MSc Cloud and Network Security

• Normally, you should have successfully completed an honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject and have appropriate work experience.
• We'll be happy to consider your application if you have non-traditional entry qualifications and relevant experience or a suitable portfolio of work that we deem a reasonable substitute for the qualifications we typically accept for this course.
• We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• You’ll be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Computer networks underpin almost every aspect of modern business. Their successful management and oversight are crucial to a company's success, so graduates who can fulfil this role are highly sought-after by organisations in every sector. This course is for those wishing to pursue a career in the network and cyber security industries or take a leading technical or managerial role in a data-dependent organisation.

This course covers some of the security issues that affect fixed and wireless networks and some of the solutions used to address them. It will also support you to develop key employability skills such as teamwork, time management, analysing and solving problems, retrieval of information and communication skills.

It's important to remember that the field of cloud computing and network security changes very rapidly. Technologies will change, and the global industry will adopt new developments, languages and devices throughout your career. Learning how to learn is the most important skill you can acquire.

What can I do with this qualification?

As a graduate of this master's degree, you could pursue a career in network and internet security, network development, or technical support. Other possible areas of employment include network engineering, management, telecommunications engineering, and crime and computer forensics.

This postgraduate course offers valuable skills that will support you in developing your career. As a graduate, you'll be able to seek more senior managerial roles in the IT sector or take advantage of a wide range of other opportunities in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

You may also pursue further study in a specialist field or research at the doctoral level. If you're interested in studying for a PhD, please discuss this with our tutors, as we may be able to support your aspirations by supervising you at the doctoral level.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some examples include:

• Information management
• Digital communications
• Mobile communications
• Cyber security
• Teaching and education
• Consultancy
• Research and development
• Software project management
• Commerce
• Electrical engineering
• Quality management
• Public services and local government
• Self-employment

Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £8,496 for the academic year 2024/25.

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £15,950 for the academic year 2024/25.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2019-2020 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.

We use online, blended and face-to-face learning and teaching methods to give you the best possible chance of success. During your studies, you'll be expected to participate in lectures, seminars, tutorials and critiques. You'll also experience laboratory and workshop sessions and undertake self-directed learning, e-learning, and online sessions.

You'll have the chance to acquire and enhance your practical skills through technical introductions and support, workshop sessions, demonstrations, and activity-based assignments.

We'll provide regular written feedback on your work, with assessments usually completed by the end of each module. Assessment is varied and can include methods such as assignments, projects, exams, and presentations. Most of your overall grade will be based on coursework.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Professional Practice
• Research Methods
• Penetration Testing and Forensics
• Cloud Solutions and Implementation
• InfoSec
• DevOps
• Enterprise Network Architecture
• Project

Assessment methods

Learning activities

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.