Scholarships
The scholarships below are open to international students and those applying from England, Wales & Northern Ireland, with a 2.1 or above for a postgraduate course.
Fully certified by the National Cybersecurity Centre - part of GCHQ - this Master's degree develops the skills and mind set needed to tackle the growing threat of computer hackers. Computer security is a growing concern for organisations of all sizes.
This Master's will put you in the ideal position to pursue a successful and often lucrative career. The industry is currently experiencing a major skills gap and global demand for ethical hackers. It’s not unusual for the salaries of our graduates to start at £35,000-£40,000.
We’re the only university in the UK to offer a Masters programme in ethical hacking. We want to change the way you view cybersecurity to adopt an offensive approach. The best way to beat a hacker is to be able to think like one!
Aimed at Computing/IT/Technology graduates, our MSc Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity covers a wide range of subjects, including penetration testing, digital forensics, information security management, Malware analysis, port scanning, buffer overflows and password cracking. Our research-active teaching staff are at the forefront of new developments, allowing the programme to evolve to cover the latest techniques and guidelines.
There are two modes of studying this degree. Full-time, on-campus over one year or, part-time distance learning over two years. In recent years, full-time on-campus class sizes have been around 25. This allows for closer relationships with academic staff and fellow postgraduates. The part-time distance option offers a virtual lab for practical work and weekly online sessions to meet staff, fellow students and get help.
You’ll learn how to evaluate the impact of security problems and recommend improvements to a network’s security within a legal and ethical framework. You’ll also conduct a master’s project within an area of cybersecurity that’ll allow you to build on your existing skills.
Full-time on campus students completing the degree in one year: The academic year consists of three terms with the masters project module completed in term 3.
Part-time distance learning students completing the degree in two years: Year 1 consists of two terms and Year 2 of three terms with the master project module completed in the final term.
This course is fully certified by GCHQ and accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, as meeting the educational requirement for CITP Further Learning and partially meeting the educational requirement for CEng/CSci registration.
Abertay is a Crest academic partner. CREST builds trust in the digital world by raising professional standards and delivering measurable quality assurance for the global cybersecurity industry.
Lectures are used to present the key concepts, while practicals increase your understanding of the subject and allow you to develop your competence in technological and theoretical work.
You’re taught using a problem-based learning approach.
For full-time on-campus students, teaching takes place in dedicated classrooms. You’ll spend around 12 hours per week attending classes and around 30 hours a week of private study.
For part-time distance learning students, you'll watch video lectures and and complete practical exercises in your own time. For the latter, you'll work remotely in a virtual lab that recreates the safe controlled environment of the Hacking Lab at the University. You'll enjoy the benefits of being part of the academic community through weekly sessions to meet staff, fellow students, the Ethical Hacking Society and to get help with the practical materials for each module.
The taught course will be assessed using a combination of written coursework, presentations and seminars, with a written dissertation at MSc level.
For part-time distance learning students, all assessments and exams would be completed remotely online.
Applicants should have a minimum of a lower second-class (2:2) honours degree in the field of computing/technology/engineering. The course is designed for students whose degree comprises a significant component of software development or networking.
Applicants who do not cover the appropriate subjects during their degree will be considered if they have relevant industry experience. This would normally be a minimum of two years’ experience of working in the area of software development or networking in either a promoted post or with a significant level of responsibility.
An introduction to issues relating to computer security and ethical hacking, including techniques to improve vulnerabilities and computer defence. You’ll analyse how malicious hackers can gain unauthorised access and explore how to improve security.
Provides you with the ability to carry out and critically evaluate computer forensic investigations and appraise forensic software with a view to develop appropriate investigation strategies in the light of emerging digital technologies.
An examination of the many forms of threats to information systems and appropriate countermeasures. This provides you with an understanding of the architecture and management of modern computer networking and of the security implications of the many possible architectural structures.
Provides you with specialist knowledge and experience of advanced hacking techniques and their countermeasures.
Social and technical approaches to better security resilience in systems through consideration of methods of attack and defence. Module content: Hardware Security Challenges; The Ingredients of Machine Learning; Support Vector Machines for Cyber Security; Neural Networks for Cyber Security; Authentication Design; Principles of Secure Software Development; Language and API Design for Security; Static and Dynamic Analysis; Insider Threat.
An introduction to research methods and statistical analysis. Combines theoretical, historical and statistical concepts with hands-on practical lab sessions using both qualitative and quantitative techniques to put theory into practice.
Select, plan, conduct and write up a research based investigation for the Masters Project. The project will include the selection of appropriate research and experimental methods, the collection and analysis of data/information and the evaluation and communication of findings. The result is a solution appropriate to the project aims and a dissertation.
How hard is it to detect a fraudster on a dating app? Can you tell an online scammer posing as a potential lover from the real-deal? An Abertay University student has used virtual reality to highlight just how difficult this could be for people looking for love online.
Graduate Octavia Lea has developed ‘HeartGuard VR: A Romance Scam Experience’ as part of their MSc in Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity. The ‘applied’ game uses virtual reality to highlight the dangers of online romance fraud by allowing users to play as the AI inside a potential victim’s device.
Gamers must weed out the scammers from the real people as messages pour in from dating apps and other messaging platforms. Check out the video below to learn more:
Romance fraud is a growing type of scam which involves criminals luring their victims into false relationships in order to steal their money or personal information. It is one of the most devastating and costly forms of cybercrime, and affects thousands of people across the UK.
Learn more about Abertay's English language requirements, as well as visa information.
Explore English language requirements for entry to Abertay University.
All the information you need about visa requirements for studying here at Abertay University.
The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. Visit the links below and scroll down to find the Postgraduate section.
Find out about grants, bursaries, maintenance loans and living costs in our postgraduate taught fees and funding section.
The scholarships below are open to international students and those applying from England, Wales & Northern Ireland, with a 2.1 or above for a postgraduate course.
This £1,000 award is open to all prospective new postgraduate students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This £3,000 award is open to all prospective new international postgraduate students at Abertay University.