MSc Cyber Security (Infrastructures Security)
- MSc
Overview
Digital technologies drive economic growth yet create new cyber risks requiring ever more sophisticated solutions. There is worldwide demand for new and innovative approaches to tackling global cyber threats specific to large-scale infrastructures, from energy production to finance through to healthcare and smart transportation. The cyber security of such infrastructures is paramount – their disruption can have large-scale impacts on society as well as massive business losses. There is a major shortage of cyber security professionals globally, and the specialist nature of critical infrastructures makes the problem even more acute.
A strong ethos of rigorous experimental and empirical cyber security research underpins the MSc, facilitated by a state-of-the-art testbed for studying critical national infrastructure (CNI) and Internet of Things (IoT) security, and bespoke teaching equipment. You'll learn to apply foundational cyber security techniques to infrastructure 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.
This MSc aims to:
- Enable a deep understanding of fundamental concepts, design principles, building blocks and methods to understand and mitigate against cyber security threats;
- Give you hands-on experience of working with devices, systems and networks utilised in realistic infrastructure environments;
- Equip you with the ability to apply security principles and technical knowledge to analyse complex real-world infrastructures systems (including software systems, networks, control systems and IoT) to identify potential security issues and solutions;
- Provide you with the skills to reason critically about complex problems that require evaluation and analysis from a multi-dimensional perspective including technical, human and organisational aspects.
We also offer a related programme in Cyber Security (Software Security).
Programme structure
The MSc consists of the following compulsory units:
- Foundations of Cyber Security
- Network Security
- Fundamentals of Systems Security
- Security of Industrial Control Systems
- IoT and IIoT Security
To complete your studies you will undertake an individual research project proposed by project supervisors. This unit will provide you with first-hand experience in planning, running, documenting, and presenting a substantial piece of original work in the field of cyber security of infrastructures. This will typically include reading and synthesising academic literature, developing a hypothesis and validating it through hands-on experimental or implementation work. The projects offered each year will vary and each will have a different focus under the overarching umbrella of Infrastructures Security.
The units are taught in intensive week-long blocks. Part-time study will require daytime attendance on campus for the full week when a unit is being taught.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Cyber Security (Infrastructures Security).
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Cyber Security, Network Security or Information Security. 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
- Computer Security
- Data Privacy/Security
- Data Structures
- Databases/Structured/Unstructured Databases
- Internet of Things
- JavaScript
- Network Security
- Cloud Security
- Software Architecture
- Operating Systems
- Programming (please see additional list of suitable programming modules)
- Software Security
- Software Tools/Software Development
- Structured Programming
- Unstructured Programming
- System Security
- Systems Development
- Systems Engineering
- Systems Programming
- Web applications
Suitable Programming modules(one module from this list):
- Assembly Language
- /C ++
- Java
- Object Orientated Programming
- Problem Solving and Programming
- Programming Fundamentals
- Machine Learning Fundamentals
- Programming Lab
- Parallel Programming
- Cloud Computing
- Serverless computing
- Python
- Scala.
MATLAB, FORTRAN, Basic or Visual Basic will not be considered suitable for this programme.
We will also consider your application if your final achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if you have at least one of the following:
- 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.
If this is the case, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level D.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £18,400 per year
- Home: part-time (three years)
- £6,133 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £9,200 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £35,500 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
This programme is informed by the skills gap identified by industry. Following graduation from this MSc, students will have the opportunity to play a fundamental role in delivering cyber security on a large scale through their careers. Graduates may find roles in network security, Industrial Control Systems Security and Operational Technology, and will be capable of critically evaluating and synthesising research literature, developing and deploying systems, and communicating with others in their field and other disciplines. Top graduates from this degree will be able to proactively advance the development of infrastructures security or move on to doctoral studies in cyber security.
Contact us
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- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk
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