MSc Cyber Security (Software Security)

New approaches to building software, such as continuous delivery and deployment, cloud reliance for scalability, and Open Source, have led to an unprecedented speed of technological innovations. Modern software is also at the centre of our large-scale, complex and intermeshed systems that now pervade society from energy production to finance through to healthcare and smart transportation. This new software ecosystem has also given rise to new forms of security threats, malware and system vulnerabilities. There is also now a heightened need from end-users, regulators and other stakeholders for accountability, privacy, and demonstrable and effective data protection measures from developers. The consequence is an increased worldwide demand for software security experts who are able to understand the security challenges that modern software brings and offer strong solutions to mitigate harm to valuable software-enabled infrastructures. There is a major shortage of software security experts with the skills required to protect software-intensive businesses from disruption that can have large-scale impacts on society and massive business losses.

A strong ethos of rigorous experimental and empirical cybersecurity and privacy research underpins the MSc, facilitated by a state-of-the-art testbed for studying threats and vulnerabilities related to data flows in the software and its dependencies (supply chain), critical national infrastructure (CNI) and Internet of Things (IoT). Leveraging our bespoke teaching equipment, you'll learn to apply foundational software techniques necessary to protect often interdependent software systems and will develop the skills for engineering scalable solutions. You'll be exposed to real-world problems that are practical and challenge-oriented but underpinned by rigorous research.

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic engineering, Cyber Security, Information Security or Software Engineering. Other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants from other related subjects are required to have studied modules relevant to the programme at minimum of 60%, or international equivalent: Relevant Modules: Algorithms Cloud Native Systems Computer Security Continuous Integration Continuous Deployment/Delivery (CICD) Data Privacy/Security Data Structures Databases/Structured/Unstructured Databases DevOps JavaScript Network Security Operating Systems Programming (1 from the list below) Requirements Engineering Secure Coding Service Orientated Architectures Software Maintenance Software Analysis Software Architecture Software Design Software Development Software Process Software Security Software Tools Structured Programming System Security Systems Analysis Systems Development Systems Engineering Systems Programming Unstructured Programming Web applications Suitable Programming modules (One module from this list): Ansible Assembly Language C/C ++ Cloud Computing Docker Java Kubernetes Machine Learning Fundamentals Object Orientated Programming Parallel Programming Problem Solving & Programming Programming Fundamentals Programming Lab Python Scala Serverless computing Shell Scripting Terrafoam MATLAB, FORTRAN, Basic or Visual Basic will not be considered suitable for this programme. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: evidence of significant, relevant work experience with a minimum of two years (full or part-time) experience within a computer science or electronic/electrical engineering role or as a software developer. Examples include software testers (especially penetration testing), technical role in cybersecurity, system engineer, security officer, data protection officer, information officer, product manager; a relevant postgraduate qualification. IELTS Academic (at a test centre or online)-6.5 overall with 7.0 in reading and writing, with no score below 6.0 TOEFL iBT and TOEFL at Home-89 overall with R24, L20, S21, W24