MSc Cyber Security

Program Overview

LJMU's Cyber Security MSc is designed for individuals seeking advanced training in this in-demand field. Emphasizing practical skills and research-informed knowledge, the program equips students with the tools and technologies necessary to protect computer systems, networks, and digital information from unauthorized access and destruction. Graduates are highly sought after in various industries, with a 96% employment or further study rate.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

LJMU's Cyber Security MSc is designed for students with computing and related experience who want to advance their studies in this in-demand field. The program is based on the latest research and informed by industry liaison. It aligns with the Government's professional practitioner benchmark for Cyber Security Masters-level study.

Objectives:

• Enhance scientific, engineering, and technical skills.
• Gain knowledge and practical skills for a career in Cyber Security.
• Benefit from the support of a personal tutor throughout studies.

Description:

The program focuses on protecting computers, networks, critical infrastructure, smartphones, smart objects, software, and digital information from unauthorized access, change, or destruction. It equips students with advanced skills in the theory, practice, tools, and applications necessary for a career in Cyber Security. The program is developed through extensive communication with industry and government, and the School maintains a regular industrial liaison panel.

Outline:

Structure:

• Full-time, one-year program.
• Attendance required on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, and Thursday afternoons.

Modules:

Core Modules:

• Research Methods (20 credits): Develops knowledge of effective and academic research design at Masters level.
Covers literature reviews, theory, writing strategies, citation, ethical considerations, and qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method data approaches.
• Computer Security (20 credits): Provides fundamental technical concepts and research issues essential for computer security.
Covers threats to and security requirements of computer systems, tools and techniques to enforce security, security threats and vulnerabilities, security technologies, and current research issues.
• Network Security (20 credits): Explores security vulnerabilities and threats to computer networks, emphasizing the importance of network security.
Covers security issues and solutions to network protection, security technologies, and security techniques.
• Project Dissertation (60 credits): Develops the ability to plan, execute, and report on a major investigation.
• Ethical Hacking (20 credits): Provides understanding of security vulnerabilities, cyber threats, ethical hacking tools, penetration testing techniques, network forensics, intrusion analysis, and threat intelligence gathering.
• Secure Systems (20 credits): Familiarizes students with common system security techniques, tools, and methods used during design, deployment, and maintenance of systems.

Assessment:

• Coursework and examinations.
• Laboratory and project work.
• Reports and presentations.

Teaching:

• Range of approaches to learning, with peer and tutor feedback encouraged.
• Workshop activities and tutor support facilitate formative feedback.

Careers:

• High employability record with 96% of graduates in work or further study six months after graduation.
• Skills are highly sought after by companies employing ethical hackers, secure software developers, computer security consultants, network or system administrators, and data analysts.
• Potential career fields include data mining, security applications development, police, intelligence, security or computer forensics initiatives, network security management, and education.

Other:

• The program is taught at the Byrom Street site in the City Campus, which has recently enjoyed a £6 million investment.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities, including over 150 high-performance computers, a Game Technology Lab, a Computer Forensics Lab, two Multimedia Labs, a Distance Learning Lab, and specialist labs for research on network security and networked appliances.

| Fees | Tuition Fees | Currency | | --- | --- | --- | | Home full-time per year | £9,370 | N/A | | International full-time per year | £18,250 | N/A |