MSci Computer Science (Cyber Security)
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
MSci in Computer Science and Software Engineering, with a focus on information security. Core topics include Programming, Computer Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Project Management. The programme includes an Information Security MSci Project and offers an optional Year in Industry. The course holds full NCSC certification.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA-AAB (Required subjects: Computer Science or Mathematics or Physics. GCSE Mathematics at grade 6 (B) GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C) For students taking BTEC Extended Diploma please click here to see the specific modules you must take in order to meet the entry requirements for this course.) IB: 6,6,6 at Higher level or 36 points overall. Including either Physics, Computer Science or 6 HL Maths: Analysis & Approaches/7 HL Maths: Applications & Interpretation/7 SL Maths: Analysis & Approaches
What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 70%
- Assessment and feedback: 64%
- Academic support: 80%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 78%
- Student voice: 63%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Unemployed: 30%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 45%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 46%
- South East: 29%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 60%
- Other HE qualification: 40%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
- Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the award of Euro-Inf Bachelor Quality Label on behalf of EQANIE (European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education e.V.) as satisfying the outcomes of First Cycle Programmes specified by the Euro-Inf Framework Standards and Accreditation Criteria for Informatics Degree Programmes.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Object Oriented Programming I
- Object Oriented Programming II
- Programming laboratory
- Internet Services
- Mathematical Structures
- Machine Fundamentals
- Mathematical Methods for Computer Science
- Software Design
- Academic Integrity
- Software Engineering
- Team Project
- Operating Systems
- Databases
- Algorithms and Complexity
- Introduction to Information Security
- Computer and Network Security
- Symbolic Artificial Intelligence
- Human-computer Interaction
- Applications of Cryptography
- Computational Finance
- Intelligent Agents and Multi-agent Systems
- Machine Learning
- Semantic Web
- Data Visualisation and Exploratory Analysis
- Advanced Data Communications
- Concurrent and Parallel Programming
- Interconnected Devices
- Critical Infrastructure Security
- Digital Forensics
- Smart Cards, RFIDs and Embedded Systems Security
- IT Project Management
- Software Language Engineering
- Bioinformatics
- Compilers and Code Generation
- Computational Optimisation
- Digital Audio and Applications
- Functional Programming and Applications
- Information Security MSci Project
- Security Management
- Secure Business Architectures
- Security Testing Theory and Practice
- MSci Individual Project
- Methods of Computational Finance
- Data Analysis
- Deep Learning
- Online Machine Learning
- Advanced Distributed Systems
- Large Scale Data Storage and Processing
- Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks
- Running a small business
- Standards, IP and Technology seminar series
- Technology Entrepreneurship
- Artificial Intelligence Principles and Techniques
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £32,000 after 15 months, £41,000 after 3 years, £48,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £33,000 and £68,500. The £48,500 median after five years is £12,500 more than the UK median for Computer science.
What do graduates of MSci Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
60% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Royal Holloway, University of London?
75% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 125 UCAS points.
Is MSci Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Royal Holloway, University of London accredited?
Yes. Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the award of Euro-Inf Bachelor Quality Label on behalf of EQANIE (European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education e.V.) as satisfying the outcomes of First Cycle Programmes specified by the Euro-Inf Framework Standards and Accreditation Criteria for Informatics Degree Programmes.
Does MSci Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Royal Holloway, University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MSci Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Royal Holloway, University of London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.