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King's College London
You are viewing a course in < Computer science
Postgraduate degree

Advanced Cyber Security MSc/PGDip/PGCert

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Cyber security is a global challenge that impacts societies, national security, critical infrastructure and the global economy. Cybercrime damages are predicted to cost the world nearly £5 trillion annually by 2021, yet cyber security skills are one of the world's most in-demand, with a global sector deficit of 2.9 million. Now more than ever, industries such as health care, finance, manufacturing and retail all rely on cyber security professionals to enter the workforce to protect valuable information from these damaging, costly cyber breaches. The Advanced Cyber Security MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate (online) at King’s College London will give you the opportunity to gain the knowledge, technologies, practices and skills to solve the world’s most complex cyber security challenges - without taking a break from your career. Our leading academics provide you with cutting-edge theory in the field of cyber security, and you’ll have access to our Virtual Lab, providing you with practical experience of real-world security analysis and problem-solving. Career opportunities in cyber security have grown three times faster than those for IT jobs overall, and cyber security professionals are earning 16 per cent* more than their IT counterparts. If you come from a technical background with a strong computer science foundation and are looking to begin a career in this thriving sector, this programme is right for you.

Key benefits

  • Advanced theory - The course provides an excellent foundation for learning advanced theory, practical techniques and skills for solving complex cyber security problems.
  • Virtual Lab - Access to our virtualisation software (Virtual Lab) gives you the practical, hands-on experience of real-world security analysis and problem-solving.
  • World-leading academics - Learn and collaborate with leading academics in the field, such as Professor Luca Viganò, Head of the Cybersecurity Group. His research focuses on formal methods and tools for the design, modelling, analysis, verification and testing of networks and systems in order to tackle cybersecurity and privacy problems that are important to industry, society and everyone living in a technologically dependent world.
  • Support 24/7 - A dedicated Student Success Advisor will offer support throughout the duration of your course and will be your first point of contact, answering all enquiries within 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Build a global network - You’ll learn alongside like-minded students and professionals from around the world, each of whom brings their own unique experience, skills and perspectives to your online discussions.

This course is designed to provide a robust foundation in Cyber Security. You will study cryptography, fraud detection, system security, cybercrime, network security, computer forensics and the study of how security itself should be managed. It teaches mathematical foundations and practical executions to solve complex cyber security problems. You will learn to design and build computer security systems that protect networks and data from cyber-crime or terrorist attack.

Course Aims

  • Develop in-demand skills for solving complex cyber security problems.
  • Study at one of the top 10 UK universities in the world (Times Higher Education, 2021)
  • King’s Cyber Security Centre is recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
  • Access our Virtual Lab to get the hands-on experience you need.
  • Learn and collaborate with leading academics in the field.
  • Six intakes a year for maximum flexibility (Jan, Mar, May, Jun, Sept, Oct)
  • Study 100% online, from wherever you are in the world.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

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Teaching methods - what to expect

We use interactive online activity-based learning via a virtual lab, self-directed learning activities, and webinars to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work, e.g. 150 hours work for a 15-credit module. These hours cover every aspect of the module, including independent study.

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Written/Practical Examinations

Forms of assessment may typically include written exam, essay, group work, practical tasks and reports.

Structure

Required modules

The following mandatory will be accessible on the course.

Cryptography (15 credits)
Security Engineering (15 credits)
Security Management (15 credits)
Network Security (15 credits)
Security Testing (15 credits)
Computer Forensics & Cybercrime (15 credits)
Distributed Ledgers and Cryptocurrencies (15 credits)
Big Data Technologies (15 credits)
Research Skills: Information Ethics (15 credits)
Research Skills: Reviewing and Critical Analysis (15 credits)
Research Skills: Research Methodologies (15 credits)
Research skills: Analysis and Reporting (15 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

King’s is ranked 4th in the UK and 21st in the world for graduate employability (Times Higher Education's Global Employability University Ranking 2020).

Our graduates are highly employable and in recent years they have gone on to forge successful careers in a wide range of sectors, including banking, telecommunications, security consultancies, the civil service, public utilities and the retail sector.

