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MSci (Hons) Cyber Security

UCAS CODE: MCYB
TARIFF: 88 - 112
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  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Four Years
  • Start Date: September 2025

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Cyber security is an increasingly important area to build a rewarding career in. We’ll support you from day one, ensuring that you leave BNU as a 'work-ready' graduate. To help you achieve your goals we have invested in well-equipped computer labs on our High Wycombe Campus.
An integrated master's degree allows you to gain the same funding as undergraduate students and stand out in a competitive jobs market. Employers are increasingly looking for employees with the advanced technical skills and expert understanding provided by an integrated master's degree course.
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No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*
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Why study Cyber Security at BNU?

By choosing the MSci (Hons) Cyber Security at BNU, you get the unique advantage of an integrated master's degree. This means you'll complete both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in one seamless course, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Our course is designed by industry experts to reflect current trends and employer needs. You'll explore highly demanded technical and management security technologies, preparing you for the fast-moving cyber security sector. This ensures that what you learn is directly applicable to the workplace, making you a valuable asset to potential employers.

All modules have been designed with input from key industry governing bodies and experts such as the Communications-Electronics Security Group (CESG), a group within the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), as well as Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP) Information Security Skills Framework.

You'll engage in practical sessions in our specialised computer labs, designed to simulate the real-world, allowing you to develop and hone the skills essential for a successful career in cyber security. From penetration testing to forensic analysis, you'll have the chance to practice industry techniques on professional standard hardware and software, helping you to gain confidence in your abilities. We focus on learning by doing, so you’re prepared to step into the workplace.

This course covers a wide range of modules, including Network Security, Ethical Hacking, and Cyber Forensics. Providing you with a thorough understanding of the various aspects of cyber security, making sure you are well-prepared for your future career. You'll gain a broad knowledge base in your first years and end up developing specialised skills, based on your choices of optional modules. 

Your lecturers aren’t just teachers - they’re seasoned professionals who’ve worked in the cyber security field. This means you’ll gain insider knowledge, practical tips, and real-world insights that textbooks can’t offer. They’ll show you how to apply what you’re learning to real challenges, so you graduate feeling confident and career-ready. Their close ties with the industry mean you'll have opportunities to engage with professionals, participate in networking events, gain exposure to the working world. These connections might open doors to placements, mentorships, and even future employment.

What facilities can I use?

BNU has invested in our facilities to ensure that you can learn on industry standard systems and software, meaning that you can make an easy transition from education into employment. Quite simply we are committed to making sure we provide you with the best learning experience possible.

We make sure we keep the University’s computing facilities well maintained and equipped. We have a range of large labs, most filled with dual-screen, dual boot (Windows and Linux) systems. Latest industry standard software is also included on devices to allow you to develop your skills to what is needed in the workplace.

Labs have been custom built to provide the best spaces to nurture the specific skills needed for game and internet development. These allow you to build your skills within key areas of future employment.

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Female on laptop showing a locked screen for security

What will I study?

Our MSci (Hons) Cyber Security programme combines three years of undergraduate study with an additional fourth year at postgraduate level, in a single course.

The integrated master’s degree is identical to the equivalent undergraduate course but provides you with the opportunity to delve deeper into your interest in the fourth year of study, enabling you to graduate with a master’s degree. If you do not achieve the necessary standard of performance to continue onto the fourth year and complete the integrated masters, you can still graduate after three years with a Bachelor degree qualification.

The course addresses the professional and customer-facing skills that are essential for employment in computing industries. Modules also provide opportunities to prepare for the professional certification programmes of global industries such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard and Cisco. You will be able to practice the technology provided by the world cloud leader Amazon AWS and get the option to gain their official certification exam (optional for students). For further information, please contact Dr Rafid Al-Khannak.

In your first year you will study a broad range of topics including computer architectures, programming, digital technologies, networking and cyber threat and risk management to solidify your understanding of the foundations of computing and security.

During your second year, you will further your understanding and develop your skills through topics including database design, information security, open source systems, software engineering, network systems (Cisco), and intelligent systems.

In your third year, you will study a number of topics, ranging from knowledge-based systems in AI to quality assurance and testing, security auditing and learning machines.

Your final year will allow you to explore topics based on what you are passionate about. Options include risk management, cloud security, business continuity and disaster recovery. You will also work on a major project or extended piece of written work of your choice, giving you the opportunity to explore a subject of interest at a more in-depth detail.

How will I be taught and assessed?

At Buckinghamshire New University we like to foster an interactive and student-focused teaching style where we have a combination of formal lectures, tutorials, practical lab sessions, seminars and guest speakers to enhance the learning experience.

