Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security | Open University

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Advance into the rapidly expanding field of cyber security by building specialist knowledge and professional confidence through this postgraduate diploma. You’ll explore core topics such as information security and digital forensics, developing your technical, analytical and investigative skills in real-world contexts. Ideal for security professionals, engineers, or analysts aiming to enhance their credentials and strengthen their impact, the qualification offers a pathway into advanced roles or a route to top up to an MSc. You’ll gain a recognised postgraduate qualification and the capability to drive security initiatives and respond to evolving threats.

This postgraduate diploma is the same as the first two-thirds of our

MSc in Cyber Security (F87)

To gain this qualification, you'll study four compulsory 30-credit modules.

Modules	Credits	Next start
You'll study all four of the following:
Digital forensics (M812) Cover the history of forensics, criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices and forensic readiness. Next start date: 01 May 2026 See full description	30	01 May 2026
Information security (M811) Explore the professional and technical skills to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of information security. Next start date: 01 Nov 2026 See full description	30	01 Nov 2026
Network security (T828) This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations, which explore information systems security management and secure Internetworked systems. Next start date: 01 Nov 2026 See full description	30	01 Nov 2026
Systems security (M817) Learn how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cybersecurity. Next start date: 01 May 2026 See full description	30	01 May 2026

By studying the Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security, you’ll:

You’ll study independently through online materials, practical activities and tutor-supported learning.

You’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip Cyber (Open) after your name.

Your postgraduate diploma may be awarded with a distinction or a merit. The qualification regulations explain the criteria you’ll need to meet to earn one of these classifications.

If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.

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.

We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our

Academic Regulations

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Most students study the Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security part-time, completing 60 credits per year over a two-year period. Typically, this translates to 16–20 hours of study per week.

You can also complete this qualification in one year by studying modules concurrently: two from November to April and two from May to October. If you wish to stay at this faster rate, you’ll need to devote 32–40 hours each week to your studies.

The recommended hours include time to work through that week’s online study planner, complete recommended reading, and attend tutorials.

You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security within four years.

At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.

As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.

Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:

Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.

Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.

For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.

See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.

Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:

The Open University provides advice and guidance to help students who have disabilities, long-term health conditions, specific learning difficulties or mental health difficulties.

For more information, visit our Disability support page.

Discover how the OU’s Disability Support Team helps students with advice, adjustments and resources.

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:

Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Although this qualification has no entry requirements, we recommend you have:

Our free course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, helps you develop the skills and confidence to manage the requirements and demands of postgraduate study.

If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.

You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.

For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

You’ll pay for your qualification one module at a time, rather than the full cost upfront. The fee for each module is listed in its description.

£7,460*

Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.

There are some additional costs that aren’t included.

Further information is available in the module descriptions.

*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our

Fee Rules

Learn more about spreading the costs with monthly instalments and our other funding options below.

Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.

More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.

We’ll show you how you can pay by bank transfer or combine payment methods.

You may be eligible for:

The modules in the postgraduate cyber security programme are for professional security specialists, computer specialists, engineers, technical managers, and scientists who need to develop or update their skills and knowledge in cyber security and gain a recognised qualification to advance their careers. They have been designed to combine the theoretical and practical aspects of cyber security, enabling you to become an effective professional in the industry.

In addition, they aim to encourage you, through the provision of appropriate educational activities, to develop study and transferable skills applicable to your employment and your continuing professional development.

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

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Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.

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Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.