About

Introduction

In a nutshell

This programme is now closed to international applications for January 2025. The next application window for international applicants will be September 2025.

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 skill set, 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.

International applicant? Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

Start your MSc Cyber Security, Threat Intelligence and Forensics study journey

Register for our next Open Day where you can learn more about the course, tour our impressive new computing suites and meet the tutors

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

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What you need to know

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, and we also accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS

Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

This degree is accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. An 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.

International student entry requirements

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

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).

For more information or enquires about this scheme, please contact: [email protected]

Learn more about the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6

English Program Requirements

Equivalent qualifications

English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

As a general guide:

For undergraduate courses we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For postgraduate courses, we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The approved equivalent qualifications list includes the following:

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

University of Salford English language courses

Regional-based qualifications

Majority English Speaking Countries as deemed by UKVI

Medium of English Institutions

Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).

Career

Employment and stats

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. Our course is designed to provide a recognised qualification 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.

As a cyber security graduate, you will be ready to apply for a range of technical security-based 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

You might also choose to take your subject interest further with postgraduate research. The Salford Innovation and Research Centre (SIRC) is home to Informatics PhD and Research Master’s opportunities in knowledge discovery and semantic web, software engineering, big data, data mining and analytics, cyber security, information visualisation and virtual environments.

Explore our Doctoral School to learn more about research training, support and opportunities.

A taste of what you could become

A malware analyser

An information security manager

A security consultant

A forensics investigator

A security programmer

And more...

Career Links

We lead 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. Our approach ensures that 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).

Software Developer

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

26,779 / years