We are proud of our industry connections and welcome various guest speakers, who share their real-life experiences, inform on current practices, career opportunities, and help prepare you for working life as a cyber security professional.

A major benefit of integrated master’s degree courses is the final year project which will help you to develop advanced technical and professional skills that are required for research or other practically-based careers.

Assessments are, where possible, tied to real-world contexts and constraints, to allow you to practically demonstrate the skills you have developed. A variety of assessment methods will be used, including written work, in-class assignments, workshops, presentations and formal written and practical exams.

You are more than a number at BNU, and we are here to support you through your education journey. We have in place regular contact hours with our tutors and provide you with feedback throughout the programme of study.

 

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MSci (Hons) Cyber Security Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Core Modules
Credits
Discover the foundational principles for programming languages. You'll study variables, data types, assignment, conditionals, functions, data structures and the object-oriented paradigm. You'll work with other students on a project to simulate the working environment and will develop your problem-solving and computational thinking skills.
You'll look at principles of computer organisation, the layered nature of systems structures & the interfaces between them. You'll also study: components of a computer, the architecture, how they're organised, hardware, data representation, computer logic circuits, manipulation of data at the bit level & the theory of computation and its paradigms.
You'll study the architecture, structure, functions and models of the Internet and computer networks. You'll use models to examine protocols and services at the application, network, data link & physical layers and will analyse the principles & structure of IP addressing and the fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, network media & network operations.
This module provides an overview of cyber security forms and threats, including identification and management of those threats and vulnerabilities in relation to information systems and assets. You'll develop risk management skills, including adapting the risk management strategy to changes in the threat environment and business risk and selecting ...

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This module introduces the mathematical language, knowledge and problem-solving skills that you'll need to study computing. You'll look at concepts such as set, relation, function and recursion/induction and principles of counting and finite probability. The fundamental notions of logic and their use for representation and proof are also explored.
Web Development
20
Credits: 20
Core Modules
Credits
This module aims to give you an understanding of how data is collected, stored and managed. You'll look at different approaches to data and the reasons for choosing one approach or another. You will also study issues of selecting an appropriate data solution aligned to real world use and application.
This module aims to teach you how to manage all aspects of a security programme, including reacting to new threats & vulnerabilities, secure operational and service delivery consistent with security standards and procedures, and handling security incidents of all types according to common practices, consistent with legal constraints & obligations.
This module aims to support you in gaining an understanding of the research process, including principles of research methods theory (ontology/epistemology) and practical elements. You'll be guided in how to plan and prepare for a research-based dissertation or work-based project or artefact-based project.
This module focuses on methods that can be employed in evaluating system security and basic digital forensic techniques. You'll study forensic collection and investigation techniques; penetration testing techniques; professional and ethical challenges with the forensic and penetration testing process; professional standards and best practice.
This is an introduction to network systems. After covering networking fundamentals you'll discuss configuration issues relating to small, medium and large system networking technologies and topics. The main topics will include modern network systems, resource management, the hardware interface, network layers and network routing.
Develop your skills in determining, establishing and maintaining appropriate governance of, delivery of, and cost-effective solutions for, information security in organisations. You'll study the focus on IT and technology in cyber security management, the wider application of security in organisations and principles of compliance and governance.
Core Modules
Credits
You'll look at how cyber security can be addressed and managed within wider businesses requirements. The management of a secure business will entail not only cyber security but also its wider incorporation into organisational activity.
You'll study how to define and implement the processes and techniques used in verifying compliance against security policies, standards, legal and regulatory requirements. You'll also look at managing compliance and effective response, and the importance of audit and review.
Building on material covered in Level 5 modules you'll study how to develop multi-tier web based & mobile-ready applications using distributed frameworks and components. You'll look at issues of web services, data access, event handling, security & caching and how to develop & deploy robust, secure, scalable web solutions for organisational needs.
Optional Modules
Credits
This module introduces key aspects & technologies of Artificial Intelligence, and how systems that employ these technologies are built. You'll study the history and philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and the kinds of problems that can and can't be solved using these techniques. You'll also examine the concept of intelligent in its various forms.
This module explores the essential characteristics of Cloud Computing. This includes: the architectures associated with the provision of services (software, platforms and infrastructure services); the models for Cloud deployment (e.g. private, community, public and hybrid clouds); and emerging standards for interoperability.
You'll look at how to design & deploy advanced security mechanisms in an enterprise-wide/virtual/cloud-based network infrastructure. This includes critically analysing an organisation's security plan and using security tools to design & test an organisation's security systems to assess its strengths and vulnerabilities in a controlled environment.
This module investigates and applies the successful combination of static verification techniques (inspection, walkthrough), alongside dynamic testing approaches (component, system, integration and acceptance), in the pursuit of creating software that is both fit for purpose and right first time, all within the framework of quality assurance.
You'll study a variety of AI techniques including fuzzy logic, machine learning & multi-agent systems, amongst others. You'll consider which approaches may be appropriate for a given problem and examine AI in terms of legal & ethical considerations, and the professional & social implications that stem from the adoption of some of these techniques.
Core Modules
Credits
You'll look at the need for information security management as a part of an overall organisational cyber security strategy. You'll study computer crime, the rapidly changing IT environment, writing a security policy & standard operating procedures, analysis of threats and risk, contingency planning, and the allocation of security responsibilities.
You'll carry out an individual in-depth investigation of a cyber-security related topic, chosen in consultation with your supervisor, and may involve a local company. It should aim to explore an issue or develop a solution to a problem and involve a mixture of primary and secondary research. You'll produce a proposal and final report.
Optional Modules
Credits
You'll study how to provide secure management of information and mobile systems, including the security features and limitations of mobile operating systems; priority risks and vulnerabilities. You'll look at concepts of operation and improvement of information security and privacy in the context of strategic information systems and mobile systems.
You'll study how to secure Cisco networks, and how to develop a security infrastructure, recognize threats to networks, and mitigate security threats. You'll look at security technologies, the installation, troubleshooting & monitoring of network devices to maintain integrity & availability of data and devices, and security structure technologies.
You'll look at how to secure cloud based system and application, develop a security infrastructure, recognize threats and vulnerabilities to cloud based systems, protect privacy and mitigate security threats. You'll study core security technologies and the installation, troubleshooting and monitoring of cloud system.
This module explores the need for business continuity management as a part of an overall organisational cyber resilience strategy and policy. You'll study topics including communication theories, supply chain models, market competition, roles and responsibilities, crisis and emergency management disaster recovery, and invocation of plans.
You'll study some of the key aspects of AI and their relevance to security systems. You'll look at which aspects of AI make it uniquely helpful in the fight against cybercrime, the advantages that the application of AI may bring to computer security and some of the potential limitations. You'll also study ethical issues around the use of AI.

