Cyber Security (Graduate Apprenticeship) MSc



Develop your networking and cybersecurity skills through your job role with a fully-funded, work based Masters Degree

Overview

With a Graduate Apprenticeship you can earn while you learn. You develop vital industry skills in a paid job whilst studying for a university degree up to Masters level. There is no maximum age limit and no course fees to pay for apprentices or employers.

This MSc Cyber Security Graduate Apprenticeship focuses on the fast-developing areas of networking and cybersecurity. The work-based learning modules award significant credit for the application of course-derived knowledge to your employer’s systems or procedures.

The course blends hands-on technical knowledge with theoretical understanding, utilising a range of remotely-accessible resources to allow access to specialised computer configurations.

Additionally, you study modules designed to enhance your current skills using flexible learning material and practical activities which can be completed online or remotely. Finally, a dissertation project is undertaken which further strengthens your cybersecurity skillset.

Craig Potter graduates from the first intake of Graduate Apprentices at Edinburgh Napier University.

Mode of Study:

Full-time Blended Learning

Duration:

18 months

Course details

You will spend 20% of your working time studying at university, and the remaining 80% applying your learning and developing your skills in the workplace.

The MSc Cyber Security Graduate Apprenticeship focuses on extending your knowledge as a working professional into leading-edge issues related to network and computer security technologies and processes, both generally and with a particular focus on the growing threats from cybercrime.

Remote systems allow you to engage with the practical activities of the course from home or work. We also have well-equipped labs, which you can use if you wish to attend the campus.

Some credits are derived from your employment activities, so you must be already employed in a company which allows you to demonstrate your developing course knowledge.

Please discuss your current employment with the course leader before applying to ensure your role is suitable for the course. Your final dissertation project will allow you to use the tools and approaches you’ve developed on the course.

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    How you’ll be taught

    This course is designed for professionals already employed in the area of computing who wish to develop their skills in cybersecurity and networking.

    This course is delivered over 18 months via blended and distance learning. In the first year, you study one module per trimester alongside a yearlong Advanced Professional Practice project, spending one day per month on campus. In the second year, you complete a work-based MSc Dissertation in 6 months over two trimesters.
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    Assessments

     The taught modules will be assessed by exams and coursework. The project modules will be assessed by oral viva and document submission.
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    Work placement

     You complete this programme through your current employment. You must already be employed in a relevant industry area to apply.
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    Facilities

     The course is combination of academic theory along with remarkable and extensive hands-on practical activities, supported by online materials in addition to our virtualised lab environment representing our on-campus substantial facilities.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Cyber Security?

In order to apply, you must be resident in Scotland before you start your Graduate Apprenticeship. The premises you work in must also be located in Scotland. As part of your application, you'll have to show that you have the right to live and work in Scotland.

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in a Computing discipline such as Computing; Computer Science; Computer Networking; Software Engineering or Cyber Security. Other IT disciplines may be considered, provided a minimum of 50% of the modules undertaken in the last two years of study were Computing related. 

We may also consider lesser qualifications, or even none at all, if applicants have sufficient relevant work experience from industry .

Please note that to be considered for this programme, the candidate must already be employed in an area relating to the aforementioned disciplines AND have the support of the employer as significant credits in the course are based on employment-based activities.

Candidates must be resident in Scotland throughout the Graduate Apprenticeship. In addition to this, their employer’s working premises must also be located in Scotland. When applying to become a Graduate Apprentice the individual must have the right to live and work in the UK.

Can I get admission into Cyber Security based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & Funding

Graduate Apprenticeships are fully funded through Scottish Funding Council and Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), and supported by Skills Development Scotland. Once you have been offered a Graduate Apprenticeship place, you should apply to SAAS for funding, who will pay your tuition fees directly to the university. There are no associated learning costs to the Graduate Apprenticeship employer.

All Graduate Apprenticeship applicants must meet SAAS eligibility and residence conditions to apply. Visit the SAAS website for more information.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students From 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £6,930 tba
Overseas and EU £17,090 tba
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

On completion apprentices can build their career in jobs such as:

  • Security Consultant
  • Forensic Investigator
  • Audit/Compliance Consultant
  • Security Adviser/Auditor
  • Cybercrime Consultant
Students working at JKCC lab