Program Overview
Share Facebook Linkedin Email Postgraduate Taught 2026 autism-practice-msc robotics-artificial-intelligence-msc artificial-intelligence-pgcert history-pgdip engineering-energy-economics-the-environment-pgcert applied-cyber-security-pgcert data-analytics-pgcert technology-management-msc sound-music-pgcert sound-music-pgdip masters-law-mlaw international-commercial-business-law-llm cancer-medicine-mscres public-health-mph education-computingit-digital-skills-creative-enterprise-pgce public-health-systems-policy-theory-into-practice-pgcert international-political-economy-msc sound-music-ma public-health-sciences-pgcert public-health-data-systems-research-pgcert substance-use-substance-use-disorders-msc substance-use-substance-use-disorders-pgcert substance-use-substance-use-disorders-pgdip english-creative-writing-ma data-analytics-msc english-creative-writing-pgdip advanced-healthcare-practice-msc law-technology-llm intellectual-property-law-llm palliative-care-pgdip irish-studies-ma digital-marketing-analytics-msc conflict-transformation-social-justice-ma global-security-borders-ma molecular-biology-biotechnology-msc ecological-management-conservation-biology-msc one-health-parasitology-infection-biology-msc supply-chain-analytics-msc accounting-finance-analytics-msc actuarial-science-msc advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-msc advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-pgcert advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-pgdip advanced-food-safety-msc advanced-healthcare-clinical-practice-msc advanced-pharmacy-practice-msc advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-msc advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-pgcert advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-pgdip ai-business-msc animal-behaviour-welfare-msc anthropology-ma anthropology-pgdip applied-behaviour-analysis-msc applied-cyber-security-msc applied-cyber-security-professional-internship-msc applied-developmental-psychology-msc applied-digital-construction-management-msc architecture-march artificial-intelligence-msc arts-humanities-mres arts-management-ma bioinformatics-computational-genomics-msc biomedical-clinical-research-msc biopharmaceutical-engineering-msc biopharmaceutical-engineering-pgcert biopharmaceutical-engineering-year-industry-msc building-information-modelling-project-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc building-information-modelling-project-management-industrial-internship-msc building-information-modelling-project-management-msc business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-msc business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-pgcert business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-pgdip business-analytics-msc caring-children-young-people-complex-needs-msc childrens-rights-msc childrens-rights-participation-pgcert city-planning-design-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc city-planning-design-msc city-planning-design-pgcert climate-change-msc climate-change-pgdip clinical-anatomy-msc clinical-education-pgcert clinical-health-psychology-msc clinical-health-psychology-pgdip cognitive-behavioural-practice-pgcert cognitive-behavioural-psychotherapy-pgdip construction-project-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc construction-project-management-industrial-internship-msc construction-project-management-msc creative-games-technologies-ma criminology-criminal-justice-llm digital-business-msc education-english-pgce education-mathematics-pgce education-modern-languages-pgce education-religious-education-pgce education-science-pgce education-social-science-pgce education-studies-med educational-leadership-msc engineering-management-pgcert english-literary-studies-ma english-literary-studies-pgdip english-poetry-ma english-poetry-pgdip environmental-engineering-msc environmental-engineering-pgdip film-ma finance-msc finance-trading-msc financial-analytics-msc financial-risk-management-msc geopolitics-ma geopolitics-pgdip history-ma human-resource-management-msc hydrogen-energy-systems-pgcert inclusion-special-educational-needs-med independent-prescribing-pgcert industrial-pharmaceutics-msc international-business-msc international-human-rights-law-llm international-public-policy-msc international-public-policy-pgdip international-relations-ma international-relations-pgdip interpreting-ma law-llm leadership-sustainable-development-msc leadership-sustainable-rural-development-msc linguistics-ma linguistics-pgcert linguistics-pgdip management-msc marketing-msc master-business-administration-internship-mba master-business-administration-mba mechanical-engineering-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc mechanical-engineering-management-industrial-internship-msc mechanical-engineering-management-msc mechanical-engineering-management-pgcert mechanical-engineering-management-pgdip mechanical-engineering-pgcert media-broadcast-production-ma