Cyber Security Management

Course overview

Study in-person at Aston University London in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Developed to deliver interdisciplinary learning and flexibility, this course enables you to tailor your studies to suit your own requirements and interests.

Effective risk management is crucial for organisational data security, business continuity, regulatory compliance, reputation protection and financial stability amidst evolving threats. This programme will develop the skills needed to address these challenges, fostering strategic thinking and practical insights.

You will emerge adept at leading proactive risk mitigation, adapting to emerging threats and implementing robust security measures. In an increasingly digital world, our programme will empower you to safeguard organisational interests holistically. Combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications, you will gain a deep understanding of cyber threats and strategies for protection.

On this programme you will learn to collaborate and flourish through project-based learning with students in other digital technology subject areas. This approach of learning mimics the real-life working world, where your career prospects will be enriched by working alongside people with different skill sets, viewpoints, and approaches.

The location of your learning offers unparalleled opportunities for networking and industry connections, thanks to its prime position in the heart of the capital.

Anitha Chinnaswamy programme director MSc Cyber Security Management

“In a world where cyber threats constantly evolve, traditional solutions are no longer sufficient. Our programme goes beyond the technical realm, addressing the organisational, legal, regulatory and compliance dimensions of cyber security.”

Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy

MSc Cyber Security Management (Birmingham)

Programme Director

Why Cyber Security Management at Aston University London?

87th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 87th in the world and 11th in the UK for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2025)

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

In-demand graduates

There is a high demand among employers for graduates of this course, who are equipped with the skills that global employers seek

Joint 11th in the UK

Aston Business School is ranked joint 11th in the UK (Eduniversal Business School Rankings 2024)

One of the world's great cities

Vibrant, multicultural, welcoming. Spend your student years in one the world’s most cosmopolitan and fashionable cities, where the word ‘boredom’ doesn’t exist

Top 100 in Europe

We've been ranked 17th in the UK and 97th in Europe (Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking 2024)

Course description

MSc Cyber Security Management (London)

Our MSc Cyber Security Management programme equips strategic leaders with the skills to effectively navigate complex cybersecurity challenges in an increasingly digital world. By being based in London you will be part of a vibrant cosmopolitan city and community, renowned for its diverse skills, cultures, beliefs, and wealth of knowledge.

What we will provide
First-class teaching, in the UK's capital city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. You will benefit from applied learning, research-informed teaching and constructive assessment.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

Aston University London is a gateway to a multitude of industry connections and networking opportunities, set against the backdrop of a city known for its international diversity and cultural richness.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a willingness to learn and an ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
Our MSc Cyber Security Management programme develops digital forensic investigation, digital analysis and artificial intelligence skills, along with expertise in risk management and governance. You will excel in providing crucial information to business leaders, enhancing commercial decision-making and improving overall business performance in an increasingly digital landscape.

Career prospects
Cyber Security Management graduates are highly sought-after, given the significant skills gap in the field. They find diverse career opportunities as fraud analysts, security engineers, technology consultants and more. Accreditation by ISACA and the UK Cyber Security Council offers further certification options, giving you a competitive edge and enhancing career advancement prospects.

By studying in London you will have prime location to open up numerous employment and career opportunities, thanks to the city's extensive industry connections and vibrant professional network.

How you will learn

At Aston University London, every programme on your chosen pathway will begin with a common landing module to introduce key fundamental concepts required by the rest of the pathway and to introduce you to the learning and teaching style of our innovative London courses.

You will be taught by a combination of academic and industry experts, and supported by our success coaches who will be with you every step of your journey to ensure you have the best possible chance of success in your degree. Our block teaching model means you will be able to plan your time around two days on campus each week, with the opportunity to spend more flexible time working on your individual and group projects. You will study at most two modules at a time, allowing you to focus in-depth on your chosen specialism and continually work on projects.

Group of people in business dress collaborating on project

Interdisciplinary Collaborative Project

Get ready to immerse yourself in a dynamic environment where you’ll build meaningful connections and make a real impact.

Find out more

What you will learn

Our MSc Cyber Security Management programme offers in-depth knowledge for safeguarding digital assets and mitigating cyber threats. It covers cyber risk management, governance frameworks and strategic planning to protect sensitive information and systems. You will gain insights into contemporary challenges and evolving technologies in the cybersecurity landscape.

In the taught stage, you will develop skills in threat analysis, incident response and security architecture design. Through practical exercises and case studies, you will learn vulnerability assessment, implementation of security measures and risk mitigation strategies. This phase includes exploring legal and ethical considerations in cybersecurity, preparing you to navigate complex regulatory environments and make informed decisions.

