Study cyber security in the UK
Where can I study cyber security?
Along with two of the best universities in the world for Computer Science – the University of Oxford
(fifth) and the University of Cambridge (sixth) – there are nearly 100 undergraduate and postgraduate
cyber security courses in the UK to choose from.
Wherever you apply you’ll find flexible, research–led teaching, and state–of–the–art computing labs,
infrastructure, academic facilities, and virtual lab facilities. Everything you need for the best possible
start in a career in cyber security.
What is the application process?
To apply for a master’s degree in cyber security you’ll need to have a second class honours degree
or above, ideally in Computer Science or Business Computing. Other degrees with strong computing
and numeracy components such as engineering, mathematics or physics may also be considered.
The typical IELTS requirement is 6.5 overall, and no lower than 6.0 in any one component.
How long does it take to graduate?
Most AI and robotics undergraduate degrees will take around three years to finish in the UK, with
many offering opportunities for a year of work experience and study abroad. Postgraduate degrees
are usually between one and two years.
Some universities also offer an integrated master’s degree, which allows you to complete both the
undergraduate and postgraduate components in four years of full time study.
What is the course structure?
All UK courses are flexible and research–led, meaning you can specialise with modules relevant to
your interests and chosen career as you go. Whatever your focus, you will leave with strong skills in
the most useful areas of the field, such as Big Data Hadoop, Cisco–Networking, Ethical Hacking and
Digital Marketing.Why is the UK a good choice for cyber security?
The UK is one of the most proactive countries battling cyber-terrorism anywhere in the world and has
a cyber security sector worth £8.3bn. Given the massive number of businesses at risk from cyber
threats, and the UK’s heritage in computing and innovation, there’s nowhere better to be exposed to
the latest academic insights, research and industry trends.
Are there any scholarships for cyber security?
A very wide range of master’s scholarships are available to apply for directly through universities,
such as the Royal Holloway University of London and PhDs from the leading SECReT doctoral
research training centre at University College London.
You can also choose to apply for one of the more high profile opportunities such as Chevening
Scholarships or Commonwealth Scholarships, which are both open to residents of any country.
What are my work options after I graduate?
Cyber security offers some great career prospects to UK graduates. The current unemployment rate
is 0 per cent, and it’s forecast to stay that way.
Cyber security professionals are employed by a variety of organisations across all sectors, from
security consultancies, IT companies and network providers to financial services institutions,
government departments and energy companies, and even schools and hospitals. Starting salaries
for cyber security analysts are typically around £25,000 to £35,000.
Many UK cyber security degrees also offer certification from the National Cyber Security Centre,
which can be a big advantage when applying for jobs in a competitive field.
International students who have completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay
and work in the UK for two years upon graduation, through the Graduate Route.
To find out more about studying cyber security in the UK and to find a course,
