Our advanced, four-year MSci degree with a dedicated information security pathway is designed to give you the knowledge, skills and practical experience to pursue a high level career. It offers a thorough grounding in computer science as a whole, as well as an in-depth study of the latest trends and technologies in the exciting and rapidly developing world of information security. You will have the chance to showcase your abilities in an extended final year project on an information security topic, and this course is particularly recommended for students who want to go on to postgraduate study or a high-level technical career. It will also give you a competitive edge over graduates from standard three-year BSc courses.

The creation, transmission and storage of huge volumes of electronic data is one of the defining features of our age. It brings us untold benefits but it also exposes businesses, governments and individuals to repeated threats. On this course you will develop all the skills you need to pursue a career in computing, and the knowledge and practical experience to manage and improve the smooth running and security of systems, applications and organisations. You will learn from leading researchers in the field, covering topics such as cryptography, computer security and fraud detection. All this will be underpinned by a solid grounding in the fundamentals of computing and all the essentials of application development. From the outset you will be experimenting with programming games, robots, Gadgeteer kits, Subversion, JUnit testing, Scrum-based Agile software and more, in our well-equipped laboratories. Alongside our core modules you will have the flexibility to choose from a range of optional courses. There is also the possibility of transferring onto our five-year, year in industry course subject to good academic progress.

We are a highly respected, research-focused department with a friendly approach and award-winning teaching. We offer a summer work placement course and a dedicated personal adviser to guide you through your studies. You will also be welcome to join our thriving Computing Society. We are one of only seven departments in the UK to hold the Athena SWAN bronze award for our commitment to increasing female participation in computer science.

Our MSci graduates are highly employable, with a depth of knowledge and practical skills that set them apart from BSc students. Information security specialists are in demand across a wide range of sectors, from private companies to banking, telecommunications, security consultancies, the civil service, public utilities, retail, the military and more. They work in a rapidly developing and expanding field, with lucrative job opportunities. We have particularly strong links with the information security industry and after four years of studying you will be well prepared to take your career to the highest levels.

This course will give you a solid grounding in the knowledge, skills and practical experience required for a successful career in computing and information security or related fields. You will learn to analyse and solve problems with creativity, to translate technological innovations into programming solutions, to design, implement, test and maintain software systems, and to digest and explain complex technical information. You will also showcase your abilities in an extended independent research project, study modules at master level, and develop valuable transferrable skills such as: team working, advanced IT skills, critical thinking, data handling, communication, time management and self-motivation.

Our partners in industry advise us on our curriculum, to make sure it responds to the latest market needs and trends. This means our graduates are up-to-speed with all the latest trends and developments. We run jobs fairs and a short-term work placement scheme, and your personal adviser and the campus Careers team will be on hand to offer advice on career opportunities. We also maintain strong links with our alumni, who can often provide advice, contacts and networking opportunities. In recent years, our computer science graduates have launched careers in everything from network systems design and web development, to business management and finance. They work in organisations such as: Amazon, American Express, Apple, Bupa, Capita, CGI-Logica, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Symantec, among many others.