Computer Science (Cyber Security) (MSc)

Location: Canterbury

The Computer Science (Cyber Security) conversion course will give you the opportunity to establish a foundation in cyber security from technical and multidisciplinary perspectives. This is a conversion course intended for graduates with little or no prior knowledge of computer science. For those with prior knowledge of computer science, see our specialist MSc Cyber Security course. 

Cybercrime is a growing threat to society, democracy and organisations with increasing high profile cyber security cases in the news. This conversion course has been designed to meet the demands of organisations seeking to protect valuable data. This course will provide you with the key skills and knowledge in computer science and systems security to enhance your career prospects in identifying and solving complex security problems.

The University of Kent is recognised by the British Government as being an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research, meaning you will be taught by staff who are top researchers in this area.

It's possible to take this course with an additional industrial placement.

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• how to engineer software systems that satisfy the needs of customers, using a state-of-the art methodology and an industrially-relevant programming language
• a broad variety of advanced topics relating to computing/IT (the specific topics will depend on the optional modules you chose and may vary from year to year in response to developments in the field, staff changes etc)
• the theoretical foundations of computer science
• the architecture of computer systems including hardware components and operating systems in terms of their functionality, performance and interactions
• security vulnerabilities of computer systems and networks and the countermeasures used to address them
• the motivation, design, operation and management of modern systems for encryption, authentication and authorisation, including quality of service issues
• professional, legal, social, cultural and ethical issues related to your chosen field of computing
• information security management and information assurance methodologies
• information risk management, incident response, and business continuity planning and management
• pattern analysis and forensics. 

Intellectual Skills

You develop intellectual skills in:

• the ability to identify, analyse and formulate criteria and specifications appropriate to a given problem
• the ability to model problems and their solutions with an awareness of any tradeoffs involved
• the ability to evaluate systems, processes or methodologies in terms of general quality attributes and possible tradeoffs
• the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively
• the ability to work with self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems
• the ability to make sound judgements in the absence of complete data
• the ability to review a research paper or technical report critically and to present your findings to a group of peers
• the ability to plan and execute a substantial research or development-based project and to report the work in the form of a dissertation.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in:

• the ability to specify, design, implement and test computer-based systems
• the ability to deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of software
• the ability to undertake practical work that explores techniques covered in the programme and to analyse and comment on the findings.

Transferable skills

You gain the following transferable skills:

• the ability to plan, work and study independently and to use relevant resources in a manner that reflects good practice
• the ability to make effective use of general IT facilities, including information retrieval skills 
• time management and organisational skills, including the ability to manage your own learning and development
• an appreciation of the importance of continued professional development as part of lifelong learning
• the ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• the ability to communicate technical issues clearly to specialist and nonspecialist audiences
• the ability to present ideas, arguments and results in the form of a well-structured written report
• the ability to act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at professional or equivalent level.

This programme aims to:

• enhance the career prospects of graduates seeking employment in the computing/IT sector
• prepare you for research and/or professional practice at the forefront of the discipline
• develop an integrated and critically aware understanding of one or more areas of computing/IT and their applications (according to your degree title)
• develop a variety of advanced intellectual and transferable skills
• equip you with the lifelong learning skills necessary to keep abreast of future developments in the field.