Cyber Forensics
Postgraduate
MSc/PgDip
Cyber Security, Threat Intelligence and Forensics
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Course
One year
Three year
Next enrolment
September 2021
In a nutshell
Data security breaches are on the rise, but you can be part of the solution. With our Cyber Security, Threat Intelligence and Forensics postgraduate degree, you can expand your existing computing knowledge, and develop an applied skillset, ready to build a career in this exciting, in-demand intelligence field.
Available with full and part-time study routes starting each January and September, this Chartered Institute for IT (BCS)-accredited course will provide you with both a specialist cyber security knowledge base and real-world skills, so you are ready to fight cyber crime.
During your studies, you will learn about attack (red team) and defence (blue team) strategies. You will consider established attack surfaces (networking, social engineering) and modern issues (IoT, Cloud). You will examine the trade-offs taken between security, privacy and availability.
The University of Salford is a great place to take your cyber security journey. We are proud to be a delivery partner in the GM Cyber Foundry, the Greater Manchester region's plan to be a leader in digital research and cyber intelligence.
You will:
- Develop practical and real-world skills in all major areas of cyber security
- Engage with industry experts and active cyber security researchers during your studies
- Build cyber threat intelligence to learn how to fight against Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
- Gain advanced knowledge of penetration testing, cyber forensics, malware reverse engineering, privacy, and risk management
International
students accepted
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
1.
You're a computing graduate keen to build a career in cyber security management
2.
You have a curious mind and want to learn how criminals infiltrate data networks
3.
You want to use your programming and networking skills to learn how to combat cyber attacks
All about the course
The Cyber Security, Threat Intelligence and Forensics postgraduate degree course at Salford meets industry needs by providing formal qualifications for graduates and professionals looking to develop a computer science-based skillset. By drawing on our industry knowledge and partnerships, the course provides you with a platform for future career success in cyber security management.
Course delivery
The course is delivered through a range of highly-focused modules. The 180-credit MSc award comprises four taught modules, plus a research dissertation. The 120-credit PgDip award comprises four taught modules.
Flexibility is at the heart of our learning approach. You can choose to study this postgraduate course full-time or part-time on campus, with start dates in January and September:
- Full-time students will complete taught modules in each of the first two trimesters, and complete the 60-credit dissertation project in trimester three
- Part-time students will complete taught modules in years one and two, and complete the dissertation project in year three
Course content
The course explores cyber security from both attack and defense (red and blue issues) positions, so you can develop comprehensive subject knowledge. We regularly review module content with our industry partners to ensure your acquired knowledge and skillset reflects trends and needs within professional and business communities.
Current course topics include cyber forensics, information security, privacy and network security and threat intelligence. Knowledge is delivered using activities that will sharpen your computer science skills, and help you to develop both a strategic mindset and an analytical approach.
Learn more about the current course modules in the section below.
Modules
You will develop the skills, methodologies and processes to conduct in-depth computer and network investigation, also looking at emerging platforms such as cloud and Internet of Things. You will also consider legal and ethical aspects of cyber investigation.
Information Security in Practice
You will study threats to information security, technologies used to assess and control risks, and learn about the techniques and tools used to manage and investigate incidents. Attack and defense (red and blue issues) are studied together to highlight that information security has considerable broader scope than cyber security.
Privacy and Network Security
You will study how the applied use of cryptography can provide enhanced security for networked systems (including emerging systems such as blockchain, cloud and IoT), and enhanced privacy for users of networked systems (including social networks and vehicular networks) but that all design decisions are subject to multiple trade-offs that balance the different needs of diverse views of the systems.
Cyber Threat Intelligence
You will study techniques for detecting, responding to and defeating organised cyber crimes and cyber war activities, analysing successful and unsuccessful advanced persistent threats and malware campaigns. You will also cover malware analysis and reversing techniques.
Project
You will work under the direction of an academic supervisor to research a suitable problem, and to develop and evaluate a solution that demonstrates originality in the application of your knowledge.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and industry leaders.
Shaped by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the skills to take your career potential further.
Learning environment
During your studies, you will experience a modern learning environment, enriched with accessible lecture theatres and AV-equipped classrooms, computing suites and multimedia libraries, with access to industry journals, databases, and simulation software.
As a cyber security student, you will use computing suites equipped with specialist software required for exploring database systems, networking and network simulation, internet security, and computer forensics.
Programme Team
The Cyber Security, Threat Intelligence and Forensics postgraduate programme is delivered by an academic team with extensive industry experience and research connections.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
There is a significant worldwide skills shortage in this area, particularly for graduates with the in-depth cyber security technical knowledge.
Course graduates will be ready to find work in a wide variety of technical security roles within business, banking, software, networking, government, consultancy, etc. Typical roles could include malware analyser, penetration tester, information security manager, security consultant or security programmer.
FURTHER STUDY
Some graduates choose to continue their subject interest with postgraduate research. Learn more about postgraduate research opportunities available through our Doctoral School.
The Salford Innovation and Research Centre (SIRC) is home to our world-class research focused on the advancement of informatics, knowledge discovery and semantic web, software engineering, big data, data mining and analytics, cyber security, information visualisation and virtual environments.
Career Links
Salford leads an industrial liaison committee to gain advice on our computing programmes and course content. Companies involved in this initiative rely on IT and data for their operations. This approach ensures we understand industry needs from multiple perspectives and helps us to nurture graduates with strong employability and transferable skill sets.
This course has contacts with local industry such as software companies (such as Web Applications UK), infrastructure providers (such as UKFast) and security consultants (such as KPMG). These companies will provide you with a real-world perspective to help you appreciate the barriers that exist and the compromises that must be made to manage conflicting demands (known as the C-I-A triad).
What you need to know
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element below 5.5) is proof of this.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL SCHEME (ATAS)
International students are required by the Home Office and/or the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate before they begin studies. To comply with Home Office regulations, you must obtain an ATAS Certificate before you come to the UK. Please refer to your offer conditions.
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION
This degree is partially-accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. A partially-accredited degree provides a valuable contribution towards professional membership and evidencing breadth of knowledge. Some employers give preference to applicants who have accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
Standard entry requirements
Undergraduate degree
The minimum entry requirement is a 2.2 honours in computer science, or a related subject with coverage of programming and IPv4 networking, preferably with experience of command line usage.
Other applicants with a strong cyber security background are welcome to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We also welcome applications from industry professionals with relevant security experience who might not have formal qualifications.
Alternative entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2021/22 | £8,640per year |
| Full-time international | 2021/22 | £15,030per year |
| Part-time | 2021/22 | £1,440 per 30 credits |
Additional costs
Having your own laptop (16GB of RAM and an Ethernet port) is not essential, but it will give you more flexibility in where and how you engage with the software you will need to use during your studies (software is provided as part of the course).
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships.
We have a range of scholarships available for students applying for courses in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Our Global Gold Excellence Scholarship is worth £3,500 and our Global Silver Excellence Scholarship is worth £3,000 - both are available for students studying in our 2021/22 intakes.
We also offer the Salford International Excellence Scholarship which offers up to £5,000 discount on tuition fees. As this is a prestigious award we have a limited number of these scholarships available.
See the full range of our International Scholarships.