Cyber Security MSc | PGDip | PGCert – Online Course
Gain the specialist skills and techniques required to mitigate the increasing threat of cyberattacks through our focused master’s degree.
What is cyber security?
As the world becomes more reliant on technology and the internet, so too do cyber criminals find new ways to target our businesses, our identities and our finances. Cyber security is the first line of defence against these offenders, with cyber security measures set up to protect networks, equipment and online accounts from all kinds of damaging online threats.
A number of different fields make up cyber security, including things like data security and technology security, and with those fields come plenty of career opportunities to discover. Getting the right training to take on cyber criminality is the first step to embarking on a financially rewarding and ever-changing role in cyber security.
Achieving a high level of cyber security is one of the greatest challenges of modern society, and there is a significant skills shortage in this field. This programme will develop your technical and problem-solving skills to tackle the broad range of cyber security challenges that modern organisations face.
You will learn how to research, design and implement robust cyber security measures while developing your theoretical understanding of the discipline. Throughout the programme, you will create a professional development plan and produce an e-portfolio to demonstrate your understanding and experience across the topics you study.
You will have access to an online development environment to practice and refine your new technical skills, which also contains all of the technologies and software you will need for the course – inclusive within your tuition fee.
The MSc programme is accredited by the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
The University has also been recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR).
Download a prospectus for more details on this programme.
What will I study?
This programme consists of the following modules. You are required to complete 180 credits to achieve a full Master of Science (MSc), 120 credits to achieve the postgraduate diploma (PGDip), and 60 credits to achieve the postgraduate certificate (PGCert).
| Modules | MSc | PGDip | PGCert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Trends in Computer Science (15 credits) | x | x | x |
| Security Engineering and Compliance (15 credits) | x | x | x |
| Cyber Crime Prevention and Protection (15 credits) | x | x | x |
| Networks and Web Technologies (15 credits) | x | x | x |
| Cyber Forensics (15 credits) | x | x | |
| Security Risk Management (15 credits) | x | x | |
| Elective module (choose one from): Applied Cryptography (15 credits) Multi-Agent Systems (15 credits) Software Development in Practice (15 credits) Databases and Information Systems (15 credits) | x | x | |
| Research Methods in Computer Science (15 credits) | x | x | |
| Computer Science Capstone Project (60 credits) | x |
For more information on the modules, including syllabus and learning outcomes, please download our programme booklet.
All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you want to discuss your previous qualifications and experience before applying, please contact us now via LiveChat.
Applicants for this programme should hold either:
(i) a degree in any subject equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree (2:2 or above)
OR
(ii) at least 2 years experience in employment, which would normally be of a technical nature, comparable with the award of a bachelor’s degree.
If you have limited exposure in numeracy or programming you may need to consider further effort in these areas to maintain the standards of the programme, but are still encouraged to apply.
All applicants must provide evidence that they have an English language ability equivalent to an IELTS (academic) score of 6.5.
If you don’t have an IELTS or equivalent certificate, you can take our free online English test to assess your proficiency. You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.
If you do not currently meet our entry requirements, we do offer a 15-credit standalone module, Global Trends in Computer Science, that can provide a gateway onto the Cyber Security programme if completed successfully.
Fees for the academic year 2025/26
MSc: £17,357
PGDip: £11,572
PGCert: £5,786
These fees* are fully inclusive of all costs, including all teaching materials, core textbooks, assessments and resits.
Executive Scholarship
An Executive Scholarship of 15%** is available for our August 2025 intake. Contact our admissions team for more information.
Other scholarships and discounts
You may also be able to benefit from the following scholarships and discounts:
- Regional Scholarships of up to 20% available on the August 2025 intake, for those in specific regions outside the United Kingdom. To find out the scholarship offered in your region, please make an enquiry now.
- 20% UK Scholarship available on the August 2025 intake of all master’s awards, for students residing in the United Kingdom.
- 10% discount for University of Liverpool alumni.
- 5% discount for up-front full tuition fee payment.
Further support
We aim to make it as easy as possible for you to cover the costs of your studies. You could benefit from:
- Simple monthly payment plan provided to spread the cost over the duration of study
- Students living in England may be eligible for a postgraduate loan to cover some of the programme cost.
Please speak to our admissions team for more details of fees, scholarships, discounts and support.
*All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed.
**Please note that the Executive Scholarship can only be used with the Up-Front Payment Discount.
Teaching and assessment
The learning, teaching and assessment strategies for all online programmes are aligned with the three University of Liverpool Hallmarks of research-connected teaching, active learning and authentic assessment – as well as the three University of Liverpool Graduate Attributes of confidence, digital fluency and global citizenship.
Teaching methods
Studying online allows you to study in your own time and from wherever works best for you – whether that is from your home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.
