100% online MSc Computer Science with Cyber Security

Unlock your potential in a cyber security career. Study an online MSc with a university rated 5-star for teaching and with internationally excellent research

Apply By 31 December 2024

To Start 7 January 2025

180 credits •
Complete within 12 months •
£6,983 total fees •
Internationally Excellent Research

Why Sunderland?

100% online MSc – complete within 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
5 star rating for teaching, inclusiveness, employability and facilities*
Learn programming languages including Python, R, CISCO and Oracle
Top 40 UK University**
70% of university research rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’***
£6,983 total fees, option to pay £582 per module

*QS Stars World University Rankings 2023
**Guardian University Guide 2025
***Research Excellence Framework 2021

A flexible online cyber security master's for aspirational individuals from a wide range of professionals backgrounds

Because of the flexible design of the online master’s degree, it can be studied around work and family commitments, and indeed this is precisely why many of our students choose to study online. The course can be studied from anywhere in the world, opening it up to a global audience and meaning that you never need to attend campus.

If you opt to study part-time, you can complete the programme within 24 months, continue working and earn whilst you learn, avoiding a study break. If you opt to study full-time, you can complete the programme within 12 months and start progressing towards your career goals sooner.

You will learn and interact within a carefully built online learning environment, a community of online students collaborating via discussion boards, forums and group learning activities. Because of the global reach of the online programme, you will learn with professionals based all over the world, an exciting opportunity to increase the number of contacts within your global professional network.

You will be allocated a dedicated Student Success Coordinator, who will continuously offer you with targeted support throughout your studies, from enrolment through to graduation.

Learn from academics recognised for excellence in teaching and research

One of the most compelling reasons to study a computer science master’s at the University of Sunderland is the University’s nationally recognised excellence in teaching and research. The University of Sunderland received the Silver award in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the ‘very high quality’ of the teaching and learning (TEF 2023).

We have been ranked internationally as a leading university, receiving five stars for teaching, inclusiveness, employability and facilities in the QS World University Rankings 2023, the highest rating that can be awarded to a university. A special recognition of our practical focus on developing the skills that enable career progression for our students all over the world.

What will you study?

Studying the online MSc Computer Science with Cyber Security, you will gain expertise in core cyber security topics which will enable you to determine, establish, maintain and create resilient cyber security solutions for information systems security. Fundamental computing topics will be covered which will equip you with practical skills in subjects such as networking, databases, software engineering and usability.

You will also learn programming languages including Python, R, CISCO and Oracle.

Key knowledge and skills taught on this course:

Cyber security fundamentals
Cyber security and user experience design
Cyber resilience
Data science
Computer science principles and practice
Computer architectures
Secure database system development
Networking
Software engineering

A flexible online master’s course design for individuals with competing time pressures

Because of the flexible design of the online master’s degree, it can be studied around work and family commitments, and indeed this is precisely why many of our students choose to study online. You can continue to work in your current role and apply the knowledge and skills that you develop, earning whilst you learn rather than putting your career on hold. The course can be studied from anywhere in the world, opening it up to a global audience and meaning that you never need to attend campus.

You will be allocated a dedicated Student Success Coordinator, who will continuously offer you with targeted support throughout your studies, from enrolment through to graduation.

A University with global values that promotes diversity of thought

There is a high percentage of international students at University of Sunderland, and we have students studying by distance learning around the world. Sunderland is also one of the UK’s leading widening participation Universities and is 7th in the UK for social inclusion (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).

This reflects the global outlook, culture and capabilities of the University. With campuses in Hong Kong, Sunderland and London, as well as many global partnerships including in the Caribbean, Greece, Kenya, Malaysia, Lanka, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tashkent and Vietnam, the way we approach learning is focused on encouraging diverse learner cohorts within a close knit learning environment whereby fellow students and professionals from different backgrounds can work closely with each other and learn from different cultures and perspectives. This provides students with a broader set of insights that engenders a richer and more meaningful learning experience.

Admission requirements

Applicants must be of age 19 and above and should have or be about to complete:

At least a UK 2.2 undergraduate degree

A UK master’s degree (or international equivalent)

A third-class honours degree or an ordinary degree (without honours) or UK equivalent professional qualification with a minimum of two years’ appropriate work experience

Applicants who do not hold a recognised degree will be asked to provide evidence which demonstrates a minimum of three years’ relevant organisational experience

The work experience must be at a graduate level, in either a managerial or professional capacity which may include voluntary work, placements, internships, or project management

Fees

Total course fees: £6,983
Per 15-credit module fee: £582

If you are based in the UK, you may be eligible for a government-backed postgraduate loan to cover the full costs of the course.

In addition, if you have successfully completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Sunderland, you are eligible for a 10% tuition fees reduction on our postgraduate programmes.

You pay tuition fees for each module taken, either module-by-module or in full at the start of your course.

If you pay module-by-module, you will pay in instalments of £582.

Modules

Computer Science Principles and Practice

The module introduces you to the foundational principles and concepts of computer science upon which the rest of your programme is built. You will learn about the traditional concepts, techniques and notation in the subject with both a practical and theoretical basis. Starting with the birth of counting systems in ancient civilisations and transitioning through to the present day you will explore several key themes including number theory, algorithms, Boolean algebra, logic, state machines, sets, functions, graphs and trees. Thus you will understand the development of the discipline as an academic subject as well as its social, ethical and professional impact and implications in today’s digital world.