Examples of graduate destinations include Hang Seng Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, and Merrill Corporation. Other graduates have entered the field of academic and industrial research in areas such as cyber security, machine learning, software engineering, algorithms and computer networks.

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

  • Network security analyst
  • Security consultant/analyst
  • Audit /compliance consultant
  • Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)
  • Security certification engineer
  • Incident response analyst
  • Military intelligence analyst
  • Crime prevention & investigation analyst

Our professional network

Connections

The Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences has a range of relationships, connections and partnerships with a number of high profile bodies and organisations in tech, business and science industries. Our internationally-renowned graduates lead cutting-edge research, tackling global challenges and answering fundamental questions about our universe - six Nobel Laureates are amongst our distinguished former staff and students. Once you graduate from King’s you will automatically become a member of this 170,000-strong global alumni network. Membership is free, lasts a lifetime and includes many benefits.

Tuition Fees

Your fees will be charged per module as you progress through the course. From now until September 2022, you will be charged £1,300 per module.

The number of modules you take will be determined by your chosen award as outlined below:

PG Cert: 4 modules (£5,200)

PG Dip: 8 modules (£10,400)

MSc: 12 modules (£15,600)

Tuition fees may be subject to an annual increase (capped at 5%) each academic year in line with King's College London's terms and conditions. Each increase comes into effect in September of each year. From September 2022 onwards, modules will be charged at £1,335 per module.

Additional Fees Information

When you receive an offer for this course, you will be required to pay for your first module upfront, as a non-refundable deposit, to secure your place. This payment will be credited towards your total fee payment. Please note that a standard 14 day cooling off period will apply from the point of initial payment for your first module. Any subsequent payments are not subject to additional cooling off periods.

The deposit cost for this course is the cost of one module (£1,300) plus a non-refundable application fee of £70. From September 2022, the deposit cost will be £1,335 plus a non-refundable application fee of £75.

Student fees for the programme will be billed on a modular basis. Students are billed three weeks prior to the first day of teaching, with the due date being two weeks later (one week before teaching). If you no longer wish to study a module, you can take a break from your studies up until one week prior to the module starting. If payment has been made, the money will remain on your account as credit until you return.

If you have registered for a PG Dip or PG Cert qualification but decide you wish to upgrade to a higher award, you will need to speak to your enrolment advisor. If you choose to upgrade your programme, you will enter a new cooling off period from the date of payment for your next module on the upgraded award. Any subsequent payments following this next module payment are not subject to additional cooling off periods.

Additional Requirements & Costs

Students will need access to a computer or tablet in order to complete the programme. Although KEATS is optimised for mobile, a desktop computer may be necessary for some parts of the course.

We recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari or Microsoft Edge; full functionality cannot be guaranteed in older or less commonly used browsers.

Students will require access to a high-speed internet connection (4Mbps minimum).

We will endeavour to make as much study material as possible available online, but you may also need to purchase some books during your studies.

This is an online course and you are not expected to go to campus, should you wish to do so, there are some additional fees to pay for:

  • Books, ebooks or articles (if you choose to buy your own copies)

  • King’s campus Library fees and fines

  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses

  • Graduation costs

Funding

This course is designed to provide a robust foundation in Cyber Security. You will study cryptography, fraud detection, system security, cybercrime, network security, computer forensics and the study of how security itself should be managed. It teaches mathematical foundations and practical executions to solve complex cyber security problems. You will learn to design and build computer security systems that protect networks and data from cyber-crime or terrorist attack.

Course Aims

  • Develop in-demand skills for solving complex cyber security problems.
  • Study at one of the top 10 UK universities in the world (Times Higher Education, 2021)
  • King’s Cyber Security Centre is recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
  • Access our Virtual Lab to get the hands-on experience you need.
  • Learn and collaborate with leading academics in the field.
  • Six intakes a year for maximum flexibility (Jan, Mar, May, Jun, Sept, Oct)
  • Study 100% online, from wherever you are in the world.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Loading...

Teaching methods - what to expect

We use interactive online activity-based learning via a virtual lab, self-directed learning activities, and webinars to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work, e.g. 150 hours work for a 15-credit module. These hours cover every aspect of the module, including independent study.

