Masters of Science in Cyber Security ranks among one of the most popular postgraduate courses offered in India and Abroad. With the global digitalization happening all around there has been an increase in cyber crime thus making Cyber Security a very important career prospect. MS in Cyber Security is a one-year postgraduate program designed specifically to prepare individuals in science and technological fields. The course prepares you to handle cyber crime in a calculated and decisive way.
The eight cyber security specializations are:
- Architecture and Policy
- Data Loss and Prevention
- Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Identity and Access Management
- Incident Response and Forensic Analysis
- Penetration Testing
- Secure DevOps
- Secure Software Development
Why study MS in Cyber Security in UK?
The UK falls under one of the most exclusive study destinations for learning cyber security. Pursuing an MS in Cyber Security from the UK is highly beneficial for international students as universities in the UK are well-known globally for their quality of education. With renowned institutions such as the University of Oxford, Swansea University Queen’s University of Belfast and many more, the UK ranks among one of the most sought-after countries for the course..
MS in Cyber Security programs in the UK stick to the strict accreditation standards set by prestigious organizations such as the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the European Quality Improvement System. These organizations indicate the commitment to excel in the course and provide the quality and standard of education promised by the institutions. experience.
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MS in Cyber Security in the UK for Indian students
The UK is a center of attraction for Indian students who want to pursue a postgraduate career in cybersecurity. It offers a high-quality education system with the best returns on investments. Universities in the UK provide great exposure to its students in comparison with India. With its global connections, the UK offers its students excellent internships and career options during and after their educational period. One of the best perks of pursuing a postgraduate degree in the UK is its various subject options availability. Not only does it provide the overall Cyber Security degree but offers a variety of other subjects to choose from thus diversifying the course.UK is also a pool for many other international students thus providing an opportunity to communicate and expand networks.
Best MS in Cyber Security colleges in the UK for Indian students
| Ranking 2023 | Top University | Course & Duration | Fees (EUR/year) |
| #4 | University College London | MSc Information Security (1year) | 31,250 |
| #12 | University of Birmingham | MSc Cyber Security (1year) | 25,400 |
| #15 | University of Southampton | MSc Cyber Security (1year) | 26,855 |
| #16 | University of York | MSc Cyber Security ( 1 year) | 23,305 |
| #17 | Lancaster University | MSc Cyber Security (1year) | 24,420 |
| #28 | Queen’s University of Belfast | MSc.Applied Security (1year) | 21,450 |
| #35 | Swansea University | MSc Cyber Security (1year) | 1900 |
| #38 | Royal Holloway University | MSc Information Security (1year) | 25,650 |
| #38 | Anglia Ruskin University | MSc Cyber Security(1year) | 14,150 |
| #43 | Northumbria University | MS.c Cyber Security and technology | 15,550 |
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How to apply for MS in Cyber Security in the UK
You must have heard that applying to Universities abroad is hectic work but that’s not entirely true, especially for a student-friendly country like the UK. It welcomes a huge number of international students every year with the help of its easy-to-follow procedure. However to successfully apply for your application, follow the following steps:
1. Shortlist the colleges you want to apply to
The first and very important step is to shortlist the colleges you want to apply to. For MS in Cyber Security, the UK has vast options of top-grade colleges available along with a diverse array of subject choices. For an MS in Cyber Security, one can choose from many options such as Forensics, information security, network security etc. Therefore choosing a specialization that best suits your career goals before shortlisting your dream college is very important.
2. Enrolment criteria
Different colleges have different criteria based on the specialization but every university has common prerequisites such as application forms, visa eligibility, etc. For MS in Cyber Security, a degree in computer science or related engineering is a mandatory criterion. The minimum grade requirement differs with universities. Also to study MS in Cyber Security international students must have a minimum of 6.5 score in the IELTS exam.
3. Assemble the necessary paperwork
This is the most important part for students who are applying abroad. It is necessary to ensure that all the documents are up-to-date and precise. The document requirements differ with every university but some of the common documents required are:
- A passport
- Certificate of graduation
- English proficiency test scores (IELTS)
- Academic transcripts
- ATAS certificate
- Letter of recommendations
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies(CAS)
- Tuberculosis test results
- Financial documents
- Personal statement
Presenting these documents is a very critical step as these reflect the candidates in front of the authorities responsible for admissions as well as visas. You may need to submit more documents depending on the university you are applying to.
4. File for student visa
Once you receive the admission offer letter from the university and the university confirms your admission, you have to immediately apply for a student visa. It is a tough process and usually takes a lot of time. For studying in the UK you will have to apply for the tier 4 student visa or a HPI visa. You have to submit various documents but most importantly you have to submit a financial document that proves you have enough money to pay for the course and support yourself in the UK. The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.
5. Plan accommodation
After the application process and visa filing is done the next step is to figure out the accommodation facilities. Many colleges and universities provide hostels and dormitories for students with some extra paperwork and fees. There are other types of accommodation facilities available such as:
- Hall of residence -Owned and managed by the Universities, usually allocated to first-year applicants.
