A Guide to Computer Forensics Courses

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. This specialisation can influence the area in which you choose to work after you have graduated. Common specialisations include:

• Computer Systems Security
• Forensic Digital Evidence
• Computer Networks
• Information Engineering
• Cryptography
• Big Data and Cloud Forensics

If your degree requires you to write a dissertation, this will give you the opportunity to further research and explore a favoured area of computer forensics.

The accreditation of your degree will depend on where you choose to study. Different countries can have different accreditation systems. Typically, you can expect to be awarded a Bachelor of Science (BSc), or an integrated Master of Computing (MComp).

Some university degrees are accredited by professional bodies, such as the British Computer Society (BCS), which means that you would graduate as a Chartered Information Technology Practitioner (CITP). It might be required by future employers that you gain extra professional or academic qualifications.

Generally, an undergraduate degree in computer forensics will take three to four years to complete. Foundation degrees, diplomas and certificates can last up to two years, when studied full-time.

Once you have successfully completed your degree, you can choose to either seek employment in your chosen area, or further your studies. Continuation of your studies could be in the form of a postgraduate degree, such as a masters or PhD, or a graduate diploma or certificate.

The entry requirements for a computer forensics degree will depend on your institution. Some universities might require you to sit an entrance exam, where others may rely on previous exam results. Some universities may prefer you to have studied certain subjects, and others might consider previous relevant work experience.

You should check each institution to see what entry requirements they have for their computer forensics programmes.

• UK – 6.0 IELTS
• US – 3.0 GPA

Tuition fees for international students are not fixed. This means that they can vary greatly from institution to institution. You should make sure that you are aware of how much your course will cost you.

You may be eligible for a scholarship or funding. This could be awarded by your institution, or by a separate funding body. For more information, visit our scholarships and funding section.

The most common destination for computer forensics graduates is to work as a computer forensic investigator. This role could be within different industries. You might choose to work with the authorities, the military, intelligence agencies, private security firms, or finance and banking companies. Alternatively, you could become self-employed, and offer your services as a consultant.

The wide range of skills you will have gained throughout your degree will mean that your employment opportunities will be varied. Skills gained might include effective communication, time management, project management, data processing, and the ability to deal with delicate and confidential data.