Cyber Security

Cyber security is a topic of critical importance to commercial and academic organisations, as well as to governments and their citizens. Our Cyber Security programme, primarily aimed as a broadening qualification for computer science graduates, offers a multi-disciplinary perspective to the subject, giving students an excellent basis for a future career in the cyber security field.

There is currently a worldwide shortage of skilled practitioners in cyber security. In the UK, the National Audit Office recently named "addressing the UK's current and future ICT and cyber security skills gap" as a "key challenge", whilst at a time when cybercrime “as-a-service” is on a steep rise, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skill calls for companies to make of cyber security a Board level responsibility. Our MSc is specifically designed to give students a well-rounded, multi-disciplinary view of the subject area, embracing not only the technical subjects, but also aspects of criminology, risk management, law and social sciences. We believe a broad grounding in cyber security will give our students a key advantage in the marketplace.

Key Facts

• We are ranked in the top five universities in the UK for Computer Sciences and IT by the 2014 Guardian University Guide
• Southampton is ranked in the top 51-100 universities for Computer Science in the 2014 QS World Rankings
• Southampton University has pioneered many of the most important advances in computer science and web technology of the past 10 years
• Southampton is one of only eleven select universities recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) by the UK Government

Career opportunities

This programme provides an excellent platform for either immediate employment in the cyber security field or further research in industry or academia. Our graduates should not only understand technical aspects of cyber security, but also the broader context in which these sit.

Our students should be able to seek careers in:

• Established companies designing and marketing specific off-the-shelf security products (anti-viruses, anti-spam, software analysers, firewalls, etc.);
• Emerging cyber security professions embedded in companies and business of any sort. These include the expert figures required as companies are urged to take responsibility for the analysis of their cyber-threats and the design of their cyber-defences;

• A growing range of cyber security consultancy companies who study and analyse trends in cyber security and who provide advice to a wide range of clients;
• Professions for which cyber security plays a key role, and for which understanding the broader context is becoming increasingly important, e.g. the military, intelligence agencies, and crime prevention and investigation
• Government departments, e.g. in the UK the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BiS), who provide analysis and strategy advice for the UK and its businesses.

  Academic possibilities include further study towards a Ph.D. qualification, or research assistant positions undertaking cyber security related research.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory Modules

• COMP6224 Foundations of Cyber Security
• COMP6230 Implementing Cyber Security
• MANG6068 The Management of Corporate Security
• MANG6181 Corporate Risk Management Processes

Optional Modules

• CRIM6007 Criminal Behaviour - Applied Perspectives
• MATH6140 Structure and Dynamics of Networks

Semester 2

Compulsory Modules

• CRIM6008 Cyber Crime, Insecurity and the Dark Web (Cyber Security)
• ELEC6211 Project Preparation

Optional Modules

• COMP3217 Secure Systems
• COMP6211 Biometrics
• ELEC6242 Cryptography
• MANG6143 Project Risk Management

Modules not in Semesters

Compulsory Modules

• COMP6200 MSc Project

Honours Degree: Our normal entry requirement is a first-class or upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, or a related discipline, such as Mathematics. English Language Requirements: If English is not your first language, you will be required to pass an approved English test. We normally ask for IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each competency. International Qualifications: We welcome applications from international students. For information on applying, visit the International Office website. Please note we are part of the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering (FPSE). Selection Process: All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedures as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs. The programme may require adaptation for students with disabilities (eg hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility difficulties, dyslexia), particularly the practical laboratory sessions, and we will attempt to accommodate students wherever possible. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.