General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in IT, Computer Science, or a related subject. 

Candidates with a UK 2:2 (or equivalent) may be accepted upon demonstration of relevant professional experience. 

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

Candidates with professional experience should include their CV with their application.

Core modules

Core modules are required modules that all students will complete whilst on this programme. For Cyber Security Engineering (CSE), your core modules are: 

• Cyber Security Research Methods 
• Managing Cyber Risk Audit and Compliance 
• Network Security
• Applied Cryptography 

• Digital Forensic Investigation 

• Ethical Hacking 
• Proactive Cyber Defence 

Optional modules

Alongside your core modules you should select an additional elective module. Options will be made available at the beginning of the academic year and will include modules such as:  

• Enterprise Cyber Security 

• Cyber-Physical Systems 
• Cloud Security 

• Cyber Incident Management 
• Data Science and Machine Learning 

Read the module descriptions for this course on WMG’s website.Link opens in a new window

Teaching

This course has two components – a taught component accounting for two thirds of your time and effort, and a research component accounting for one-third.

For the taught component, we blend synchronous and asynchronous learning delivered through lectures, seminars, lab work, syndicate exercises, simulations, and case studies. The majority of modules are taught in small classes to facilitate and encourage interaction. Others practice larger-scale lectures, which are then supported by small class seminar and group activities. Our module leaders have extensive industry experience. Guest speakers from industry also contribute regularly, bringing real-world insight into your learning experience.

In addition to your taught modules, you will undertake a major project as part of your Masters’ degree, which will develop your research and analytical skills and enable you to specialise. This is nominally 600 hours (60 CATS points) of learning, mainly taking place during the Spring and Summer terms. You will engage regularly with your Project Supervisor and to provide progress updates and drafts of your work to an agreed schedule.

As a CSE student, your project will need to demonstrate technical depth and will ideally involve coding and/or practical experimentation. 

Class sizes

Overall this course can accommodate up to 60 students, divided into two classes of 30 students for most modules.

Typical contact hours

Module delivery patterns vary, but most will be delivered in a short learning block of up to 4 weeks, allowing your focus to be on one module at a time. Each module nominally accounts for 150 hours, which includes scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments.

Assessment

Modules are predominantly assessed by way of written Post Module Assignments (PMA), but assessment can also be in other formats. Most modules will also have a degree of In-Module Assessment (IMA), which will vary by module and may take the form of presentations, on-line tests, self-reflection or a range of other methods.

For the research component, you will undertake a major project. Project submission is likely to include both a written and a presentation element, and accounts for 33% of your overall academic grade.

Your timetable

Core modules will be allocated to students at the end of the first week of term - you will then be able to view your individual module schedule for the rest of the year via the WMG module selection system.

Elective modules will be bookable through the same system later in the term.

Modules will include scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments, and will usually be delivered within a 4 week timeframe. Occasional classes and study skills sessions may be held at weekends or in the evenings.

As a Masters student, you are expected to manage your own time appropriately. On average, you are expected to commit 38-40 hours of study each week, in order to successfully achieve your Master’s degree.

This is a full-time postgraduate course - undergraduate term dates do not apply. Whilst there are no holidays as such, there will be no teaching scheduled when the University is officially closed, during the two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Your career

Graduates from Cyber Security in WMG have gone on to work for a variety of employers including:

• Accenture
• PWC
• KPMG
• Deloitte
• IBM
• Ministry of Defence
• HP
• Cisco
• Tata Consulting Services

They have pursued roles such as:

• Cyber Security Consultant
• Information Security Analyst
• Technology Analyst
• IT Security and Governance Officer
• Security Project Manager
• Network Consulting Engineer
• IT Risk and Resilience Manager
• Senior Investigation Officer

Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• WMG Future Fest
• Options in Engineering sector event
• Careers for experienced hires
• Careers in Cyber Security
• Careers in healthcare
• Careers in project management

WMG at Warwick

Having forged strong links with global companies through 42 years of collaborative research and development, we really understand the global market you’ll be operating in, and have designed our programmes to match.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window

Our courses

• Cyber Security Engineering (MSc)
• Cyber Security Management (MSc)
• e-Business Management (MSc)
• Engineering Business Leadership (MSc)
• Engineering Business Management (MSc)
• Games Engineering (MSc)
• Healthcare Operational Management (MSc)
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSc)
• Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (MSc)
• International Trade, Strategy and Operations (MSc)
• Programme and Project Management (MSc)
• Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (MSc)
• Supply Chain and Logistics Management (MSc)
• Supply Chain Leadership (MSc)
• Sustainable Automotive Electrification (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research degrees

• Engineering (MPhil/PhD)
• Engineering Doctorate (EngD)
• MSc by Research (WMG) (MSc)

Visiting WMG

There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. WMG also organises events for prospective students including a weekly Live Chat so you can connect directly with the department to speak with staff and students from WMG. For more about university wide open days and tours, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.

Scholarships and bursaries

Additional funding information

We have a number of research projects available which are fully or partially funded. The majority of these are for UK/EU applicants, though occasionally we advertise positions that are also open to overseas applicants. Please refer to specific project descriptions for details. See our Research Degree opportunities here.