In the dissertation phase, you will complete a research project on a cyber security management topic of your choice, showcasing your ability to conduct independent research with a clear consideration of ethics, theory and methods.

You will also benefit greatly from the location of your studies, with around one-third of all international students in the UK residing in London, Aston University London provides a dynamic, multicultural learning environment that enhances both personal and professional growth.

Course objectives

Meets the needs of local, national and international candidates, enabling them to learn by the exchange of experience as well as formal academic study.
Develops the lifelong learning and personal development skills that equip you to aspire to senior positions and enhance your employability.
Enables you to reflect upon and develop your own position in relation to corporate responsibility, sustainability and ethics.
Develops awareness of the skills needed to work effectively in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary teams.
Enables you to formulate, evaluate and select from specialist skills and knowledge in cyber security management and make associated strategic decisions in a cyber strategy context.
Enables you to critically examine theory including tools and models used in cyber security management in different business contexts.
Enables you to critically examine the role and contribution of cyber security objectives to the achievement of organisational aims and objectives.
Develops analytical skills essential for the analysis and presentation of cyber governance and compliance to enhance and support the decision making process.
Develops inquiry, applied research and problem-solving skills to enable lifelong learning and professional development.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Module Title	Credits
Innovation in the UK and Global Business Environment	15
Strategic Digital Forensic Management	15
Management of Cryptosystems	15
Cyber Security Risk Management and Governance	15
Managing Offensive Cyber Security Operations	15
AI: Vision and Reality	15
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Project	30
Total	120

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Module Title	Credits
Industry Research with an Entrepreneurial Mindset	15
Independent Industry Project	45
Total	60

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Programme outcomes

On successful completion of both the taught and dissertation stage, you will be able to:

Promote social responsibility, sustainability, accountability and ethical practice in business practice.
Critically evaluate a range of complex situations, which may include finance, accounting, organisational behaviour, strategy, IT security, analytics, artificial intelligence, taking account of the inter-relationships of these topics and their interactions with other areas of business, industry and the external environment.
Demonstrate a range of transferable skills that are necessary for a successful career in business and enhance their employability. These may include: IT and computing skills, presentation and report writing skills, communication and teamworking (collaboration) skills, self-confidence, reflective practice, problem solving, leadership, decision making skills and ability to assimilate into multicultural and cross-cultural work teams.
Demonstrate the ability to undertake independent research with an applied business focus.
Demonstrate knowledge of the changing global business landscape and developments and innovations in business practice.
Develop an in-depth appreciation of relevant knowledge about organisations, their external context and how they are managed.
Demonstrate knowledge of the changing cyber threat landscape and the developments in cyberspace.
Integrate IT risk management and techniques to mitigate threat to an organisation and its decision-making processes.
Identify vulnerabilities and threats within a current cyberspace context and develop and apply suitable strategies for defence against their exploitation.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

One of the following:

2:2 (lower second-class honours) degree or equivalent
Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University (see international students tab below for more information)

You will also need to provide:

A professional reference
- If you are a current student or recent graduate (within the last 2-3 years), we will ask for an academic reference
- If you are currently employed and not a recent graduate, we will ask for a professional reference
An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
A completed application form.

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Our requirements are:

IELTS 6.5 overall, 3 bands with 6.0, and no more than one band with 5.5 or equivalent

How to apply

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications.

Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our team:

Email: contact@london.aston.ac.uk

Call: +44 (0)20 4536 4601

Read our guide to applying

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£12,000

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£23,500

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Fees and funding

Scholarships

At Aston University London we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

To find out if you are eligible for scholarships and discounts, please contact us now.

Assessment

The programme will be assessed through a combination of class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments. Our programmes at Aston University London have no exam assessments.

Career prospects

Being in London will open you to more opportunities for employment and future careers due to its extensive industry connections and vibrant professional network.

The transferable skills that our Cyber Security Management programme provides mean that our graduates are well equipped to find employment in a wide range of roles such as:

Cyber security consultant
Information security analyst
Cybersecurity manager
Security architect
Compliance officer

These roles span industries such as finance, healthcare and technology, offering graduates diverse opportunities for career advancement and specialisation. With accreditation from ISACA and the UK Cyber Security Council, along with options for ISACA certifications, graduates are equipped to address evolving cyber threats and safeguard digital assets effectively.

Our graduates achieve amazing things all over the world – whether it’s setting up their own businesses, landing jobs with high profile organisations, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates