Cybercrime and Digital Investigation MSc

As our lives become increasingly digitised the scope and potential impact of cybercrime is becoming ever broader. In both the business and personal worlds, cyber criminals have the ability to cause considerable harm from remote locations, with numerous industry reports* estimating that the global cost of cybercrime has grown to rival that of the illegal drugs trade. From financial theft to child abuse, cybercrime can take many forms, and the need for skilled professionals capable of tackling these problems will only grow as smart, connected devices increasingly become the norm.

Why study MSc Cybercrime and Digital Investigation at Middlesex University?

This master's degree is designed to provide you with an understanding of the criminological, legal and research context of cybercrime. Furthermore, it aims to equip you with an understanding of computing skills and capabilities that will help to respond to online threats to personal information as well as to organisational environments.

This makes it the ideal postgraduate qualification for students and professionals seeking a specialist role in a community or support service environment, such as victim support services, the police force, child protection, offender services, as well as corporate environments where there is a need to prevent and respond to cybercrime and issues related to online safety.

Middlesex is home to some of the UK's foremost authorities on cybercrime and cyber safety. Among them is Dr Elena Martellozzo, who is currently co-leading a project on the use of online pornography funded by the NSPCC and the OCC and has recently worked with the Metropolitan Police to advance internet investigators' performance through the understanding of children and sex offenders' online activities.

Course highlights

• You will be taught by leading experts working in the field of online safety and child protection
• Learn how cyber criminals seek to take advantage of internet systems and ways of preventing these crimes from happening
• Gain specialist skills and knowledge in a relevant and increasingly essential area of criminology, with many employment opportunities

• A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject (i.e. criminology; social sciences)
• We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications
• Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate three years' relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

• IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification.

The MSc Cybercrime and Digital Investigation master's degree aims to develop social science graduates with the skills to respond to cybercrime and e-security challenges, including transnational crime, intellectual property, sexual offences, vulnerable victims, privacy legislation, and law. Potential career paths include policy development, corporate security, e-investigation, social media safety, anti-money laundering, safeguarding, data security, and business continuity. Major auditing firms have graduate entry programs that specifically identify criminology as a base qualification for applicants. Master's-level studies can facilitate career progression within organizations, and some students have pursued PhDs in criminology and psychology. The department's staff will work alongside the employability office to facilitate future career decisions. Students can learn more about their experience studying with Middlesex and the lessons they learned during their degree.