MSc Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence

This programme is fundamentally practical, designed to give you hands-on experience in securing AI systems and using AI for cyber defence. You will develop these advanced skills using the University's specialised computing infrastructure and industry-standard software, preparing you to tackle emerging threats in intelligent systems. This applied learning is delivered through key components:

• Specialist Security and AI Laboratories: You will have access to dedicated, isolated Cyber Security Teaching Labs and the Sheffield Robotics Laboratory, providing secure environments for penetration testing, malware analysis, and work on AI security.

• Industry-Standard Software and Tools: The curriculum incorporates practical work with security tools like Wireshark and Metasploit, alongside AI and machine learning platforms such as TensorFlow and PyTorch, often used to build defensive models or analyse attack patterns.

• Substantial Individual Research Project: A core element is a significant summer project where you will apply your combined cybersecurity and AI skills to a substantial, real-world problem, often in collaboration with the Security of Advanced Systems Research Group.

• Research-Led Teaching: The programme is delivered by academics from the Sheffield Machine Learning Research Group and cybersecurity research centres, ensuring you are exposed to cutting-edge threats and defensive AI research.

• High-Performance Computing (HPC): For training complex machine learning models for security analytics or conducting large-scale simulations, you will have access to the University's High-Performance Computing facilities, including the ShARC cluster.

Graduates of the MSc Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Sheffield are expertly equipped for the modern workforce, with many moving into technical, analytical, and research-oriented roles such as Cybersecurity Specialist, AI Research Scientist, Security Consultant, and Threat Intelligence Analyst. The program’s strong practical, research, and interdisciplinary focus prepares students for leadership and innovation across IT, government, finance, and R&D sectors:

• The University of Sheffield’s Careers Service provides sector-focused careers events, one-on-one support, employer links, and the myVacancies portal, along with AI and cybersecurity workshops to directly connect students with employers.

• The university boasts a 97% work or further study rate for taught graduates within 15 months, and cybersecurity/AI specialists from Sheffield earn starting salaries typically in the £35,000–£55,000 range, with rapid advancement for those in top roles.

• Industry partnerships include collaborations with IBM, Amazon, VoiceBase, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and participation in the British Computer Society (BCS) and NCSC accreditations.

• The MSc is accredited by BCS and certified by the NCSC, offering a pathway toward Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) status—enhancing long-term career and professional standing.

• Program graduates are highly recruited across consultancies, industry-leading security firms, finance and fintech, research labs, and public sector organizations due to Sheffield’s focus on both AI and advanced security skills.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can move on to a PhD in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computer science, or pursue advanced research fellowships, professional certifications, or applied research roles in multidisciplinary domains like secure AI systems or cyber-physical security.