


Defend organisations in an age of persistent threats
Online only

Cyber attacks cost the global economy trillions annually. This MSc develops practitioners who can protect networks, respond to breaches, and embed security culture across organisations. You will study penetration testing methodology, digital forensics, secure software development, and security governance frameworks including ISO 27001 and NIST CSF. Labs run in isolated virtual environments with realistic attack scenarios. MSc Cybersecurity is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 24 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from Network Security & Protocols through Network Security & Protocols; Cryptography & PKI; Operating System & Application Security; Security Governance & Risk Management; Penetration Testing Methodology; Digital Forensics & Incident Response, and finish on MSc Cybersecurity Capstone. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students map one named system, write a threat model, and specify the controls that would stop the most likely path. Reading is control catalogues, incident write-ups, and a short technical standard. The artefact a marker expects is a defensive design with a test plan and a statement of residual risk. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests ethically and legally Lead incident response from detection through recovery and post-mortem Design zero-trust architectures for cloud and hybrid environments Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Labs run in isolated virtual environments — legal and ethical scope is taught before any offensive technique. You will complete a full breach-response capstone from detection through board reporting. Content aligns with CompTIA Security+ and CEH knowledge domains.
Faculty spotlight
Professor Marcus Chen, ex-CISO in financial services, leads Security Governance; Dr. Yuki Tanaka runs red-team/blue-team intensives.
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 24 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Pulse College publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@acapulse.com.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study. Dublin studio tuition and studio examinations are charged separately.
Accreditation & recognition