Master of Science in Cybersecurity
MSc (Online)
Step into one of today’s most critical fields with a master’s designed to make you industry-ready from day one. Gain hands-on experience in cyber risk management, software security, and strategic decision-making—all while working on real-world consultancy projects and collaborative challenges. Study a curriculum aligned with ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, and ISC2 standards and graduate with globally recognised certifications.
September, January, May
Apply now for any date
Online, distance learning
24/7 access to study materials
Two years (part-time)
Flexible distance learning
£11,500
Tuition fee loans available for eligible UK students
Why choose this programme
Industry-relevant curriculum: Gain real-world cybersecurity expertise with a programme shaped by Aston’s Industrial Advisory Board, which ensures you graduate with the skills employers demand.
Expand your professional network: Get free membership to Aston’s Computer Science Industry Club, which will give you direct access to recruiters and top tech leaders.
Develop real-world consultancy skills: Work on real-world cybersecurity projects through the Cyber Security Project module, which will help you build practical expertise and confidence in solving real business challenges.
Practical cybersecurity training: Design, test, and enhance software while working in teams, ensuring you gain first-hand experience in preparing cybersecurity solutions for real-world application.
Aligned with industry standards: The curriculum teaches industry benchmarks such as ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials, providing in-demand skills and globally respected credentials that set you apart in the job market.
Plan your future with expert guidance: The Aston Global Advantage module helps you develop a personalised career plan, master job search strategies, and refine interview techniques.
Top-ranked institution: Aston is #12 in the UK for Computer Science – Guardian University Guide, 2025, giving you global recognition and career credibility.
Flexibility: Study anytime, anywhere—with no compulsory live lectures or fixed schedules. Focus on one module and one assessment at a time, allowing for deep learning while balancing work and personal commitments.
Supportive community: Learn within a small cohort and receive personalised support at every stage of your journey. With a globally inclusive learning environment, you’ll never feel like you're studying alone.
Programme overview
Effective cyber risk management is essential for organisations in an increasingly digital world. The Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSc) Online from Aston University empowers you to safeguard data security, business continuity, compliance, reputation, and financial stability in the face of evolving threats.
Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, you will understand cyber threats deeply and develop the skills to become strategic decision-makers.
The programme fosters proactive risk mitigation, adaptation to emerging threats, and implementation of robust security measures.
Advance your career in cybersecurity, gain valuable skills at your own pace, and become a key contributor to organisational success.
You will emerge as a leader in protecting organisational interests within the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
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What you will learn
- Develop a specialist skill set: You will be provided with the necessary background to understand, develop and apply key concepts, techniques, frameworks and best practices in cybersecurity across technology, systems, people, processes, organisations, and society.
- Acquire knowledge of methods and practices: Acquire knowledge of research methods, practical methodologies, and theoretical approaches for developing research in the field of cybersecurity.
- Gain an understanding of cyber resilience and privacy: Get to grips with current and emerging topics, challenges, and research questions in cyber resilience and privacy, covering diverse angles such as enterprise, industrial, community, and personal perspectives.
- Apply and communicate cybersecurity concepts: Be prepared to apply and communicate cybersecurity principles, practices, and codes of practice to a multidisciplinary project in industrial, workplace, consulting, and/or research-led environments, and across legal, social, cultural, environmental, and ethical dimensions.
- Prepare students for the professional environment: Contextualise your learning within workplace practice and empower yourself with professional-level transferable skills.
Flexible payment plans and funding options
Check your eligibility
Complete a quick questionnaire to check your eligibility before applying.
We are University of the Year for Student Success 2025
The Daily Mail University Guide 2025
It’s been an exciting time at Aston University, with amazing new achievements that highlight our teaching excellence, outstanding student outcomes, and strong performance in global and UK rankings. Here are just a few highlights:
- Aston University has been named the University of the Year for Student Success 2025 in the new Daily Mail University Guide.
- We are ranked 21st in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
- Aston University is 2nd in the country for Social Mobility (Higher Education Policy Institute).
And that’s just the beginning. Watch our video to discover more.
21st in the UK
The Guardian University Guide 2025
I had always wanted to go back to studying but couldn’t justify stopping work. Studying online gave me the flexibility to work whenever I needed to on my downtime from work and I could do it from anywhere! This helped as I frequently travelled abroad during my programme, but it didn’t impact my studies!
