About Cyber Security, MSc - at Aston University

Ready to defend organisations, systems and society from the growing threat of cyber attacks?

Course outline

The MSc Cyber Security at Aston University equips you with the advanced technical skills and strategic thinking required to protect and secure modern digital environments. You’ll build robust foundations in ethical hacking, secure programming, cyber operations and risk management, learning how to design and defend secure systems across enterprise IT, cloud environments, mobile platforms and IoT networks.

Through real-world consulting experience, hands-on labs in our isolated CyberLab and industry-aligned modules, you will learn how to detect, prevent and respond to cyber threats. Guided by academic experts and industry practitioners, you will explore global standards such as ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials and prepare for accreditation pathways including CISSP.

You will work collaboratively on security challenges, develop secure software, and practise offensive and defensive techniques in controlled environments. Whether you're from a technical background or transitioning into cyber security, this course prepares you to become a confident, industry-ready security professional capable of tackling complex digital risks.

Key benefits

• Real industry experience through hands-on consulting, lab work and the Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme
• Learn ethical hacking, cyber operations, secure programming, cloud and IoT security in specialist CyberLab facilities
• Designed around industry standards and skills gaps, with pathways towards professional certifications such as CISSP
• Option to extend to 22 months through our professional practice route for additional workplace experience

Where can this degree take me?

Graduates of the MSc Cyber Security programme are prepared for impactful careers across private, public and defence sectors. You will leave equipped for roles including:

• Cyber security analyst
• Ethical hacker / penetration tester
• Security operations analyst
• Threat intelligence specialist
• Cyber consultant
• Secure software engineer
• Data protection and privacy specialist
• Cloud and IoT security engineer

You will be well-placed to work in technology firms, financial institutions, government agencies, consultancy firms and critical infrastructure organisations. This programme also supports progression to research roles or a PhD in cyber security, resilience or digital ecosystems.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact Aston University to find course entry requirements.

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