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Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics (MSc, PGDip, PGCert)



MSc Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics is a specialist programme that will develop your skills and knowledge in the field of cybersecurity. You will learn how to protect organisation’s IT infrastructure from threats and attacks by conducting real-time penetration testing, and will investigate and analyse cyber incidents.

UWTSD is proud to be a Cisco Academy since 1999 and an EC Council Academy partner since 2018. We are also a Palo Alto Cybersecurity Academy and Checkpoint Secure Academy. We are the only university to offer this unique degree programme that blends curriculums from these leading cybersecurity vendors preparing you for industry certifications such as CEH, CHFI, CCNA, and CCSA, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Our programme is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity concepts, tools, and techniques, as well as practical experience in conducting real-world scenarios. You will have access to a range of cybersecurity and digital forensics tools and technologies, and will learn how to use them to identify and respond to potential cyber threats.

We have the best networking and cybersecurity lab in Wales.

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PATHWAY OPTIONS AND HOW TO APPLY

You can apply directly to the University using the Apply Now button at the top of the page. 


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Contact Email: computing@uwtsd.ac.uk
Contact Name: Tim Bashford


Tuition Fees 2023/24:
Home: £7,800
Overseas: £15,000

Reasons to choose this course

  1. Industry recognised CEH, CHFI, CCNA, CCSA curriculum is part of the programme.
  2. Taught by staff with academic and industry qualifications who constantly update the programme to reflect the rapidly developing networking and security field.
  3. The emphasis is on three key themes within this programme: Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics and Countermeasures.
  4. Access to state-of-art networking and security lab facilities.
  5. Hands on experience with relevant hardware and software.

What you will learn

Course Overview

This programme aims to provide in-depth knowledge and skills in the specialist area of networking and security.

It has been developed in response to the need for personnel equipped with the skills needed to design, implement and troubleshoot an enterprise computer network infrastructure.

The course is designed primarily for science and technology graduates who have some prior knowledge of computing and/or networking and who wish to specialise in computer networking.

Module Topics

Part 1:

  • Ethical Hacking (20 credits)
  • Data Security, Governance and Compliance (20 credits)
  • Enterprise Network Security (20 credits)
  • Cloud Engineering Principles and Practice (20 credits)
  • Digital Forensics Analysis (20 credits)
  • Research Methods and Professional Development (20 credits)

Part 2:

  • Master’s Project (60 credits)
Assessment

Students' work is assessed through a combination of coursework, portfolio, lab-based practical exams and written examinations.

The final mark for some modules may include one or more pieces of assessment set and completed during the module.

Project work is assessed by a written report and oral presentation. Part 2 requires the student to research and prepare an individual project/dissertation of a substantial nature. 

University students who are unable to successfully complete all aspects of Part 1 may be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) or Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).

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Key Information

Entry Criteria

Applicants require an Honours Degree (2.2 or above) or advanced qualification in Computer Science or cognate discipline from a UK University or recognised overseas institution, or industrial experience in Computer Networking and an Honours Degree.

For International applicants, we ask that you hold an Academic IELTS test with a score of at least 6.0 (no element less than 5.5). For full information please visit our International page.

Cisco CCNA is recommended.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will undertake a range of tasks associated with networking in organisations and will be capable of developing sophisticated solutions to networking and security problems.

They may be required to manage teams of network associates/engineers within an enterprise environment either on a small or large-scale project.

In order to achieve this, they will require a significant technical understanding of the issues arising and have an appreciation of the complexity of the tasks.

Within an SME, a senior member of the development staff with both development and management duties often fulfils this role and a significant aspect of the programme is the development of the necessary management skills for this purpose. 

As either a senior network engineer or manager, the graduate would be expected to demonstrate their initiative and be able to use their research skills to rapidly adapt to the demands of new technology.

It is expected that graduates would seek positions such as:

  • Network Engineers
  • Senior Network Engineers
  • Network Support Engineers
  • Security Engineers
  • Systems Engineers
  • Network Specialists
  • Network/Security Analysts
  • Network/Security Consultants
  • Network Managers 
Additional Costs

It is possible to complete this programme of study without any additional costs.

Students may wish to purchase materials for modules, such as major project but this is not a requirement and will have no bearing on the final grade. 

Students who wish to undertake Cisco or EC Council certification training may be required to pay £150 (CCNP) or £300 (EC Council certification).

Students who wish to pursue Cisco and EC Council industry certification would incur additional costs to cover the exam fees.

All Cisco exams must be booked via the Pearson VUE testing centre. By successfully completing the Cisco Academy course you may be eligible for a discount voucher. 

The EC Council certification exam can be taken at the University with an additional fee of £300 per exam.

Bursary / Scholarship Information

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.  To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.

Accommodation

Visit our Swansea Accommodation section to find out more.

Further Information

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions related to the University or to this course in particular.