create secure systems from both a technological and human angle. In modules like Malware Analysis and Ethical Hacking, you won’t just learn the theory, you’ll be putting your ideas to the test in our labs.

With your dissertation, you’ll look at a subject in real depth over the summer. You might choose to work with an organization on a challenge they’re facing. Or you might like to focus on an area that interests you personally. Your supervisor will support you throughout the process to make your project as impactful as possible.

Learning and teaching

We use a range of teaching methods, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• library and internet research
• practical design and experimentation.

Our teaching staff are experienced academic staff and practitioners in the field of Computer Science and Cyber Security. Visiting speakers from business and industry help to maintain relevance to the evolution of the industry.

Assessment

Assessment methods include:

• coursework exercises
• presentations
• lab work
• reports
• examinations.

Research

The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics is home to world-leading and award-winning research. Our focus is on user-inspired original research with real-world applications. A wide range of activities from model-driven system design and empirical software engineering through to web technologies, cloud computing and big data, digital forensics and computer vision.

Staff and students collaborate on projects supported by the EPSRC, the EU, the DTI, and several major UK companies.

Computing achieved an excellent assessment of its UoA (Unit of Assessment) 11 return for REF 2014 (Research Excellence Framework).

Students on this course can be involved with research in the following research groups:

• Centre for AI, Culture and Society (CAICS)
• Advanced Reliable Computer Systems (ARCoS)
• Applied Software Engineering and Data Analytics (ASEDA)
• Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity group (CCC)
• Machine Learning and Robotics Group (MLR)
• Visual Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (VAIL)

Careers

Cyber security is important in a huge range of organisations, so your skills will be in high demand. Past graduates are working everywhere from small startup businesses to the NHS. Relevant roles you could look for include:

• IT security professional
• penetration tester
• digital forensic investigator
• software developer
• systems engineer
• technical analyst
• IT manager
• consultant.

You may also consider carrying on your research – either with a private company or by applying for a PhD.

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

To join this course you'll need a 2:2 UK bachelor's degree in a computer-related subject. If you're without a degree in computing, but you have worked in the computing industry you can also be considered. If you have no experience or degree in a computing related discipline then you should consider our MSc in Computing Science. You would normally be proficient at programming in C++/Java or similar.

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with 6.0 in all components.

OR

An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.

Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

Tuition fees

2025 / 26

• Home (UK) full time: Masters: £9,700; Diploma: £8,700; Certificate: £4,850
• Home (UK) part time: £4,850
• International full time: £18,950

2026 / 27

• Home (UK) full time: Masters: £9,950; Diploma: £8,950; Certificate: £4,975
• Home (UK) part time: £4,975
• International full time: £19,600

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

Postgraduate Master's Loan - England

Study modules

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

• Research Methods (20 credits)
• Principles of Cybersecurity (20 credits)
• Secure Networking (20 credits)
• Malware Analysis (20 credits)
• Ethical Hacking (20 credits)
• Secure Programming (20 credits)

Final project

Compulsory modules

• MSc Dissertation in Computer Science for Cyber Security (60 credits)

This module is an individual research and development project that allows you to study a topic of your choice in depth, guided by your supervisor. The work may be undertaken in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation. You will undertake your dissertation over the summer period.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Optional costs

• Travel and associated costs if relevant when undertaking work placements: £30-700 per year
• If you are considering bringing your own computer, most of the software we use is on Windows machines though there is some use of Linux. We do not use Apple MacOS and their use is not required but some students do choose to bring MacOS machines so a Mac can be a viable choice if you so wish: £
• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online: From £30
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand: £20-60 per book
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills): £94-265 per week
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs): £122-180 per week
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41: Typically £0-200
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. For the 2025/26 academic year, the University is introducing an alternative subsidised travel offer for all students with further information on our Travel webpages: From £10

Programme changes

On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.