Career prospects
Our Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSc) Online will equip you with the knowledge and skill set for high-demand positions in cybersecurity. The programme will take you through a series of practical simulations and analysis of authentic cases to assist in your development expertise in digital forensics, risk management and cyber governance, ensuring you are well-prepared for strategic cybersecurity challenges.
Graduates often find success in the following roles:
Cybersecurity consultant: Identify and evaluate security issues and implement solutions to address threats to a company's computer networks and systems.
Information security analyst: Determine improvements for security policies and protocols through the study of computer networks and systems.
Cybersecurity manager: Coordinate operations across the network and manage systems and networks that facilitate those operations.
Security architect: Design and implement secure systems, networks, and applications to protect a company’s digital assets.
Programme structure
Providing a diverse range of computing skills, our Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSc) Online programme equips you to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity in today's digital world. Delivered entirely online, this programme allows you to gain valuable skills and knowledge at your own pace, fitting your studies around your busy schedule. Each credit of study is equivalent to 10 learning hours. For example, 30 credits reflect 300 hours of learning.
Modules
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Information security assurance and practice'%3e%3cpath%20d='M11%2013H5V11H11V5H13V11H19V13H13V19H11V13Z'%20fill='%231C1B1F'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
30 credits
Cybersecurity is a multi-skilled, cross-discipline area, with a fast-evolving landscape. It combines complex technologies and techniques, encompasses people and processes, and has societal frameworks constraining action. This module sets these dimensions while offering background knowledge in preparation for topic modules. Furthermore, it develops consulting skills by offering you the opportunity to develop a software product which is then secured using best practices.
Security operations and privacy
30 credits
Cybersecurity operations are typically viewed as a cycle of preparation, action, monitoring, and correction. This module focuses on monitoring systems, processes, and people to enable an effective reaction to malicious activity. Furthermore, focus will be given to managing data assets from the privacy and data protection perspectives.
Software security and ethical hacking
30 credits
Software security and ethical hacking concerns offensive security, both from the perspective of developing secure software and a testing approach to securing systems. You will learn the techniques and strategies associated with secure products while being prepared for a potential future professional certification.
Secure and resilient systems
30 credits
While cybersecurity is a human-centred activity, it stems from complex technology. Therefore, securely designing and operating computer systems necessitates technical knowledge about their building blocks and how they integrate. This module will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to technically understand and secure modern systems, whether as individual components (cryptography, authentication/authorisation, service discovery, etc.), as part of a system, or as systems-of-systems. The module will cover a wide range of patterns and systems such as IT, web, mobile, and virtualised/cloud systems, Internet-of-Things (IoT), Industrial IoT (including SCADA, industrial control systems, and wider operational technologies), and distributed ledgers (such as blockchains).
Learning outcomes
- Evaluate the current landscape and challenges in cybersecurity within a societal context, as informed by academic research and professional practice.
- Critique current research and advanced scholarship in cybersecurity and, where appropriate, propose new approaches, methodologies, techniques, technologies, or systems.
- Interpret the changing cyber landscape in professional cybersecurity, taking into consideration the interrelationships of people, institutions, organisations, processes, systems, technology, regulations, ethics, and sustainability.
- Design cybersecurity programmes using appropriate techniques, principles, and theories.
- Evaluate cybersecurity weaknesses, vulnerabilities, threats, and systems of incentives within a complex set of stakeholders, technical systems and development processes.
- Recommend appropriate mitigation and control strategies that can meet desired levels of risk and operational efficiency while meeting technical, organisational, and compliance constraints.
- Embed resilience, dependability, privacy and trustworthiness by considering devices, components, software, data, human interfaces, networks, systems, systems-of-systems and socio-technical systems.
Modules
Aston global advantage and research methods
30 credits
Access a transformational opportunity to work within inclusive teams to investigate, develop, and propose a novel, digital, data-driven, entrepreneurial AI-enabled, software-based solution to a real-world business challenge and prepare you for your major project.
