Cyber Security MSc

Our Cyber Security MSc focuses on information and system security and the analysis of complex systems, including machine learning.

Cyber Security is a dynamic area of computing science. It's about understanding:

• how the features and vulnerabilities of a system can be exploited by attackers
• how to detect, prevent and respond to these attackers

Cyber Security is also a process, requiring input from and interaction with end-users, stakeholders, decision-makers or system designers.

The MSc Cyber Security is designed for honours graduates in computing science, or a discipline with a significant computing component, for example:

• engineering
• systems engineering
• mathematics

You should have a good background in computer systems, including programming. We also value relevant industrial computing experience and transferable skills.

Our research and development in dependable and secure computing is world-leading. Our international research groups and research centres focus on a wide range of computer science fields, including:

• security and resilience
• dependable systems
• cybercrime
• cloud computing

Professional accreditation and recognition

British Computer Society (BCS)

The course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). The BCS is the chartered institute for IT. Studying for a BCS-accredited degree provides the foundation for professional membership of the BCS upon graduation and is the first step to becoming a chartered IT professional.

Network of Teaching Excellence in Computer Science

The School of Computing at Newcastle University is an accredited and recognised Partner in the Network of Teaching Excellence in Computer Science.

Newcastle University has been recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) by the National Cyber Security Centre and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

A Global Top 125 university (QS World University Rankings 2023), Newcastle is home to 29,000 students from 140 countries.

A founding member of the Russell Group, we are one of only 19 universities in the world – and just three in the UK – to achieve a five-plus QS Star rating for overall excellence (2022).

We can trace our origins back to the School of Medicine and Surgery, established in 1834.

Today, we combine world-leading research with a world-class academic experience.

A global leader with strengths in ageing and health, data, energy, cities, and the creative arts, we’re pioneering solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the world. In the UK’s Research Excellence Framework 2021, 42% of our research was scored as world-leading.

Through 5-star teaching (QS Stars 2022), we educate for life. Students are challenged and supported to learn from world-class experts across more than 185 undergraduate and 300 postgraduate degrees.

Student experience

Students are supported to reach their full potential by our Student Health and Wellbeing services that provide counselling, mental health, disability and specialist learning support, as well as financial support and faith and spirituality support.

We’ve developed an online Academic Skills Kit to support students in becoming effective independent learners.

Our Students' Union is at the heart of the Newcastle experience, offering more than 180 student-run societies and over 60 sports clubs.

A top student city

Multicultural, vibrant and friendly, Newcastle is the capital of North East England – the University’s city-centre campus is at its heart.

A global top 50 and UK top 10 student city, it’s also one of the most affordable in the UK (QS Best Student Cities, 2023).

Newcastle offers top-class sports, a vibrant arts scene, great shopping and exciting nightlife. It’s also close to beautiful countryside and award-winning beaches.