Fees and key information

Course type
Postgraduate
Entry requirements
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Why study this course?

Our Computer Networking and Cyber Security MSc postgraduate course includes Cisco accreditation and is designed for those wishing to pursue a career in computer networking and cyber security. During the course, you'll develop the ability to design and manage robust networking and cyber security systems.

Keeping computer systems secure is one of the most challenging tasks of our time. To help you rise to the challenge, this MSc provides knowledge in the very latest security principles, tools and techniques taught by specialist staff in a dedicated IT security laboratory. You'll also gain an understanding of the principles underpinning effective approaches to cyber defence in response to a cyber attack.

Guest speakers from the industry will complement the teaching staff and enhance and challenge your knowledge of computer networking and cyber security.

Our Computer Networking and Cyber Security MSc degree has been accredited with partial CITP status by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. This accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by BCS. As a graduate of this course, accreditation will also entitle you to professional membership of BCS, which is an important part of the criteria for achieving Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status through the Institute.

The course has also achieved partial CENG status by BCS on behalf of the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

This master's course offers you a unique opportunity to combine knowledge of networking technologies with cyber security and gain Cisco accreditation. Such a combination is attractive to employers who increasingly seek graduates in this field.

The growing international consensus is that increased cyber security skills are needed in order to respond to the number and sophistication of digital threats. Governments, corporations and large and small organisations recognise this as a priority, and so are on the lookout for graduates of a high calibre to work in this field.

Our Communications Technology group was one of the first university groups in the UK to be awarded the Cisco Networking Academy accreditation in 1998. Since then, we have been running short and evening courses in Cisco CCNA and CCNP certification. These are two of the most prestigious vocational certifications valued in computer networking and its related industries.

Several of the modules in both the CCNA and CCNP are currently embedded in the Computer Networking and Cyber Security MSc course, allowing you to learn the relevant Cisco certification.

The ten practical sessions will be housed in specialist laboratories with up-to-date networking technology equipment, including our IT Security Laboratory. Guest speakers from the industry will complement London Met's teaching staff and qualified Cisco instructors.

Accredited by BCS

This degree has been accredited with partial CITP status by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

This course has partial CENG status

The course has achieved partial CENG status by BCS on behalf of the Engineering Council, which means the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC)

Become a professional member of BCS

Graduates of this course will be entitled to professional membership of BCS, which is an important part of the criteria for achieving Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status through the Institute

Course modules

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2024/25 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year modules

Cyber Security Management

This module currently runs:
spring semester - Tuesday afternoon

(core, 20 credits)

This module focuses on various aspects of Cybersecurity Management and deals mainly with the protection of information assets over the cyber space by concerted measures.

This module aims to provide students with an appreciation of the benefits Cybersecurity Management provides within a business environment and over cyber space. This includes the choice and application of appropriate risk assessment and risk control techniques, the understanding of security standards & procedures, coupled with the application of cybersecurity technology & security measures in a business setting.

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Cybercrime and Cyber Security

This module currently runs:
autumn semester - Tuesday afternoon

(core, 20 credits)

This module provides a broad introduction to cybercrime and cyber security evolution. The module examines the relationship between advances in Internet-based and digital technologies, and their criminal exploitation within cyberspace. It examines a wide range of cyber threats, attacks and risks, and the strategies employed to mitigate these, including the laws that are in place to protect and prevent online crimes/cybercrimes.

The module provides essential coverage of the principles and concepts underpinning cybercrime and cyber security, maintaining focus on the identification, examinations and assessment of the key threats, attacks and risks, and in areas related to legal, ethical, social and professional issues.

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MSc Project

This module currently runs:
spring semester - Wednesday afternoon
autumn semester - Wednesday afternoon
summer studies - Wednesday afternoon

(core, 60 credits)

The module provides students with the experience of planning and bringing to fruition a major piece of individual work. Also, the module aims to encourage and reward individual inventiveness and application of effort through working on research or company/local government projects. The project is an exercise that may take a variety of forms depending on the nature of the project and the subject area. Particular students will be encouraged to carry out their projects for local companies or government departments.

