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Computing Sciences at UEA
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Find out moreMSc Cyber Security (Part Time 3 Year)
Key details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Course options
Other Start Dates
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Research Excellence Framework (REF)Course Overview
Why MSc Cyber Security (Part Time 3 years) at UEA?
This course at UEA provides an exciting and challenging journey through the ethical, societal, cultural, and technological aspects of cyber security.
Whether you’re interested in the technical, human, or legislative side of the subject, the Cyber Security course at UEA will give you the chance to develop a knowledge and understanding of the key areas.
Why Choose UEA
- Global demand: Cyber security skills are in demand across finance, government, healthcare, and tech in the United Kingdom and across the globe
- Career connectivity: You’ll have exposure to employers through guest lectures, case studies, and projects related to current industry problems
- Certified excellence: The course is accredited by the National Cyber Security Centre, UK which reflects evidence of a strong standard
What is MSc Cyber Security (Part Time 3 years)?
This is a course that is perfect for anyone with a curious mind and the drive to shape the future of society. Our Cyber Security Masters course will give you a well-rounded appreciation of the issues facing our hyperconnected society, and some of the technological, legislative and social issues that we now face.
You'll also meet and be taught by practitioners from industry who will inform you of current issues and how these are being addressed through lectures, seminars, lab sessions and guest lectures. Each module will have seminars, labs or a combination of the two to give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned.
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Accreditations
This course has been certified by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).(opens in a new window)
Careers
Career Pathways
With an MSc in Cyber Security, you could launch a career in:
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Cyber Security Engineer
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Cyber Security Analyst
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Security Architect
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Digital Forensic Examiner
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Penetration Tester
Career Support
The employability fair run by our school includes a range of industry talks and stands will give you information and connections for better career planning. Also, during this MSc Cyber Security course, you'll develop a range of skills to encourage critical and analytical thinking and help you communicate your ideas. When you graduate, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue careers like software engineering, data analysis, security penetration testing programming, or to continue to develop your knowledge with further study.
Our Career Central(opens in a new window) will support you during and after the course with one-to-one meetings, networking opportunities and guidance through your job application process.
After the Course
After graduating you have a wealth of career choices open to you. Cyber security is a field that touches nearly every area of industry and government, and as such you’e likely to have a range of options. This could be in technically focused roles such as a software engineer, penetration tester or security architect or those that look at security more holistically such as a security analyst. Another option is to continue your studies and undertake a PhD in the area.
The School of Computing Sciences runs an employability fair every year, which includes a range of industry talks and stands.
Study and Modules
Structure
During the first year you'll be focus on the fundamentals of cyber security, learning about the core concepts to underpin your learning in the subject. This will be supplemented by a range of topics such as human aspects of cyber security, cyber crime and information warfare. Additionally, you'll cover how cyber security is used in industry and gain experience of how some of the techniques and theory are deployed in practice.
This first year is key to provide you with the wider experience and vocabulary to engage in what is a fast-paced and rapidly evolving subject. The ability to tie what you’ve learned to how it’s used in practice within government, industry and beyond really helps to cement the context of what you’re learning.
This year will introduce the legislative side of cyber security, with a focus on how the law underpins the subject. This is then supplemented by a choice to specialise in the legal side of things or focus on more technical topics. The law is at the heart of a significant number of topics and discussions within cyber security and so an awareness of this further reinforces your learning and understanding.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
Your second year will allow you to specialise in a non-cyber security area, for example, if you come from a non-computer science background you'll gain hands on experience of programming. There is also scope to focus further on the design and development of systems with humans in mind. This provides the opportunity to develop a broad range of skills that are useful to the cyber security professional. Even if you have no interest in becoming a software developer in the future, understanding what makes a good piece of software and how it works provides an essential level of knowledge and experience.
This year will also provide the opportunity to cover more specialist technical topics such as privacy and reputation, business strategies in cyber security, secure software development practices or to pursue the legislative side of topics. This gives you the opportunity to tailor your degree to cover the areas that are most interesting to you, allowing some specialism in a diverse subject such as cyber security.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
The third year of your course will see the start of your dissertation, where you work closely with your supervisor to develop your individual project. This gives you the opportunity put the knowledge and skills you’ve gained to date into practice and contribute to the growing body of knowledge. You'll also be learning about network security, IoT and ethical hacking.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You'll be taught be experts in the field, with a wealth of experience both in academia and industry. Your learning will take the form of lectures, seminars, lab sessions and guest lectures. Your lectures will provide an excellent background in the subject and give you all the theoretical tools that you need. Each module will have seminars, labs or a combination of the two to give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned. This active learning helps you cement the knowledge you gain throughout the course. The seminar sessions will allow you the opportunity to discuss your thoughts and ideas in small, focused groups and are an excellent place to develop and discuss your own thoughts. Lab sessions give you the opportunity to put the skills that you’ve learned into practice in a technical setting.
During the taught phase of your MSc Cyber Security, you'll typically have around 12 hours of contact time per week, typically consisting of lectures and labs/seminars.
In addition to your contact hours, you'll also spend time carrying out independent study, whether that is working in the Cyber Security Lab or researching in UEA’s state-of-the-art library.
This degree provides an excellent grounding in cyber security, but it’ll also give you much more. You'll develop excellent time management skills and become organised and confident through self-directed study. Throughout your degree, you'll receive support, guidance and constructive feedback to allow you to develop to your full potential.
Assessment
We have a mixture of individual and group assessments. These include written work, presentations or demonstrations, and exams (closed and/or time-limited assessment). They combine theoretical understanding with practical application and are designed to test the range of skills and competencies required for the learning outcomes of each module. The balance of assessment types varies according to the options chosen. Additionally, there’s an individual project which is assessed through a combination of written work and demonstration or presentation.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2.
Degree Subject
Any subject area provided your application demonstrates an interest in Cyber Security. Some optional modules require previous knowledge and experience in programming. Students without prior programming experience are strongly encouraged to study Applications Programming to provide them with the underpinning they will need for the rest of the course. Please check the course modules and content carefully to ensure the programme meets your needs and future career aspirations and requirements.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Successful applicants will demonstrate an interest in cyber security, as well as proven communication and problem solving skills.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject area provided your application demonstrates an interest in Cyber Security. Some optional modules require previous knowledge and experience in programming. Students without prior programming experience are strongly encouraged to study Applications Programming to provide them with the underpinning they will need for the rest of the course. Please check the course modules and content carefully to ensure the programme meets your needs and future career aspirations and requirements.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Successful applicants will demonstrate an interest in cyber security, as well as proven communication and problem solving skills.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
- UK Students: £12,950
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International Students: £27,000
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.