What are the tuition fees

Home
  • Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 per year *
International
  • Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 per year *

Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes. 

Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.   

Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.   

Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.   

We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU. 

The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our Enquiries team by calling 0330 123 2023 or emailing advice@bnu.ac.uk.

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Employability is at the heart of our MSci (Hons) Cyber Security course, and we will encourage you to prepare for your future career by:

  • obtaining the relevant certifications that can help enhance their employability profile
  • understand clearance requirements; as many jobs in cyber security may require a security clearance, students need to be mindful that past actions could affect their eligibility
  • getting involved and demonstrating an interest in the cyber security field by developing professional relationships; staying abreast of industry trends by joining an association.
  • building a portfolio; seeking opportunities to demonstrate their expertise by co-presenting at industry conferences and completing relevant projects
  • seeking opportunities; looking for ways to obtain professional experience through summer internships, job shadowing or work-study jobs.

We are very proud of our reputation for delivering industry standard courses and the success our graduates achieve after leaving the University. Our MSci Cyber Security degree is perfect for gaining the knowledge and skills needed to kickstart your career as a specialist in the cyber security industry.

The course is designed to equip graduates for senior positions with responsibility for the IT-based security, it opens up the opportunity to work in various sectors, including banking, finance, insurance, information technology, government and consulting/professional services.

With an MSci there are endless career possibilities you can look into, including:

  • Security Analyst
  • Security Engineer or Architect
  • Security IT Manager or Director
  • CISO/CSO Systems Administrator
  • Forensics Investigator
  • Auditor
  • Systems Engineer
  • Integrator.

Did you know?

We are one of the top 10 UK universities mostly likely to produce graduates who go on to own or manage a business (Capital on Tap, 2021).

Course leader

Rafid Al-Khannak - staff profile
Dr Rafid Al-Khannak
  • Associate Professor
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A head and shoulders shot of a smiling Justin Luker wearing glasses and a grey suit looking into the camera
Justin Luker
  • Senior Lecturer
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Shahadate Rezvy staff profile photo
Dr Shahadate Rezvy
  • Senior Lecturer
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A headshot of a smiling John McCarthy, a lecturer in Cyber Security at BNU.
Dr John McCarthy
  • Senior Lecturer
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