MSc in Cybersecurity

Course Instance ID:	1054434005
Description:	MSc in Cybersecurity
Duration:	2 years
NFQ Level:	Level 9
Brochure:	Download MSc in Cybersecurity brochure

Cybersecurity is an essential need for a modern society in which information technology and services pervade every aspect of our lives. Cybersecurity has the fastest growth rate among all areas of IT, with the labour market encountering a severe workforce shortage in this field.

The aim of this programme is to provide learners with essential expert technical knowledge, competence and skills of the most important technical concepts of cybersecurity and how they are applied in areas such as device, network, cloud, web and application security.

This programme is part-funded by ICT Skillnet, visit the last tab below for further information on the discount available for member companies. Applications under this funding should be made on the ICT Skillnet website.

This programme is run through NCI and funded by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet.

Course details

About this Course

The course is technical and practical in nature, uniquely embedded in industry, and develops in-depth expertise of core technical topics within the cybersecurity area. The programme emphasises the development of technical and research skills in the cybersecurity area through analysis, investigation, requirements elicitation, problem solving, and teamwork. In addition, emphasis is placed on the study of the latest appropriate technology and techniques necessary for the cultivation of advanced investigative skills.

Upcoming Events

Chat to our lecturers and Admissions Team at one of our many upcoming events about the range of Business, Computing, Psychology and Education courses starting at National College of Ireland in September and we'll help find the right option for you.

Thursday 16th May, 5-7pm, Online
Wednesday 12th June, 5-7pm, On-Campus
Thursday 18th July, 5-7pm, Online
Saturday 24th August, 11am-1pm, On-Campus
Wednesday 4th September, 5-7pm, On-Campus

Who is the course for?

This course is ideal for ICT professionals or graduates with an honours degree in computing or in a cognate area (STEM) who wish to develop a career as a cybersecurity professional; to take a leading technical or managerial role; to progress faster in their employment or to apply the knowledge in their current role. Candidates who do not hold a computing degree and are currently working in the IT sector may be considered, based on relevant academic qualifications or extensive work experience.

As a graduate of this course, you will be able to:

Critically assess and evaluate ethical, legal, privacy, sustainable, and governance issues associated with the management of data assets in the cybersecurity domain.
Communicate effectively complex and advanced cybersecurity concepts to a range of audiences in both written and verbal media.
Apply advanced security knowledge and utilise practical skills and technologies to design and implement cybersecurity solutions that address business and technical problems.
Make decisions and address security requirements through analytical thinking, communication, and interaction.
Analyse, identify, and document measures to address vulnerabilities, risks, weaknesses, and other safety aspects within a given cybersecurity context.
Identify knowledge gaps and undertake self-learning to acquire new knowledge and meet the requirements of the rapidly developing and expanding cybersecurity industry.
Conduct independent research in the cybersecurity area and formulate and implement novel ideas by applying the latest research methodologies and industry practices.

Career Prospects

Several reports indicate shortage of skills and strong demand for cybersecurity professionals. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs identified cybersecurity as a high-growth area that requires significant support for skills development. The State of the Cybersecurity Sector in Ireland 2022 Report indicates that there are almost 500 companies offering cybersecurity services or have employees in internal cybersecurity roles, and 83% of companies expect to grow their cybersecurity team over the next 12 months. This field has the fastest growth rate; following roles: information security analyst, secure application developer, cybersecurity tester, risk analyst/consultant, cyber incident responder, cloud security analyst, security researcher, etc.

Course Content

Core Modules:

Network Security and Penetration Testing
Security Fundamentals
Data Governance, Ethics and Sustainability
Cloud Architectures and Security
Cryptography and Blockchain
AI/ML in Cybersecurity
Business Resilience and Incident Management

Elective Modules

Secure Web Development
Forensics and eDiscovery
Secure Application Development
Malware Analysis

Note that there are dependencies between secure development electives. To study Secure Application Development in semester 2, students must have studied Secure Web Development in semester 1. However, all students can elect to study Malware Analysis in semester 2.

Research Elective

Practicum OR
Internship

Elective modules are subject to availability and a minimum number of students required to run a module.

Assessment

The course will be assessed with a blend of continuous assessments and/or project work and/ or exams. This varies between modules but typically assessment is 40% continuous assessment and 60% project or exam.

For more information on the modules taught on this course view our module descriptors.

Award and Progression

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is awarded by QQI at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Students who successfully complete this course may progress to a major award at level 10 on the NFQ. Students may also elect to exit early with a Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Cybersecurity at level 9.

Entry Requirements

An honours (level 8) primary degree in computing or a cognate area with a 2.2 award or higher. Cognate area means a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree that also has taught programming/application development related modules. Candidates are expected to have programming ability, which can be demonstrated through transcripts, recognised certifications, and/ or relevant work experience. An assessment and/or interview may be conducted to ascertain suitability, if necessary, for candidates who do not meet the normal academic requirements.

The College operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme meaning applicants who do not meet the normal academic requirements may be considered based on relevant work and other experience. This may be assessed using a portfolio of learning, demonstration of work produced, and an interview. The programming ability of the applicant will also be assessed.

Non-English speaking applicants must demonstrate fluency in the English language as demonstrated by an IELTS academic score of at least 6.0 or equivalent. Visit our English Language Requirements page for further information.

Laptop Requirements

This programme has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a portable computer (laptop/notebook) with a substantial hardware configuration. The minimal suitable configuration is 8GB of RAM (16GB are recommended); a modern 64-bit x86 multi-core processor (Intel i5 or superior); 250+ GB of available space in hard disk; WiFi card; and a recent version of Ubuntu, macOS, or Windows.

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure their computer is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights. NCI IT cannot provide support for these personal devices.

A Laptop Loan Scheme is available for eligible students to assist them in completing their chosen course.

Indicative Schedule

Two evenings per week 18.00 - 22.00 and every second Saturdays.

Please note that in some instances exams may take place in the daytime, evening, and/or at weekends.

Course Delivery

Blended - Livestream with some on-campus stream classes, scheduled in advance.

See the MSc in Cybersecurity course brochure for an explanation of the learning methods.

Duration

This course runs over 2 years; 4 semesters with a final internship/practicum.

Course Fee

ICT Skillnet Members Fee

Course fee per annum: €3,875

Skillnet grant per annum: €925

Student fee: €2,950*

*Part-funded fees are only available to eligible applicants.

(Fees revised annually)

Non-ICT Skillnet Members Fee

€4,700 per annum (€9,400 total fee).

(Fees revised annually)

You can spread the cost of this course with a direct debit plan.

Scholarships and Discounts

We offer a range of scholarship opportunities and discount offers available to both NCI and non-NCI graduates that will help you access this course.

ICT Skillnet

This programme starting in January 2024 is part-funded by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet.

Part-funded fees are only available for eligible candidates working in private or commercial semi-state organisations in the Republic of Ireland. If you are interested in applying, please submit your CV on the ICT Skillnet website.

The deadline to apply for this course is 30th November 2023.

Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland and network companies. Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.