Program Overview

Master in Cybersecurity

The Master in Cybersecurity offers a program of a distinctly technical and practical character, clearly different from other Master's programs in information security focused on organizational, administrative, and legal aspects. A didactic methodology is applied, based on on-site classes, specialized seminars, conferences, case studies, practical sessions in computer labs, tutorials, study, and self-learning.

Program Description

The curriculum for the Master in Cybersecurity offers two tracks of elective courses for two different profiles of graduates, although students can also choose to shape their own electives track:

• Secure Systems Engineer, oriented to the design and development of components and systems where security plays an important role.
• Cybersecurity Analyst, oriented to organizations that need to be protected from cyber threats and require personnel who can identify attacks and vulnerabilities in their systems and networks.

Curriculum

The Master's Degree curriculum aims to provide students with advanced scientific and technological knowledge about Cybersecurity. Its main objective is to teach students skills, abilities, and knowledge in advanced Cybersecurity, in a solid yet flexible manner, to facilitate their adaptation to an environment as rapidly changing as this one. The curriculum is structured around three main blocks:

• Cyber-Attack Techniques
• Cyber-Defense Techniques and Secure Communications
• Cybersecurity Management

The program makes it possible for students to select electives depending on the route they wish to take:

• "Systems Security Engineering" Route (I1): This route is intended for students who wish to improve their training in matters related to the specification, design and development, implementation, and maintenance of secure systems.
• "Cybersecurity Analyst" Route (I2): This route is designed for students who want additional training as systems security analysts.

Course Structure

• Year 1 - Semester 1:
  • General subjects:
    • Secure Communications
    • Software Systems Exploitation
    • Data Protection
    • Cyber Defense Systems
    • Cyber Attack Techniques
    • Seminar I
  • Electives (choose 1):
    • Cyber crime, Cyber Terrorism, and Cyber War
    • Risk Analysis in Cybersecurity
• Year 1 - Semester 2:
  • General subjects:
    • Identification and Authentication
    • Cyber Security Management and Administration
    • Seminar II
  • Electives (choose 3):
    • Systems Security Engineering
    • Secure Architecture
    • Mobile Security
    • Malware Analysis and Engineering
    • Persisten Threat and Information Leakage
    • Computer Forensic

Master's Thesis

• Master Project: 12 ECTS

Admission

• Requirements:
  • Possession of a Degree in Engineering or Computer Engineering (of four or five years' duration depending if taken before or after the changes implemented by the Bologna Process), Telecommunications, in any specialty, or similar ICT related degree.
  • Holders of engineering degrees from overseas universities must demonstrate professional experience in the ICT field.
• Admission criteria:
  • Candidates' academic transcript: 5 points
  • Level of English language ability: 1 point
  • Motivation letter: 0.5 points
  • Others: 3.5 points
  • Work experience: 1-2.5 points
  • Grades in core subjects necessary for studying the Master's Degree: 1-2.5 points

Enrollment and Tuition Fees

• Reservation fee: 450
• Tuition fees:
  • EU students (80/ECTS): First academic year - 60 ECTS: 4,800
  • Non-EU students (120/ECTS): First academic year - 60 ECTS: 7,200

Scholarships

• UC3M offers tuition grants for the academic year 2026/2027.
• A maximum of 4 grants have been announced for the academic year to cover the net tuition fees for students admitted to the Master's program.

Double Master's Degrees

• The UC3M offers the possibility of taking the Master's Degree in Cybersecurity along with a master's degree that enables students to exercise regulated professional activities.
• Double Master's Degree in Informatics Engineering and Cybersecurity: 24 ECTS recognized
• Double Master's Degree in Telecommunications Engineering and Cybersecurity: 12 ECTS recognized

Faculty and Research Areas

• The faculty includes professors from the Computer Science and Engineering Department, Telematic Engineering Department, and Electronic Technology Department.
• Research areas include cybersecurity, computer networks, artificial intelligence, and data science.