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Course type: Diploma
Credits: 120

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes: 2 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Course cost: See Fees and funding
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security

: Course code: E96

This industry-relevant qualification gives a rigorous approach to studying and applying cyber security. It covers various topics, including digital forensics, information security, network security and systems security and incorporates transferable skills applicable to professional development. It’s also the first two-thirds of our MSc in Cyber Security (F87).

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026
Digital forensics (M812) M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Systems security (M817) This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security. See full description Register	30	01 May 2026
Network security (T828) This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2026

Compulsory modules

Credits

Next start

Information security (M811)

Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security.

See full description

01 Nov 2026

Digital forensics (M812)

M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness.

See full description

01 May 2026

Systems security (M817)

This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security.

See full description

01 May 2026

Network security (T828)

This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems.

See full description

01 Nov 2026

Credit transfer

If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip Cyber (Open) after your name.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 18 March 2025.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security

Modules

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

How long it takes

Career relevance

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Modules

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

How long it takes

Career relevance

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Where do you live?