This Master's degree focuses on preventing and prosecuting digital crime by developing IT skills for a global business environment. Students will study cyber security and forensic information technology, with a focus on protecting data and systems from cyber threats, as well as identifying and gathering digital evidence of criminal behavior. They will learn how hackers operate, how to prevent or battle them, and how to provide evidence to police or court officials. In computer labs and forensic facilities, students will infect virtual devices with viruses, defeat anti-forensic programs, and stage pretend arrests of cybercriminals. Graduates will enter a market with a high demand for educated cyber security and forensic information technology specialists, with half of organizations recognizing a skills shortfall in these areas.
University of Portsmouth
MSc Cyber Security and Forensic Information Technology
Entry Requirements
An upper second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, including Computer Sciences, Legal or Social Sciences, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
CGPA-3.20 /4.00
Career Prospects
This Master's program provides graduates with critical skills for the UK Government's £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy, which aims to keep the country's status as a responsible and democratic cyber power. The curriculum focuses on two areas, preparing graduates to work in both preventing digital crime and investigating and prosecuting perpetrators. They can work in a variety of settings, including law enforcement, IT auditing, information security, high-tech crime units, commercial investigation, national security agencies, systems administration, and security analysis. The program also provides the opportunity for advanced research at the PhD level.
Course Details
Master's degrees are a more specialized and specialized field than undergraduate degrees, requiring more time for independent study and research. The course structure includes three years for part-time students, 12 months for full-time students starting in September, and 16 months for full-time students starting in January. Teaching time is typically 10 hours per week, including lectures and tutorials, with the rest for work experience or self-guided study. Independent study is 15-20 hours per week, depending on the modules being studied.
Master's study is deeper and more specialized than undergraduate degrees, allowing students to focus on a topic that matters to them and their career. Assessments include written assignments, presentations, group and individual lab-based assessments, and dissertation/project. Students can test their skills and knowledge informally before submitting assessments that count towards their final mark.
Term dates for Master's courses vary, with September starting from September and ending in September, with breaks at Christmas and Easter. January-start courses typically run between 14-18 months, beginning in January and ending in spring/summer of the following year. In the last few months, students will be writing their project/dissertation.
In summary, Master's degrees offer a deeper and more specialized experience, with more time for independent study and research.
Course Modules
Core Modules
Computer Forensic Investigation and Cryptography - 30 credits
Mobile Forensics Issues and Practice - 30 credits
Systems Security and Hacking - 30 credits
Masters Project computer science - 60 credits
Optional Modules
Big Data and Machine Learning Applications - 30 credits
Business Intelligence - 15 credits
Cloud Computing - 30 credits
Data Visualisation and Exploring Analytics - 15 credits
Network Services and Cyber Security - 30 credits
The Global Landscape of Cybersecurity - 30 credits
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