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Buckinghamshire New University

UCAS Code: MCYB | Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)

Entry requirements

A level

B,C,C-C,C,D

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 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM-MMP

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 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

UCAS Tariff

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 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

About this course

Course option

4years

Full-time | 2025

Subject

Computing and information technology

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.

**Why study Cyber Security at BNU?**
**Integrated Master's Degree**
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.

**Industry aligned curriculum**
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.

**Hands-on learning**
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.

**Learn from industry experts**
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 will I study?**
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).

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.

Modules

**Year one**
**Core**
Programming Concepts
Computer Architecture
Networking
Cyber Systems and Threats
Computational Fundamentals

**Year two**
**Core**
Information Security
Malware and Cyber Security Management
Research Methods
**Optional**
Digital Forensics Investigation and Penetration Testing
Data Essentials
Network Systems

**Year three**
**Core**
Secure Business Management
**Optional**
Security Auditing and Response
Network Security
Cloud Computing
Software Testing and QA
Digital Innovation
Knowledge-Based Systems in Artificial Intelligence
Learning Machines & Intelligent Agents

**Year four**
**Core**
Cyber Security Assurance and Risk Management
Extended Independent Work
**Optional**
Mobile and Information Systems Security Management
Cyber Security in Network Systems
Cloud Security
Business Continuity and Cyber Resilience
AI Based Security Systems

Assessment methods

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.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,535
per year
England
£9,535
per year
EU
£15,150
per year
International
£15,150
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,535
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,535
per year
Scotland
£9,535
per year
Wales
£9,535
per year

Extra funding

There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.

The Uni

Course location:

High Wycombe Campus

Department:

School of Creative and Digital Industries

Read full university profile

What students say

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Information technology

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

72%
UK students
28%
International students
82%
Male students
18%
Female students
60%
2:1 or above
29%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
C
D

After graduation

The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Information technology

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£25,000
low
Average annual salary
80%
low
Employed or in further education
85%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

22%
Information technology and telecommunications professionals
11%
Artistic, literary and media occupations
11%
Design occupations

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Information technology

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£18k

£18k

£23k

£23k

£35k

£35k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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