Credits
Cyber security is a growing concern – there’s a significant skills gap and global demand for cybersecurity professionals. Our MSc, provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, develops the skills you need to pursue a career in the industry. The course covers various topics, including digital forensics and information, network and systems security. It also incorporates transferable skills applicable to professional development and finishes with a substantial independent project.
This course is provisionally certified by:
The first two-thirds of this MSc is the same as our Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security (E96).
Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
120 credits from:
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
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.
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.
This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems.
Stage 2 (60 credits)
Either 60 credits from:
This research module is the final part of an MSc; you’ll design your own research and submit a dissertation.
Or 30 credits from:
T803 is the capstone module of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project.
And 30 credits from:
Discover the data management principles, practices and technologies required to develop policies, procedures and systems that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of an organisation’s data asset.
This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.
Gain the fundamental knowledge and understanding, and analysis and synthesis skills that you will need to develop software artefacts fit for a real-world organisational context.
Explore the advanced concepts and techniques used throughout the software life cycle, for the effective production and management of large, complex, and long-lived software systems.
This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation.
This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Note, in particular, you can count the credit from the following modules towards only a single qualification: Research project (T802); MSc project: researching in context (T803).
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
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 successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Master of Science in Cyber Security. You’ll be entitled to use the letters MSc Cyber (Open) after your name.
If your masters degree is awardable with a distinction or a merit, the qualification regulations explain how you can achieve these.
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
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; 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.
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.
Most students study the MSc in Cyber Security part-time, completing 60 credits a year over three years. Typically, this means 12–13 study hours each week.
You can also complete this qualification in two years if you study the Stage 1 modules concurrently: two from November to April and two from May to October.
You must complete the MSc in Cyber Security within six years.
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 the area of cyber security and gain a recognised qualification to develop their careers. They have been developed to combine theoretical and practical aspects of cyber security, to enable 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.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ.
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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