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Written/Practical Examinations

Forms of assessment may typically include written exam, essay, group work, practical tasks and reports.

Structure

Required modules

The following mandatory will be accessible on the course.

Cryptography (15 credits)
Security Engineering (15 credits)
Security Management (15 credits)
Network Security (15 credits)
Security Testing (15 credits)
Computer Forensics & Cybercrime (15 credits)
Distributed Ledgers and Cryptocurrencies (15 credits)
Big Data Technologies (15 credits)
Research Skills: Information Ethics (15 credits)
Research Skills: Reviewing and Critical Analysis (15 credits)
Research Skills: Research Methodologies (15 credits)
Research skills: Analysis and Reporting (15 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

King’s is ranked 4th in the UK and 21st in the world for graduate employability (Times Higher Education's Global Employability University Ranking 2020).

Our graduates are highly employable and in recent years they have gone on to forge successful careers in a wide range of sectors, including banking, telecommunications, security consultancies, the civil service, public utilities and the retail sector.

Examples of graduate destinations include Hang Seng Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, and Merrill Corporation. Other graduates have entered the field of academic and industrial research in areas such as cyber security, machine learning, software engineering, algorithms and computer networks.

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

  • Network security analyst
  • Security consultant/analyst
  • Audit /compliance consultant
  • Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)
  • Security certification engineer
  • Incident response analyst
  • Military intelligence analyst
  • Crime prevention & investigation analyst

Our professional network

Connections

The Faculty of Natural & Mathematical Sciences has a range of relationships, connections and partnerships with a number of high profile bodies and organisations in tech, business and science industries. Our internationally-renowned graduates lead cutting-edge research, tackling global challenges and answering fundamental questions about our universe - six Nobel Laureates are amongst our distinguished former staff and students. Once you graduate from King’s you will automatically become a member of this 170,000-strong global alumni network. Membership is free, lasts a lifetime and includes many benefits.

Tuition Fees

Your fees will be charged per module as you progress through the course. From now until September 2022, you will be charged £1,300 per module.

The number of modules you take will be determined by your chosen award as outlined below:

PG Cert: 4 modules (£5,200)

PG Dip: 8 modules (£10,400)

MSc: 12 modules (£15,600)

Tuition fees may be subject to an annual increase (capped at 5%) each academic year in line with King's College London's terms and conditions. Each increase comes into effect in September of each year. From September 2022 onwards, modules will be charged at £1,335 per module.

Additional Fees Information

When you receive an offer for this course, you will be required to pay for your first module upfront, as a non-refundable deposit, to secure your place. This payment will be credited towards your total fee payment. Please note that a standard 14 day cooling off period will apply from the point of initial payment for your first module. Any subsequent payments are not subject to additional cooling off periods.

The deposit cost for this course is the cost of one module (£1,300) plus a non-refundable application fee of £70. From September 2022, the deposit cost will be £1,335 plus a non-refundable application fee of £75.

Student fees for the programme will be billed on a modular basis. Students are billed three weeks prior to the first day of teaching, with the due date being two weeks later (one week before teaching). If you no longer wish to study a module, you can take a break from your studies up until one week prior to the module starting. If payment has been made, the money will remain on your account as credit until you return.

If you have registered for a PG Dip or PG Cert qualification but decide you wish to upgrade to a higher award, you will need to speak to your enrolment advisor. If you choose to upgrade your programme, you will enter a new cooling off period from the date of payment for your next module on the upgraded award. Any subsequent payments following this next module payment are not subject to additional cooling off periods.

Additional Requirements & Costs

Students will need access to a computer or tablet in order to complete the programme. Although KEATS is optimised for mobile, a desktop computer may be necessary for some parts of the course.

We recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari or Microsoft Edge; full functionality cannot be guaranteed in older or less commonly used browsers.

Students will require access to a high-speed internet connection (4Mbps minimum).

We will endeavour to make as much study material as possible available online, but you may also need to purchase some books during your studies.

This is an online course and you are not expected to go to campus, should you wish to do so, there are some additional fees to pay for:

  • Books, ebooks or articles (if you choose to buy your own copies)

  • King’s campus Library fees and fines

  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses

  • Graduation costs

Funding

Further information

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