- Private halls of residence -Similar to halls of residence except with modern facilities and expensive.
- Homestay accommodation – In this accommodation facility the international students stay with a host family in the UK in their home. They provide the student with a private room and common kitchen and living room area.
You can also choose to live in a private flat or studio depending on your financial status. Moreover, you can always contact the student’s group or your mentor at the college to know more about accommodation.
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Admission Requirements
International students do not require GRE to study in universities in the UK. They can apply for Master’s in cyber security by only providing their bachelor’s and IELTS or TOEFL score. Here is a list of few colleges along with their admission requirements.
| College | Academic Requirements |
| University College London | UG with CGPA 7.75-8 OR 60% |
| University of Birmingham | First class UG degree (4 years) |
| University of Southampton | UG in Computer Science with 65% |
| University of York | UG degree with 65% |
| Lancaster University | UG with minimum 65% with 55% for two years in a row. |
| Royal Holloway | UG degree with minimum 60% and 6.0 CGPA minimum |
Cost of Studying MS in Cyber Security in the UK
Universities offering the course are quite costly. Therefore many international students seek financial assistance to aid them. There are many Scholarships provided by the UK government and the universities that you can apply to gain financial assistance.
MS in cyber security in the UK with scholarship
Scholarships provide great relief to Indian students studying abroad. In India, the majority of the population belongs to the middle class, so scholarships lift a burden from the shoulders of those Indian students studying in the UK. Apart from financial benefits it also gives them academic recognition and helps them in building a flourishing pathway.
The scholarships provided by the UK universities for Indian students are:
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- Scholarship for students from commonwealth countries
- Only for students pursuing a Master’s or a Ph.d
- Covers tuition fees, airfare and other maintenance expenses.
2. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT)
- Supports one-year postgraduate programs in any subject
- Available at all universities
- Amount varies on the opted course
3. Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship
- For students who pursue doctoral studies in specific fields like science and technology and Economics.
- Available at St. John’s College and the University of Cambridge.
- Aerospace engineering and Energy aspirants are highly preferred.
4. Felix Scholarship
- A maximum of six scholarships is provided under this program
- Available at the University of Reading School of Oriental and the University of Oxford.
- Provided to students of less than 30 years of age.
5. Chevening Scholarship
- Fully funded scholarship including airfare, living expenses and tuition fees.
- Valid for 12 months (can be extended depending on the course duration)
- Covers cyber security courses and other Master’s degree courses.
Apart from the tuition fees, there are other expenses that needs to be considered including accommodation, transportation and food.
Average Monthly expense for international students
| Factors | Average Monthly Cost of Living |
| Accommodation | €550-750 ₹58,190-79,350 |
| Food and Grocery | €150-200 ₹15,870-₹21,160 |
| Entertainment | €50-60 ₹5290-₹6348 |
| Transportation | €40-50 ₹4232-₹5290 |
| Miscellaneous | €220 ₹2116 |
| Household bills | €50-60 ₹5290-₹6348 |
Eligibility Criteria for applying for scholarships in the UK for Indian students
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen
- The applicant must have a good academic background. UK
- Should need the scholarship and not be able to afford to study in the UK.
Job opportunities available after a Master’s in Cyber Security in the UK:
UK employed within 3 months of completing an MSc in cyber security in the UK. An excellent salary is provided in the UK due to the high demand for cybersecurity experts with technical skills and problem-solving mindsets. Graduates of MS in Cyber Security in the UK land jobs in companies like BBC, Sapphire, and Akamai etc with a whopping package of 32 lakhs INR. Let us have a look at few job roles along with average annual salary:
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary |
| Cyber Security specialist | €50,000-80,000 |
| Cybercrime Analyst | €30,0000-€35,000 |
| Cyber Security Analyst | €36,000–36,000 |
| Cyber Security consultant | €55,000-85,000 |
| Cybersecurity manager | €70,000 |
| IT Auditor | €54,000 |
Conclusion
The UK with it’s best universities and standard of education is a highly chosen Study destination for international students, with the help of this blog I think we know why.UK also offers various employment opportunities with high packages thus contributing to the list of factors as to why you should pursue MS in Cyber Security in the UK. If this article helped you in any way, contact our student friendly team at Admissify to make your journey to the UK easier.
FAQ
How long is MS in Cyber Security in the UK?
Masters in Cyber Security in the UK is a 1 year course.
Is the UK good for MS in Cyber Security?
Yes, the UK with it’s top universities and various opportunities is one of the highly chosen study destinations by students for Master’s in Cyber Security.
Is the UK safe for international students?
The UK welcomed around 2,50,000 international students in the 2023,so yes UK is safe for international students.
Can I work in India after doing a Masters in Cyber Security from UK?
Yes you can work in India after pursuing your MS degree from the UK. High tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Intel etc employs professionals with foreign degree and offers them high package.
What are the best universities for MS in CS from UK?
University College London, Lancaster University and University of Birmingham among others are considered as best universities for Master’s in Cyber in UK.
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
