As our reliance on digital technologies grows, so does the need to defend them. With increasing cyber-attacks on critical infrastructures and personal information, the demand for cyber security has surged. This MSc aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills, including AI and machine learning techniques, to identify, mitigate, and prevent cyber threats and set you up for a thriving career in this rapidly evolving field.
Introduction
Our Cyber Security MSc programme provides a solid foundation for you if you want to pursue a career or become a researcher within the field of cyber security.
The programme offers an exciting blend of learning experiences, delivered by world-leading experts and members of the University of Liverpool Cybersecurity Institute. We dive into the strategies, technologies, and methodologies used to protect digital systems from cyber threats, exploring critical issues and ethical considerations in the discipline.
You’ll learn how to identify and respond to cyber-attacks and how to design, develop, and implement robust security systems. This includes studying essential areas like communication network security, cryptographic protocols, artificial intelligence, and digital forensics.
With training in machine and deep learning, intrusion detection, firewalls, and ethical hacking, you’ll be prepared to detect and defend against evolving threats while understanding the legal and ethical dimensions of cyber security. You’ll also gain insight into emerging fields such as quantum cryptography, Internet of Things (IoT) and nanotech security, equipping you to tackle future cyber challenges.
You will graduate with a wide range of career opportunities and will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience to make a real-world impact.
This is an exciting time to join this brand-new course. The University is recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and is committed to support and invest in the University’s cybersecurity research capacity and capability.
Who is this course for?
This course is for you if you want to take the leap into cyber security. Our MSc is for graduates with a good first degree in a related subject including, but not limited to, computer science, IT, engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry & medical sciences.
You do not require a programming background as there will be optional modules on programming.
What you'll learn
How to design, develop and implement secure systems using appropriate languages, algorithms and protocols
Critical assessment skills
To apply knowledge of legal, ethical and social implications of cyber security practices
How to effectively communicate cyber security concepts, research findings and project outcomes to both technical and non-technical audiences
The ability to evaluate and adapt to emerging technologies and challenges
Proficiency in forensic investigations, secure system design, and organisational security
How to plan, execute and critically evaluate a major cyber security related project
Practical and personal skills that are required to work as part of a team in today’s IT industry
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
You’ll study three compulsory modules and one optional module in semester one. Based on prior knowledge and experience of programming, the optional module will either be Programming Fundamentals (COMP517) or one of either Quantum Computing (COMP345 – currently in development) and Knowledge Representation (COMP521). Prior programming knowledge will be assessed with an informal, ungraded programming task.
Compulsory modules
Research Methods in Computer Science (COMP516)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
In this module the students will learn and practise all the necessary skills needed to conduct independent research in computer science, including literature search, project management, presentation techniques, peer reviewing, writing skills and critical review of texts. They will also learn about the professional, legal, social and ethical framework of the IT industry. The module covers, e.g., planning and scheduling projects and drawing Gantt charts. Students shall also conduct a research project (including research, paper, literature review, or MSc project proposal, …) and use tools like EndNote and Zotero bibliography manager within MS Word and Latex.
Privacy and Security (COMP522)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The module "Privacy and Security" covers topics such as: identification and authentication, monitoring protocols, attacks and defences, legal and ethical issues and future directions.
Communications Networks (ELEC461)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module introduces the principles of communications networks, thier components and protocols.
Students are provided with basic concepts about network architectures, the reference models used to describe them, the major protocols used at each communications layer, and the tools to analyse the performance of link layer, median access control, Network and Transport layer protocols.
The main protocols for routing packets over the Internet are also introduced, along with an overview of the packet switching architectures used in the core of today’s routers.
Optional modules
Programming Fundamentals (COMP517)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The aim of COMP517 is to help you to learn how to design and create software. Central to this will be an understanding of and practical experience with a modern programming language, but you will also be made aware of the importance of using sound software engineering techniques to develop high quality programs. As with many endeavours (swimming, chess-playing, story-writing) programming is a skill that must be learned and improved upon by constant practice. In this module, therefore, the emphasis will be on self-study. Although lectures will be used to introduce the various topics, you will be expected to spend the majority of your time attempting numerous exercises and completing the specified assignments.
Knowledge Representation (COMP521)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The module introduces formalisms to reason about knowledge and information. One such formalism is epistemic logic, where one can explicitly represent of what an agent (robot, human, system) knows about the world or about others, as in "I have sent a message, how do I know that it has been received, and that the receiver knows I know this?"
