Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSc) Online
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSc) Online takes a deep dive into cyber risk management and strategic decision-making, giving you the skills to safeguard organisations from evolving cyber threats.
Study a flexible, affordable degree built for online learners. Aston University empowers you to enhance your employability and tackle real-world problems with a curriculum enriched by strong links to industry.
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 learners to safeguard data security, business continuity, compliance, reputation, and financial stability amid 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.
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences: The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) at Aston University is a hub of teaching and research excellence, engaging in collaborative and impactful research throughout our institutes and schools.
Top 25 UK University: Aston University is ranked 25th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide, 2024.
Runner Up for Graduate Employment: Aston University is the University of the Year Runner Up for Graduate Employment in The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2024. Aston University is ranked at 18 for graduate prospects and at 22 for continuation rate.
Outstanding earnings after graduation: The 2022 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data shows that employed Aston University graduates have the 16th largest median salary overall five years after graduation at £33,400.
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.
Why Study Online With Aston University?
Studying online through Aston University offers various advantages, making it an appealing choice for prospective students globally.
Flexibility and convenience – fit your studies into your work-life balance.
Built for online – interactive, engaging, and purpose-designed curriculum available 24/7.
Affordable – spread the cost, pay monthly or in instalments, and earn as you learn.
Supported – dedicated student support and online tutors.
Expert tutors – staff with industry experience and experts in their fields.
Empowering creativity – complimentary full access to Adobe Creative Cloud tools for developing dynamic multimedia content and presentations through video, graphics and audio.
Transparent pricing – apply for free, with no hidden costs.
Ready for work and life – rigorous academic standards and curriculum focusing on the skills sought by employers (for now and the future).
I’ve taken many things from Aston University that have helped me in my career
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.
Assessment types
The programme will be assessed through a combination of online examinations, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments.
Programme Structure
Our Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSc) Online 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.
Modules
Information Security Assurance and Practice
30 credits
Cybersecurity is a multiskill, 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.
At Aston University, we have an unwavering commitment to academic excellence
Entry Requirements
- A 2:2 Honours Degree or international equivalent in a numerate, technical or scientific subject.
- * English language skills are assessed during admissions. If we need evidence of your English language skills, we may ask you to take a recognised test, such as IELTS.
Additional requirements
- If you are a current student or recent graduate (within the last 2 - 3 years), we will ask for an academic reference.
- If you are currently employed and not a recent graduate, we will ask for a professional reference.
- An official academic transcript of your university grades to date.
- A completed application form.
Alternative entry requirements
We accept applications from candidates with relevant work experience who have not completed a graduate qualification.
We take a holistic approach in evaluating applications. The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this programme for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.
Please contact our Admissions Team for advice before applying at: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk
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, Americas, Australia, North East Asia, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and Western and Central Asia.
Have a question about our international entry requirements for online programmes? Email us at: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.
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
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