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University of Bristol: Cyber Security (Software Security)
| Institution | University of Bristol View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Web | https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate |
| Study type | Taught |
Summary
New approaches to building software, such as continuous delivery and deployment, cloud reliance for scalability, and Open Source, have led to an unprecedented speed of technological innovations. Modern software is also at the centre of our large-scale, complex and intermeshed systems that now pervade society – from energy production to finance through to healthcare and smart transportation. This new software ecosystem has also given rise to new forms of security threats, malware and system vulnerabilities. There is also now a heightened need from end-users, regulators and other stakeholders for accountability, privacy, and demonstrable and effective data protection measures from developers. The consequence is an increased worldwide demand for software security experts who are able to understand the security challenges that modern software brings and offer strong solutions to mitigate harm to valuable software-enabled infrastructures. There is a major shortage of software security experts with the skills required to protect software-intensive businesses from disruption that can have large-scale impacts on society and massive business losses.
A strong ethos of rigorous experimental and empirical cybersecurity and privacy research underpins the MSc, facilitated by a state-of-the-art testbed for studying threats and vulnerabilities related to data flows in the software and its dependencies (supply chain), critical national infrastructure (CNI) and Internet of Things (IoT). Leveraging our bespoke teaching equipment, you'll learn to apply foundational software techniques necessary to protect often interdependent software systems and will develop the skills for engineering scalable solutions. You'll be exposed to real-world problems that are practical and challenge-oriented but underpinned by rigorous research.
This MSc aims to:
Enable a deep understanding of fundamental concepts, design principles, building blocks and methods to understand and mitigate against cyber threats that impact critical and complex software systems; Give you hands-on experience in articulating software security issues by working with devices, systems and networks utilised in realistic environments such as state-of-the-art testbeds for inter-meshed systems, CNI and IoT; Equip you with the ability to apply these security principles in analysing cybersecurity problems and challenges from a variety of vantage points: networks, systems, human factors and risk, control systems and Internet of Things devices, reason about the security and privacy properties of underlying software and implications in large-scale and inter-meshed settings. Enable you to apply secure software engineering principles and lifecycle to design and implement software solutions that proactively and reactively address security and privacy issues by default. Provide you with the skills to reason critically about complex problems that require evaluation and analysis from a multi-dimensional perspective including technical, human and organisational aspects. We also offer a related programme in Cyber Security (Infrastructures Security): https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/msc-cyber-security-infrastructures-security/
MSc
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic engineering, Cyber Security, Information Security or Software Engineering. Other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants from other related subjects are required to have studied modules relevant to the programme at minimum of 60%, or international equivalent: Relevant Modules: Algorithms Ansible We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: evidence of significant, relevant work experience with a minimum of two years (full or part-time) experience within a computer science or electronic/electrical engineering role or as a software developer. Examples include software testers (especially penetration testing), technical role in cybersecurity, system engineer, security officer, data protection officer, information officer, product manager; See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website. |
| Location | Clifton Campus Beacon House Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| England | 18400 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 18400 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 18400 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 18400 GBP for Year 1 |
| EU | 35500 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 35500 GBP for Year 1 |
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic engineering, Cyber Security, Information Security or Software Engineering. Other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants from other related subjects are required to have studied modules relevant to the programme at minimum of 60%, or international equivalent: Relevant Modules: Algorithms Ansible We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: evidence of significant, relevant work experience with a minimum of two years (full or part-time) experience within a computer science or electronic/electrical engineering role or as a software developer. Examples include software testers (especially penetration testing), technical role in cybersecurity, system engineer, security officer, data protection officer, information officer, product manager; See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website. |
| Location | Clifton Campus Beacon House Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| England | 9200 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 9200 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 9200 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 9200 GBP for Year 1 |
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic engineering, Cyber Security, Information Security or Software Engineering. Other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants from other related subjects are required to have studied modules relevant to the programme at minimum of 60%, or international equivalent: Relevant Modules: Algorithms Ansible We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: evidence of significant, relevant work experience with a minimum of two years (full or part-time) experience within a computer science or electronic/electrical engineering role or as a software developer. Examples include software testers (especially penetration testing), technical role in cybersecurity, system engineer, security officer, data protection officer, information officer, product manager; See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website. |
| Location | Clifton Campus Beacon House Bristol BS8 1QU |
Fees
| England | 6133 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 6133 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 6133 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 6133 GBP for Year 1 |
Discover the University of Bristol
Founded in 1876, the University of Bristol is one of the UK’s top 10 universities (QS World University Rankings 2026), with a global reputation for world-leading research and academic excellence. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities, Bristol also ranks top five in the UK for research (THE analysis of REF 2021).
With its independent and pioneering spirit, the University has a reputation for doing things differently. Bristol was the UK’s first institute of higher education to admit women on an equal basis with men. In 2019, …
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