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The MSc Cyber Security at Cardiff University equips students with practical skills and theoretical knowledge to address global security challenges in digital systems. This program is ideal for graduates seeking to pursue careers in cyber security, digital forensics, or related fields.
Curriculum Structure
Semester 1:
Students begin with foundational modules such as Cyber Security and Risk Management (CMT116), Penetration Testing and Malware Analysis (CMT121), and Computer and Network Forensics (CMT216). These modules provide a solid grounding in identifying and mitigating security threats, analyzing vulnerabilities, and investigating cyber incidents.
Semester 2:
Building upon the first semester, students delve into advanced topics with modules like Cyber Security Operations (CMT217), Cloud and Database Systems Security (CMT226), and Business Continuity and Transformation (CMT308). These courses focus on securing modern infrastructures, managing cyber operations, and ensuring organizational resilience against cyber threats.
Semester 3 (Dissertation):
The final term is dedicated to a dissertation project, allowing students to apply their acquired knowledge to a substantial cyber security problem. This independent research project fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills in real-world cyber contexts.
Focus areas: "Cyber security, risk management, penetration testing, malware analysis, digital forensics, cloud security, business continuity"
Learning outcomes: "Develop proficiency in identifying and mitigating cyber threats; analyze and respond to security incidents; secure modern IT infrastructures; conduct independent research in cyber security"
Professional alignment (accreditation): "Developed in conjunction with industry and aligned with GCHQ recommendations; prepares graduates for roles in cyber security operations, digital forensics, and risk management"
Reputation (employability rankings): "Cardiff University is recognized for its strong emphasis on research and employability, with graduates from this program well-equipped for careers in the cyber security industry"
You'll be based in the Abacws building, our stunning new £45.5 million home for the School of Computer Science and Informatics, which is purpose-built to foster collaboration and provide a world-class environment for innovation and hands-on experimentation.
Your learning is built around applying advanced theory to solve real-world problems, supported by exceptional resources:
State-of-the-Art Specialist Laboratories: You will have direct access to our suite of specialist labs within the Abacws building. This includes the Data Science Lab, the Cyber Security Lab with its isolated network for ethical hacking and digital forensics work, and the Human-Centred Computing Lab for practical work in UX and interactive systems.
Industry-Standard & Research Software: You will gain hands-on experience with the tools that drive innovation. This includes data science and deep learning platforms like Python with TensorFlow and PyTorch, big data tools like Apache Spark, and professional environments for software engineering, simulation, and secure systems development.
Research-Led Teaching & Group Projects: You'll be taught by active researchers from groups like the Artificial Intelligence Research Group and the Security, Privacy and Human-Centred Computing Research Group. A core part of your experience will involve collaborative projects, tackling challenges that mirror the cutting-edge work happening in our research centres.
Substantial Individual MSc Project: The programme culminates in a significant individual research project. This is your opportunity to work deeply on a specialist topic of your choice, often supervised by one of our research experts, to create a substantial and impressive piece of work for your professional portfolio.
High-Performance Computing (HPC) Resources: For projects requiring significant computational power, such as processing large datasets or running complex simulations, you will have access to the University's Advanced Research Computing (ARCCA) facilities, including the supercomputer Hawk.
Graduates of Cardiff University's MSc Cyber Security program are equipped to excel in an array of advanced cybersecurity roles including Cyber Security Analyst, Security Consultant, and Information Security Manager. The program's strong industry and academic focus ensures graduates meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals in government, commercial, and research sectors:
Cardiff University's Career and Employability Service provides specialized support such as career coaching, workshops, industry networking events, and access to placements, with close links to cyber security companies and government bodies.
Employment prospects are robust, with graduates entering roles that command competitive salary levels owing to the high demand for cyber security skills.
The program is developed in partnership with industry leaders including PwC and is aligned with GCHQ recommendations, enhancing employment pathways through real-world projects and research collaborations.
The MSc holds strong accreditation and is recognized for aligning with professional standards, including integration of certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker).
Typical graduate outcomes include roles such as ethical hacker, incident responder, risk assessor, and systems security developer in sectors requiring robust cyber defense.
Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue doctoral research (PhD) in cyber security, information assurance, or digital forensics at Cardiff or internationally. Additionally, professional certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or CISM can be pursued to enhance expertise and career progression in cybersecurity leadership and consultancy
A 2:2 honours degree in computer science, computing or a cognate subject, Exam results (copies of original certificates or transcripts and English translations, if necessary, to prove you have the qualifications listed on your application form), Two references (usually at least one from a recent lecturer or professor), Personal statement that outlines the reasons for applying, Research proposal, GCSE/GCE 'O' level English language score C, IELTS (Academic) test from any IELTS test centre score 6.5 (with at least 5.5 in each sub-score), TOEFL (iBT) score 90, IGCSE level English language score C, Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) score C (185 from January 2015), Cambridge Advanced (CAE) score C (176 from January 2015), PTE score 62, Trinity ISE III: Pass in all four components, International Baccalaureate Diploma (English language at HL or SL): Grade 5India :Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with grades of approximately 55%-60%IELTS- an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskillsTOEFL: At least 90 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subskillUSA- Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of at least 2.8Security AnalystPenetration TesterSecurity ArchitectDigital Forensics InvestigatorIncident ResponderCyber Security Consultant
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