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Professional Practice in Digital Forensics and Security MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

Digital forensics and security are increasingly in the public eye. Whether it is the theft of a laptop containing secret information, high profile hacking incidents, anti-terrorism operations or controversies surrounding lost data, it is impossible to ignore the importance and excitement surrounding digital forensics and security.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That’s why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

The full MSc course consists of eight modules (at 15 credits each) and an MSc Project/Dissertation (at 60 credits). Seven of the taught modules are delivered and assessed jointly by De 51³Ô¹Ïapp University staff and 7Safe trainers with the eighth being a stand alone distance learning module that 51³Ô¹Ïapp is responsible for. The Project/Dissertation is delivered and assessed by 51³Ô¹Ïapp alone. Successful completion of the MSc gives students seven industry recognised professional certificates and the MSc.

Most students embark on their MSc after successfully completing one or more 7Safe courses. On successful completion of the 7Safe hands-on training course, you are then eligible to apply to 51³Ô¹Ïapp for an academic top-up/assessment by distance learning. Taking the course in this way is normally a part-time pathway and you should expect to study for two-three years. However, you can register directly with 51³Ô¹Ïapp for the full degree and the university then manages your attendance and progression through the relevant 7Safe modules and academic assessments. Registering with 51³Ô¹Ïapp direct can therefore provide a full-time route through the course.

Key features

  • Get professional recognition as well as a master's degree. On successful completion, you will have seven industry-recognised professional certificates, in addition to the MSc.

  • Study in our purpose built Cyber Security Centre (CSC), a dedicated cyber security and forensics laboratory, where you can further develop your practical and professional skills.

  • Benefit from expertise and knowledge from industry experts. This course is developed and delivered in conjunction with 7Safe.

  • Fit your studies in around your other commitments. Start dates are spaced out throughout the year, and you have the option to take most modules in any order that suits you.

  • Enjoy excellent graduate prospects and gain the specialist skills and expertise to progress in one of the most rapidly expanding areas of computing.

 

For UK and EU status students enrolling from 1st September 2021 to 31st August 2022, the full-time fee for this course payable to De 51³Ô¹Ïapp University is £6,260. Students can also expect to incur additional fees for 7Safe modules, which are set by 7Safe. Please visit 7Safe for more information.

 

More courses like this:

Cyber Security MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

51³Ô¹Ïapp has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

  • UK
  • EU/International

Location of study: 51³Ô¹Ïapp or online/distance learning

Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time or by distance learning

Start dates: January 2022, September 2022

Fees and funding:  2021/22: £6,260 

2022/23 full-time fees for UK students: £17,048, part-time fees: £1,738 per 15 credits except for project £2,800

Students can also expect to incur additional fees for 7safe modules, which are set by 7safe. Please visit 7safe for more information.

Part-time Fees: Please contact us for more information

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Additional costs and optional extras associated with this course

Location of study: 51³Ô¹Ïapp or online/distance learning

Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time or by distance learning

Start dates: January 2022, September 2022

Fees and funding: 2022/23 full-time fees for EU/International students: £18,780, part time and distance learning fees: £2,000 per 15 credits except for project £2,800

Entry criteria

For the 51³Ô¹Ïapp element of the programme modules

You should have the equivalent of a British Honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a relevant subject or five years’ work experience in an appropriate field.

We expect applicants to have successfully completed at least one 7Safe module.

We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications from anywhere in the world.

If you do not have the normal entry requirements but can demonstrate substantial experience in an appropriate area, you can be considered for entry to the course.

 

 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

 

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Professional links

 

 

Network Security and Ethical Hacking 1 (CSTA - Ethical Hacking 1)

Students learn the principles and processes involved in network security, including major hacking attacks that may be used against organisations networks. A range of counter measures are also covered.

Network Security and Ethical Hacking 2 (CSTP - Ethical Hacking 2)

This module provides you with the knowledge of, and how to protect against, the ‘OWASP Top-Ten’. It is an essential component of modern information security strategies and a requirement of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Wireless Security (CWSA - Wireless Security)

This module develops expertise in wireless network security. Using case studies students learn the principles, threats and associated protection strategies related to wireless networks.

Forensic Tools and Processes (CFIP - Forensic Investigations)

Develops expertise in static digital forensic analysis. Using case studies students learn the principles and processes involved in undertaking and reporting a professional ‘static’ forensic investigation. The assessment of the module provides an opportunity for specialisation and the development of personalised training and development.

