Key information
The MSc in Applied Cyber Security teaches the theory, methods, and tools of computer network security.
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
Our MSc in Applied Cyber Security teaches you the theory, methods, and tools to address the global concerns of computer network security. It imparts the knowledge and skills needed to keep computer networks safe from attacks and threats by teaching how to formulate security policies, deploy network security solutions, and validate their effectiveness. The programme offers a detailed understanding of contemporary issues in network security research areas.
You will develop the ability to design and develop solutions to contemporary cyber security challenges. You will plan and execute research projects in specialist areas within cyber security, such as cryptography, digital forensics, or malware analysis. You will also have the opportunity to experiment with core methods in the cyber security field, such as access control, cryptography, authentication methods, policy management, digital forensics, and intrusion detection.
By completing this MSc, you will be equipped with a broad understanding of cyber security and the ability to address complex security challenges professionally, ethically, and innovatively.
Your student experience
- Heriot-Watt University boasts a distinguished history of over five decades dedicated to the research and teaching of Computer Science.
- World-Leading Faculty: Heriot-Watt University is known for its strong academic reputation.
- State-of-the-Art Labs: To facilitate hands-on learning, we have created state-of-the-art labs based in the Robotarium as well as at the GRID.
- These resources are instrumental in providing students with a practical, real-world experience when working with authentic datasets and AI models.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
The programme structure follows a mix of mandatory and elective courses. These optional courses provide supporting knowledge and skills in computing topics that cyber security experts need to have to be to apply their security know-how to develop or analyse cyber security solutions.
Mandatory September
- Computer Network Security
Optional September
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Industrial Programming
- Internet of Things
- Systems Programming
- Software Engineering Foundations
- Data Communications and Networking
Mandatory January
- Advanced Network Security
- Digital Forensics
- Research Methods and Project Planning
Optional January
- Project Management
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Big Data Management
Mandatory May
- Masters Project and Dissertation
January Intake -Edinburgh
The programme structure follows a mix of mandatory and elective courses. These optional courses provide supporting knowledge and skills in computing topics that cyber security experts need to have to be to apply their security know-how to develop or analyse cyber security solutions.
Mandatory January
- Computer Network Security
- Advanced Network Security
- Digital Forensics
Optional January
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Big Data Management
- Project Management
Mandatory September
- Research Methods and Project Planning
Optional September
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Industrial Programming
- Software Engineering Foundations
- Systems Programming
- Data Communications and Networking
- Internet of Things
Mandatory Second January
- Masters Project and Dissertation
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,192 | £6,096 |
| International | £25,480 | £12,740 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Entry requires a good honours degree that includes substantial academic and practical knowledge of Computing and IT.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Student life
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