Major project
30 credits
You will have the opportunity to undertake a major individual project. They can be undertaken in various settings, fields and disciplines subject to meeting the intended learning outcomes, and must be consistent with the discipline studied. Through this module, you will have the opportunity to showcase your knowledge and skills from past experiences. You will produce a substantial piece of individual work that forms the capstone project of the MSc.
The programme aims to:
- Provide a broad computing-based foundation with an emphasis on security that cuts across a range of cybersecurity specialisations.
- Produce graduates who possess essential cybersecurity knowledge and skills.
- Produce graduates who have high ethical and professional values.
- Produce graduates who are highly attractive to employers and well-prepared for a rewarding career as cybersecurity professionals, adaptable to a wide range of employment opportunities.
- Enable students to enhance their career preparation through a period of structured professional training.
*We may update our programmes to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our programme webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.
Is this programme right for you?
- You are a working IT professional with a strong foundation in computer science or a related field, looking to specialise in cybersecurity.
- You are interested in understanding cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and defence mechanisms comprehensively.
- You are interested in a flexible online programme that can fit around your work and personal commitments.
- You want to develop the practical skills to identify, analyse, and respond to cyberattacks.
- You are looking for a programme that combines a strong theoretical foundation with practical applications, and that provides opportunities to work on real-world cybersecurity projects.
- You are a self-motivated learner who is comfortable working with complex technologies and security concepts.
Entry requirements
One of the following:
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A UK 2:2 (lower second-class honours) degree in a numerate, technical or scientific subject.
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Equivalent international degree recognised by Aston University. Click here for more information or contact our Admissions Team to check your eligibility: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk.
*Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.
International students:
Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. You can check qualifications in your country here, including equivalent qualifications from Africa, America, Australia, North East Asia, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and Western and Central Asia. Contact our Admissions Team for a consultation before applying: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk.
Alternative entry requirements:
We take a holistic approach to evaluating applications and accept applications from candidates with relevant work experience who still need to complete a graduate qualification. Contact our Admissions Team for a consultation before applying: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk.
Additional requirements:
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If you are a current student or recent graduate (within the last 2–3 years), we will ask for an academic reference.
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If you are currently employed and not a recent graduate, we will ask for a professional reference.
English language requirements:
You must meet the university's English language requirements to be accepted into our programmes. We aim to make your application process as easy as possible. However, in all cases, we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and/or conduct an interview.
We accept a wide range of English language qualifications, including:
IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic Online
IELTS One Skill Retake
TOEFL and TOEFL iBT
Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital)
Pearson Academic (PTE)
Password Test
Language Cert International ESOL SELT
Kaplan Test of English (KTE)
Cambridge Advanced Test (CAE)
Cambridge Proficiency Test (CPE)
Tests must have been taken within the last two years from the start date of the programme you are applying to.
Find out if you qualify
If you have any questions about your eligibility or the application process, please get in touch with the Aston Online Admissions Team:
Email: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk
Call: +44 (0) 121 824 6374
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00 GMT
FAQs
What are the benefits of studying your Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSc) Online programme?
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We equip you with the strategic thinking and practical skills needed to lead proactive risk mitigation, adapt to emerging threats, and implement robust security measures, blending theoretical knowledge with real-world applications to safeguard organisational interests in an increasingly digital world. You will emerge as a leader in protecting organisational interests within the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
How does your curriculum address emerging cybersecurity threats such as AI-driven attacks?
Our curriculum addresses emerging cybersecurity threats by focusing on current and evolving topics. Within modules like Security Operations and Privacy, you will explore advanced areas such as AI-driven attacks.
What kind of support is available if I need help with more technical aspects of studying online?
We offer dedicated tutors who provide guidance and support, along with access to comprehensive student support services. Additionally, you’ll have full access to Adobe Creative Cloud tools to aid in multimedia content creation and presentations, further enhancing your technical skills.
How will I be assessed?
You will engage in a variety of regular formative and timetabled summative assessment activities, where assessment modes and formats closely mirror relevant professional and industry contexts.
- Formative assessment set by the module content will include short tasks, quiz-format tests, and production of outcomes to check knowledge and competence.
- A combination of tutor-graded practical coursework assignments, projects, and automated assessment formats will be used to provide a structured summative assessment for each module.
- In all assessments, online students will benefit from detailed assessment rubrics provided from the beginning of the module to guide their effort and achievement.
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