media-broadcast-production-pgdip mental-health-mental-capacity-law-msc mental-health-mental-capacity-law-pgdip mental-health-pgdip midwifery-msc net-zero-engineering-distance-learning-msc net-zero-engineering-msc net-zero-engineering-year-industry-msc pharmaceutical-analysis-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc pharmaceutical-analysis-industrial-placement-msc pharmaceutical-analysis-international-industrial-placement-msc pharmaceutical-analysis-msc philosophy-ma philosophy-pgdip planning-development-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc planning-development-msc planning-development-pgcert politics-ma politics-pgdip prescribing-pharmacists-pgcert professional-nursing-adult-nursing-msc professional-nursing-children-young-people-msc professional-nursing-learning-disabilities-nursing-msc professional-nursing-mental-health-nursing-msc professional-practice-architecture-pgcert psychological-science-msc public-history-ma social-science-research-mres social-science-research-pgdip sociology-global-inequality-msc software-development-msc software-development-part-time-msc specialist-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-msc sustainable-energy-systems-management-msc sustainable-energy-systems-management-pgdip systemic-practice-family-therapy-msc systemic-practice-family-therapy-pgcert systemic-practice-family-therapy-pgdip systemic-psychotherapy-msc teaching-english-speakers-other-languages-applied-linguistics-msc translation-ma violence-terrorism-security-ma violence-terrorism-security-pgdip youth-justice-msc youth-justice-pgdip zero-carbon-engineering-pgcert Share Facebook Linkedin Email Undergraduate 2025 MSc | Postgraduate Taught Applied Cyber Security Apply now Register Interest Entry year Academic Year 2026/27 Entry requirements 2.1 Attendance 1 year (Full-time) 2 years (Part-time) Places available tbc (Full Time) tbc (Part Time) Overview Course content Modules Entry requirements Careers Fees and funding Apply The world’s online security depends on you. Step up to the plate with this fascinating Master’s course, taught by experts at one of the world’s leading cyber security hubs. ABOUT YOU You’ll be analytical, technical and a modern-day codebreaker. Cyber security is a challenge that will not go away, affecting companies, individuals and even governments. You could be: A recent graduate – possibly a maths or engineering graduate with good programming skills, or you might be a good developer but have little knowledge of cyber security.
Key Program Features
Applied Cyber Security highlights
Professional Accreditations
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/ncsc-certified-degrees
World Class Facilities
The syllabus, teaching materials and labs are informed by the world-class research being undertaken at the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen's University Belfast. In addition to GCHQ/NCSC Master’s certification, CSIT itself is also certified as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by GCHQ/NCSC.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/ecit/CSIT/
Career Opportunities
Career Prospects
Introduction
In keeping with the aims of GCHQ/NCSC certified Master’s courses, this programme is intended to provide: • a deeper understanding of cyber security concepts, principles, technologies and practices. • a bridge between undergraduate degrees and careers in cyber security. • a platform for further research at Doctoral level. • an effective way for people in mid-career to enhance their knowledge of the subject or to move into cyber security as a change of career path. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/
Program Curriculum
Course Structure
Modules will be delivered over one day each, with three modules covered per week throughout the semester. For example, Module 1 may be delivered on Monday, Module 2 on Wednesday, and Module 3 on Friday. (Please note: this is just an example—actual days to be confirmed and are subject to change.)
Course Details
The course, comprising seven taught modules and a research project, provides a broad foundation in cyber security. The MSc in Applied Cyber Security is available in a full-time or a part-time option. Full-time (1-year): Consists of seven taught modules (120 CATS points) and a 3-4 month practical project of a research nature (60 CATS). Students study seven taught modules (120 CATS). They will also commence an individual research project (60 CATS). Part-time (2+ years): Part-time students are normally enrolled for two years. The first year will normally compromise four taught modules (60 CATS). The individual Research Project focuses on applying taught skills to a leading-edge issue in cyber security research. A dissertation is required for the project. Following tutor approval, the project may be undertaken as a summer placement at a company. Modules are regularly updated to reflect new developments in the dynamic field of cyber security. Modules offered may be subject to change.