Cyber security Essentials

In this module you will learn how to analyse and evaluate the principles of cybersecurity, considering the concepts of risk, threats, vulnerabilities and attack vectors in systems security, information security and operational security. You will explore a range of governance and management topics which will enable you to determine, establish and maintain appropriate governance, delivery and creation of cybersecurity solutions for information security and systems security. You will learn to analyse the range of trade-offs in balancing the security properties of confidentiality, integrity and availability and the usability demands of computer and information systems. You will examine and evaluate the processes, procedures and protocols required to implement secure, reliable and effective systems security and identify suitable metrics to quantify and measure levels of security.

You will be introduced to information assessment methodologies such as ISO27001/2 and information risk management frameworks and standards, such as CHECK. You will also see the wide spectrum of tools and techniques which can be used to manage the operation of cybersecurity in a range of domains including internet security, network security, systems security and application security.

Cyber security and User Experience Design

This module combines the two themes of cyber security and usability. These themes often appear contradictory but their goals interact in complex ways that present trade-offs and challenges both within software design and security policies within organisations and the commercial sector.
You are introduced to research challenges in the areas of usable security through a survey of past and recent research in usable cyber security. You will then examine, in detail, the nature of usability and the user experience, as it applies to cyber security, the impact of user psychology, user models, usage contents and usability evaluation techniques. After establishing this important contextual understanding you will go on to examine key challenges within usable cyber security such as cyber-security awareness and training.

Cyber Resilience

Data Science Principles

This module provides you with a sound understanding of data science and data analysis. The general data science lifecycle (collect, clean, analyse, share, and act) will be used to integrate the skills and knowledge that you learn into a coherent whole. In this module you will learn how to tackle different types of data, and how to fuse more than one dataset together. You will develop an understanding of the core mathematical models, statistical analyses, and the principles and framework for intelligent analytics on a variety of datasets, making use of modern data science and data analytics platforms and languages. You will also examine techniques and tools for presenting and visualisation.

Computer Architectures and Networks

This module examines the basic architectures of a modern-day computer system. It covers the functions and operations of all the key principle hardware and software elements as well as considering the many different types of computer systems available. This module also examines the fundamentals and concepts behind computer communications. This includes networking hardware, network physical and logical addressing, network topologies, network structured design, configuration and troubleshooting, protocols, and local and wide area network technologies. The module also teaches the fundamentals of the basic security of networks and network devices.

Software Engineering

In this module you will develop the essential knowledge and skills to design, implement and evaluate complex object-oriented software artefacts by using a range of appropriate software engineering methodologies. You will learn to use an industry standard language development environment, primarily in Python language, and learn a range of conceptual design tools to effectively specify, visualise and document a complex software architecture.

Secure Database Systems

This module provides you with the ability to design and develop secure database systems using relational and advanced database technology. You will explore the fundamental topics of databases including data models, database selection, database design, security, integrity, transaction management, database performance, and client-server and web-based database architectures. You will also examine advanced database topics such as database security, big data systems, data warehousing, NoSQL, and NewSQL systems. The module focuses on how traditional and web-based database and information systems can be developed with cybersecurity as a fundamental design and development issue. You will learn how to develop secure database systems through developing SQL code and through database programming by, for example, creating stored procedures, cursors and triggers using a DBMS such as Oracle or Postgres.

Research Project Proposal

In this module you will learn about research and the processes involved in designing and carrying out research, developing your ideas to create a project proposal. The module is designed to give you flexibility in developing your proposal, enabling you to explore a work-based problem or one that is driven by your own research experience and interests. The module prepares you for your project in exploring and applying research, technical and grey literature for your area of interest and in formulating appropriate research questions. It will enable you to investigate and define the relationship between question, methodology and method in your project. You will also consider relevant legal, ethical, professional and social issues for your proposed project. The outcome of this module is an extended proposal for your project.

Research Project Management

In this module you will learn about planning and managing your research project from inception to completion. You will explore research project management methods, techniques and tools, applying them to your project proposal and creating an implementation and delivery plan. You will learn how to develop and apply a research design and how to plan and implement the delivery, considering risks and developing mitigation strategies to reduce these. You will investigate research methods to enable you to assess and evaluate your project outcomes and findings. The module is designed to give you flexibility in developing your project plans and research management, enabling you to explore a work-based problem or one that is driven by your own research experience and interests. It prepares you for execution of your project by providing research management and methods to enable you to plan and structure all stages of your project.

Research Project (30 credits)

In this module you will undertake a research project presenting your results in both written and oral forms. Your project will involve a significant piece of independent research exploring the forefront of your programme discipline. The module is designed to give you flexibility, enabling you to explore a work-based problem or one that is driven by your own research experience and interests. You will implement an artefact that involves practical activities related to your area of interest, such as implementing software, creating strategies and policies or analysing datasets to provide insights. You will execute your research project from inception to final evaluation, incorporating reflection and dissemination. You will consider and address the professional, ethical, legal and social issues related to your project. You will apply your expertise, project management and practical skills within your particular domain, demonstrating critical and innovative thinking and problem solving within a research context.