 

 

Applied Forensics – Malware Investigations (CMI – Malware Investigations)

This module develops expertise in malware behavioural analysis, an increasingly important skill. Using case studies students learn the principles and processes involved in undertaking a thorough professional malware analysis.

Advanced Forensics and Incident Response (CSIS – Computer Security Incident Investigation)

Provides an understanding of security incidents and their impact on business continuity. The module will provide the knowledge and skills in prevention techniques to protect organisations’ assets from security incidents. You will develop knowledge in the principles and practice of a forensic incident response, including live analysis of servers as well as gaining skills in gathering data, remote acquisition, external and internal scanning analysis and containment techniques.

Security Strategy and Standards (CIIP – Implementing ISO 27001)

This module develops knowledge of and skills in management of information security 
risk assessment and security policy formulation, certification processes and required procedures and state of the art risk management models and strategies.

Advanced Topics in Forensics and Security 

Students learn, appreciate and engage with the main academic, professional  and research concerns of computer security and forensics. This module is research led and focused; most of the work will be involve engaging with topics at the leading edge of research in this domain. The module help to prepare  students for the MSc Project.

MSc Project/Dissertation

Provides the opportunity to develop and to demonstrate skills acquired from the taught course or development during the project in the solution of real practical and or theoretical problems.

 

 

For each of the shared modules students undertake a professional and specialist hand-on training course at 7Safe (Cambridge) and following  successful completion of that they are then eligible to apply to 51³Ô¹Ïapp for the distance learning  ‘top-up’ and assessment. Successfully completing the 51³Ô¹Ïapp further learning and assessment for each course/module gives student’s 15 Masters credits.

Contact and learning hours

The full MSc course consists of eight modules (15 credits each) and an MSc Project/Dissertation (60 credits). To complete a module, you will normally spend between around 15 and 30 hours in taught sessions in a week; the exact amount of hours will depend on the specific module chosen.

 

 

Assessment is by a combination of tests, coursework, projects and other laboratory-based assessments. For postgraduate awards students must successfully accumulate the following credits:

Post Graduate Certificate
60 credits

Post graduate Diploma
120 credits

MSc
180 credits

Apart from the following two restrictions, modules can be studied in any order.

  1. Advanced Forensics and Incident Response can normally only be taken after Forensic Tools and Processes (or equivalent) has been passed.
  2. Advanced Topics in Forensics and Security and the MSc Project/Dissertation must normally be studied in that order and be the last two modules studied by those students wishing to progress to the full MSc.

 

Developed and delivered in conjunction with 7Safe, this course provides you with knowledge of the very latest computer forensics and security principles, practices, tools and techniques, taught by a team of experienced and specialist staff in purpose-built computer forensics and security laboratories. If you are interested in a challenging career in one of the most rapidly expanding areas of computing then this is the course for you.

 

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Facilities and features

Facilities

The Cyber Security Laboratories are among the best equipped facilities of this type in the UK. Developed in consultation with leaders in the industry, they are designed to meet the highest forensics and security standards.

The laboratories contain 65 high-spec, specially customised PCs configured with multiple operating systems, virtualisation and removable hard drives, as well as specialised servers, wired and wireless networking equipment and a wide variety of other hardware and software components.

Cyber Technology Institute

The laboratories are also the base for the University's Cyber Technology Institute (CTI), a multidisciplinary group of academics and industry experts who focus on a wide variety of cyber security and digital forensics issues. Their mission is to provide the full benefits to all of a safe, secure and resilient cyberspace.

The laboratories play a vital role in the group's research and development work. Whether you are a first year undergraduate or a PhD student, within the laboratories you will be working with the latest tools and techniques at the forefront of computer forensics and security research.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our , e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Learning Zone, Collaborate Ultra, 51³Ô¹Ïapp Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live , online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our , and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

51³Ô¹Ïapp's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities 51³Ô¹Ïapp Careers Team
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51³Ô¹Ïapp Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

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Graduate careers

Graduates are likely to be employed as computer security specialists within law enforcement, government or other related agencies, in commercial IT departments or security consultancies, or in other computing positions where computer security is an issue. It is anticipated that successful completion of the MSc will support the career development of graduates. Opportunities also exist for further academic study towards a PhD and a career in research.

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