Cyber Security, MSc

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Course Overview

Our MSc in Cyber Security covers critical modern technology issues from the security and privacy of personal data to cyberterrorism, cybercrime and mobile security.

Our course is the first in Wales to be fully and completely certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

In this branch of Computer Science at Swansea, a holistic and interdisciplinary approach brings together modules on penetration testing, formal modelling, information security management, cryptography and artificial intelligence.

You will complete this course with an informed and alert mindset suitable for a career in cyber security.

Why Cyber Security at Swansea?

Our £32.5m Computational Foundry lies at the heart of this course. Sophisticated teaching and research equipment include a Vision and Biometric Lab, a Maker Lab, a Theory Lab, a Cyber Security/Networking Lab, a User Lab and a Visualisation Suite.

The cybersecurity lab enables you to explore the security landscape, undertake experiments in network security, mobile security, and investigate threats in the context of the Internet of Things.

Computer Science at Swansea University is widely acknowledged as a leading UK department, with rankings reflecting teaching and research excellence. 

This programme is currently ranked:

  • Top 201-250 in the World (THE World University Rankings 2025)
  • 201-250 in the World for Computer Science and Information Systems (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), and we have
  • 100% World-leading and Internationally Excellent Ratings for Research Impact (REF 2021), and
  • 90% of our Research is World-leading and Internationally Excellent (REF 2021)

You will be taught by staff from internationally renowned AI research groups, including Professor Matt Jones, who has recently been awarded a prestigious personal five-year Fellowship by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Your Cyber Security Experience

You will first undertake a series of modules, a number of which will be compulsory and others you will choose. The next stage of the MSc is shaped by a 60-credit project module.

Over the course of this degree you will be taught by staff from internationally renowned research groups. Their knowledge of constant developments in computer science helps to keep your learning fresh and relevant to the wider industry.

After the taught stage of the MSc a further four months is spent on a substantial cyber security research project. This involves cutting edge techniques for specifying, developing, verifying and accessing systems against security criteria. You will benefit from our range of industrial partners and world-leading research expertise.

Our commitment to keeping up with the technological curve is reflected in the hardware you will be working with every day. Laboratories at Swansea are continually upgraded to ensure equipment is never more than three years old, and rarely more than two. The Computational Foundry on our Bay Campus is the nucleus of a vibrant community for world-class research leaders in computer science.

Cyber Security Employment Opportunities

Completing this MSc will considerably enhance your cyber security career prospects. Your future pathway might include any of the following:

  • Cyber threat analyst
  • Penetration tester
  • PhD researcher
  • Data security analyst
  • Secure web developer
  • Verification engineer

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.