Full-Time/Part-Time
The MSc in Applied Cyber Security is available in a full-time or a part-time option: Full-time (1-year): Consists of six taught modules (120 CATS) and a 3-4 month practical project of a research nature/work placement (60 CATS). Students study all taught modules (120 CATS points) up to the end of the Semester 2 exam period. They will also commence an individual research project (60 CATS points) and continue this through to month 12. As an integral part of the ELE8095 Individual Research Project, students may undertake summer work placements/internships lasting 3-4 months with local, national and international employers, under the regular supervision of an academic staff member and a staff member of the host organisation. Part-time (2+ years): Part-time students are normally enrolled for two years. The first year will normally compromise the following modules: Fundamentals of Cyber Security, Network Security & Monitoring and Software Assurance. The second year normally comprises Computer Forensics, Pen-testing, Applied Cryptography, Data Privacy and the Law and an individual research project. The part-time MSc consists of Seven taught modules (120 CATS) which are delivered alongside full-time students over a two-year period (normally), and a practical research project (60 CATS) which may be on a work-based research project following tutor approval. Students normally take three taught modules (50 CATS points) during Year 1, and four taught modules (70 CATS points) during Year 2. During Year 2 students will undertake the individual research project (60 CATS points).
People teaching you Dr Niall McLaughlin Course Director EEECS Email: askeps@qub.ac.uk or pgt-admin-eeecs@qub.ac.uk
Learning and Teaching
The course mixes lectures with practical, hands-on learning sessions. You will learn in a sandbox environment where you can experiment and make mistakes, enabling you to put your new skills into practice in hands-on cyber challenges. You’ll meet our researchers and learn how they apply the cutting-edge research being developed here to cyber security technologies. For full time students, in person attendance is required. For part-time and Post Graduate Certificate students in person attendance is strongly encouraged. For all students, attendance in person will normally be required for assessments and practical lessons.
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 15,200/year (international)
Tuition Fees
| Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £7,700 |
| Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £7,700 |
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £10,400 |
| EU Other 3 | £27,600 |
| International | £27,600 |
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees .
Additional course costs
Students undertaking a 3 month summer placement or a one year professional internship are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. These costs vary significantly depending on the location and duration of the placement. Students may receive payment from their placement provider. Where students are undertaking a professional internship they are required to pay a placement charge to the University. When the placement charge for the academic year is published, it will be available on page 10 of the Tuition Fee Schedule at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Feesandfinance/FileStore/Filetoupload,1527396,en.pdf.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities
A range of funding options may be available to students enrolling at Queen's University Belfast. Explore all options early — many scholarships have deadlines months before programme start.
- University Scholarships: Queen's University Belfast may offer merit-based, need-based, or programme-specific scholarships for postgraduate students. Contact the international or financial aid office for current awards.
- Government Scholarships (): National governments often fund outbound and inbound student mobility. Check your home country's government scholarship schemes (e.g., national student loan bodies, ministry of education awards).
- International Scholarships: Major funders include: Commonwealth Scholarships, Fulbright (USA programmes), Chevening (UK), Erasmus+ (Europe), DAAD (Germany), Campus France, Australia Awards, and many more.
- Employer Sponsorship: Professionals returning to study may negotiate tuition sponsorship with their employer, particularly for MBA or executive programmes.
- Graduate Assistantships / Fellowships: Some universities offer funded research or teaching assistant positions that include a stipend and partial or full tuition waiver.
- External Foundations: Rotary Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation, Ford Foundation, and many discipline-specific bodies fund postgraduate study globally.
- Payment Plans: Flexible instalment plans may allow you to spread tuition payments across the academic year.
About Queen's University Belfast
Queen's University Belfast
Botswana, Botswana
Visit the university profile page to learn more about this institution.
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-06-17
- Start Date 2018-09-26
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)