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
You’ll study four compulsory modules in semester two. In addition to the three compulsory modules listed below, you’ll also study Digital Forensics (COMP536). Students who have previously taken the module Computer Forensics (COMP343) on another course at the University of Liverpool will replace the module Digital Forensics (COMP536 – currently in development) with a suitable alternative. This will be agreed with the Director of Studies.
Compulsory modules
MSc Group Project (COMP530)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module is designed to allow students to consolidate work from the first semester by working as a programming team to realise a solution to a problem related to their programme of study.
Safety and Dependability (COMP524)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
Safety and Dependability will cover techniques for the validation of systems against formal specifications. In a first part, safety specifications (something bad never happens) using the Hoare calculus and safe abstraction are covered. A second part refers to termination (something good eventually happens), exploiting well foundedness. In a third part, Markov chains and decision processes are studied, extending the qualitative safety and termination problems from the first part to qualitative/probabilistic properties, and extending them to a simple probabilistic specification language, PCTL. As part of the module, the ability of formulating (probabilistic) models as Markov chains and decision processes are taught, as well as the use of of-the-shelf tools like PRISM or IscasMC for their analysis.
Applied Artificial Intelligence (COMP534)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module gives an introduction to key areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computer Vision.
It discusses fundamental problems in these areas and covers common methods to solve them.
Students will develop the practical skills necessary to build AI applications using data from different domains.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Final project
Your final project will give you the opportunity to work independently to explore a substantial problem in depth, making practical use of the principles, techniques, and methodologies you have acquired during the programme.
You will create a proposal, a presentation, and a final dissertation.
Compulsory modules
MSc Project (COMP702)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
Masters Level final project (individual project with dissertation)
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Teaching on this programme comprises of formal lectures, small group tutorials and practical sessions in computer laboratories. You will also take part in one or more group projects. At the end of the year, you’ll complete a major individual project under expert supervision.
How you're assessed
Modules are assessed through a combination of examinations and coursework. The examinations take place at the end of each semester and typically take the form of an in-person written assignment, usually to be completed in a couple of hours. You’ll be assigned coursework across the length of each semester. This typically takes the form of class tests, programming assignments or small projects.
Your dissertation is assessed through a combination of written reports and a presentation of your achievements.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Your experience
The Department of Computer Science is a Centre of Excellence for teaching and research. The latest Research Excellence Framework rated 97% of our research outputs as being world-leading or internationally excellent, the highest proportion of any Computer Science department in the UK.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
An exciting place to study Computer Science
You will be taught by some of the best researchers in the field. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, the research output of our department was ranked 5th in the UK. This research expertise shows through in our teaching
We teach in state-of-the-art PC and Mac laboratories running a variety of different operating systems, as well as iOS and Android tablets to encourage creativity and innovation within a stimulating environment in which to work and study
Our programmes are continually updated to reflect new technologies and trends.
Cyber Security graduates have excellent employment prospects and the demand for qualified professionals is growing each year. With salaries across the sector rising, now is the perfect time to start your career.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
The University of Liverpool is one of the most targeted universities by top employers, according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research. This means our graduates are in demand for employment, and sought after by top employers worldwide.
Qualifying with a Cyber Security degree from Liverpool will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to explore opportunities in many sectors. The career opportunities in Cyber Security are vast. Graduates find work in roles such as:
Cyber Security Analyst
Security Architect
Security Consultant
Network Engineer
Cyber Risk Management
Cybersecurity engineer
Information security engineer
Information security analyst
Cybersecurity officer
IT Security specialist
Cyber defence forensics analyst
Digital forensics
Vulnerability assessment analyst
Cyber defence incident responder
Security systems administrator
Cryptography engineer
Computer network defence analyst
Cybersecurity incident handler
& many more
In the UK, Salaries for cyber security analysts with one to three years’ experience typically range from £37,500 to £52,500.
Experienced cyber security analysts with four to six years’ experience can earn between £47,500 and £60,000, rising to between £65,000 and £80,000 for senior analysts with seven to nine years’ experience.
In higher-level managerial or leadership roles, they may receive salaries ranging from around £72,500 to in excess of £100,000.
Our graduates are also highly sought after in other industries for their analytical, communications, management, business and IT skills.
£25,000-£37,000+ salary for entry-level roles, with salaries rising across the sector, and higher-level managerial roles paid in excess of £100,000.
Prospects 2024
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£13,300
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£30,800
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Medical subject, including Computer Science. Previous experience with programming is not required.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT
88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19
Duolingo English Test
120 overall, with no component below 95
LanguageCert Academic
70 overall, with no skill below 60
PSI Skills for English
B2 Pass with Merit overall and no band below B2 Pass
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
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