All our online programmes are delivered through a specially designed online learning platform. This allows 24/7 access to your study materials, which includes:
- innovative lecturecasts consisting of audio recordings, infographics, videos, animation, short tasks, and written content
- a comprehensive eLibrary of ebooks and academic journals
- forums for you to discuss programme content with peers
- support from academic staff and a dedicated Student Support team
Assessments
Online programmes are assessed based on work carried out in the virtual classroom. Reflecting the hallmark of authentic assessment, this may include report writing, reflective practice, research projects, and individual or group presentations that represent the kinds of tasks you would be expected to undertake in a professional setting.
We are committed to:
- providing frequent and transparent feedback
- ensuring our assessment criteria are simple and clear
- making it easy for you to clearly view your marks in your gradebook when you log into the learning platform
- delivering provisional marks and feedback of assessed work usually within seven days for taught modules
- ensuring academic support through weekly lecturer office hours
- providing access to our Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns or issues
Online learning experience
We will support your online learning experience with high-quality learning materials and resources, which can all be found on our state-of-the-art virtual learning platform.
Typically, your learning experience will include the following:
- directed learning – including participation in virtual discussions with peers, led by the lecturer, working through relevant and specially prepared videos and lecturecasts; completing interactive exercises on the learning platform; appointments with your lecturer during office hours
- self-directed learning – including wider reading and research in your subject area to further develop your knowledge and understanding
- assessment – time taken to prepare and complete assignments and activities which contribute to your overall assessment
On average, you will need to dedicate a minimum of 15-20 hours of study per module, per week.
Study duration
Our master’s award has an approximate study duration of 30 months, studied online and part-time. Our PG Diploma award has an approximate duration of 20 months and our PG Certificate has an approximate duration of 10 months.
Please note, that the actual study duration may be longer depending on study options chosen, speed of study, and module availability.
Students pursue the programme in a linear fashion, which is organised into modules, typically with a one or two-week break between modules, and a three-week break for the Christmas period. You will receive an indicative module timetable during the enrolment process.
On successful completion of your degree, and payment of any outstanding tuition fees, you will receive an invite to attend an in-person graduation ceremony in the vibrant city of Liverpool
Academic staff
We are committed to delivering an enriching online study experience, and all our lecturers are experienced subject specialists with demonstrated learning and teaching proficiency.
They play an integral part in ensuring the latest theories and research feature in our programmes and are dedicated to providing a high level of support throughout your studies.
All lecturers and supervisors are honorary faculty at the University of Liverpool.
You can find more information on our key academic staff and their experience here.
Quality and assurance
As one of the Russell Group’s 24 members, the University of Liverpool is recognised as a world-class, research-intensive institution, that adheres to strict quality standards.
The University is registered with the Office for Students and an established member of the Quality Assurance for Higher Education.
Apply for this course by completing a simple online form.
In order to apply, you will need to provide copies of the following supporting documentation:
- School or college transcripts/certificates
- University transcripts and certified translations if applicable
- Degree certificates
- Evidence of English language proficiency (EU and international applicants only)
- Personal statement
- An up-to-date CV.
Acknowledgement of your application
The admissions team will acknowledge receipt of your application and will pass it to the Department Head and/or appropriate academic department(s) for consideration.
Students with disabilities
We welcome applications from students with disabilities and consider them on the same academic grounds as those of other students. If you have a disability, medical condition and/or support needs it is important that you inform the University so that you receive appropriate support.
Deadlines
We have regular start dates throughout the year with regular application deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to apply in good time, particularly if they have special requirements that will need to be taken into consideration.
As society grows increasingly dependent on the internet and technology, the demand for qualified cyber security professionals also grows. This programme is designed to develop technical skills with an immediate application in the workplace, and will position you to succeed within senior technical and managerial positions within the field.
Alongside the subject-specific knowledge you will gain during the programme, you will also develop professional skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and research. These will enhance your CV, allowing you to improve your career prospects and access more senior roles.
Since it was established in 1983, the Department of Computer Science has been at the forefront of key developments in computer science and has built a strong international reputation for research in artificial intelligence and algorithms. The latest Research Excellence Framework 2021 rated us 5th in the UK for world leading (4*) research outputs, and 100% of research environment rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).
By studying online with Liverpool, you can gain a highly regarded qualification from a prestigious redbrick university and a member of the Russell Group, a group of 24 research-led UK universities committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of research and education. You will acquire new skills and knowledge, all while continuing to work in your current role.
The University of Liverpool has been offering online programmes since 2000. We are recognised as one of Europe’s leading providers of wholly online postgraduate degrees. All our programmes are designed for online delivery, and our state-of-the-art learning platform encourages collaboration with fellow professionals from around the world.
In this webinar, our team give an introduction to online Computer Science programmes at the University of Liverpool, the admissions and enrolment process, the support available to students and a demonstration of how you will study.