The objectives of the module are:
• To develop the ability to produce detailed specification relevant to the problem of investigation.
• To manage the project by confining the problem within the constraints of time and available resources.
• To effectively research the background material on the topic using a variety of sources and to develop ability to conduct critical analysis and draw conclusions.
• To apply and/or extend the knowledge acquired in the taught core modules to a new area of application or investigation.
• To use relevant tools and techniques for designing, testing, analysing, and critical evaluation.
• To demonstrate the originality in the application of new knowledge and skills.
• To effectively communicate the work to others by verbal and documentation media.
• To raise awareness in potential business development opportunities in an area pertinent to the topic.

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Introduction to Networks

This module currently runs:
autumn semester - Friday morning

(alternative core, 20 credits)

This module introduces the architectures, models, protocols, and networking elements that connect users, devices, applications and data through the Internet and across modern computer networks - including IP addressing and Ethernet fundamentals. By the end of the course, students can build simple local area networks (LAN) that integrate IP addressing schemes, foundational network security, and perform basic configurations for routers and switches.
Student will:
• Explain network technologies.
• Explain how devices access local and remote network resources.
• Describe router hardware.
• Explain how switching operates in a small to medium-sized business network.
• Design an IP addressing scheme to provide network connectivity for a small to medium-sized business network.
• Configure initial settings on a network device.
• Implement basic network connectivity between devices.

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Network Routing Protocols

This module currently runs:
autumn semester - Thursday morning

(alternative core, 20 credits)

This module tackles all issues important in the design, implementation, and configuration and troubleshooting of routing protocols in computer networks. Students learn basic concepts of routing algorithms and associated protocols. They then develop advanced skills in the deployment of individual protocols as well as advanced topics, such as route redistribution, route filtering, and migration to the latest Internet Protocol, IPv6. It includes aspects such as the Hierarchical Network Model, IP v4 and 6, Advanced routing protocols including Interior Gateway Protocols such as EIGRP capabilities and attributes and single and multi-area OSPF as well as the Exterior Gateway Protocol, BGP.It also introduces route filtering and path control to provide optimal and secure path selection in a complex computer network. Upon successfully completion of this module student should be able to sit for CCNP Route industry certification subject to satisfying relevant pre-requisite (CCNA).

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Switched Networks

This module currently runs:
summer studies - Monday morning
summer studies - Wednesday afternoon
spring semester - Friday morning

(alternative core, 20 credits)

This module develops in depth analytical and practical knowledge and skills for configuring and managing Internetworking devices in Local Area Networks using both basic and advanced Switching protocols.

Student are able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles and technologies that underpin computer networking practice, design and application; as well as knowledge of the principal features of the computer Networking industry, its role, structure and organisation; The student would be able to draw independent conclusions based on a rigorous, analytical and critical assessment of argument, opinion and data.

The module introduces the student to current best practice in the design, deployment and maintenance of complex local area networks. It focuses on the delivery of high availability networks within the scalable campus network with a close attention to switch security and prepares students with a broad scope of architectural understanding and implementation skills required by enterprise networks.

Upon successfully completion of this module student should be able to sit for CCNP Switch industry certification subject to satisfying relevant pre-requisite (CCNA) and necessary preparations.

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Switching Routing and Wireless Essentials

This module currently runs:
spring semester - Friday morning

(alternative core, 20 credits)

This course focuses on switching technologies and router operations that support small-to-medium business networks and includes wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. Students learn key switching and routing concepts. They can perform basic network configuration and troubleshooting, identify and mitigate LAN security threats, and configure and secure a basic WLAN. covering switching, routing and wireless concepts and configurations. The material is utilising resources by our Londonmet Cisco Networking Academy and extend the theory by putting this into practice using Cisco switching and routing hardware as well as network-simulation environments. By the end of this course, you will be able to configure advanced functionality in routers and switches. You will also be able to perform basic troubleshooting of these components. Using security best practices, you will troubleshoot and resolve common protocol issues in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

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Digital Forensics

This module currently runs:
autumn semester - Friday morning

(option, 20 credits)

This module addresses the growing demand from police forces, security agencies and commercial organisations for skilled professionals in this developing area. It covers such topics: digital crime activities and their prosecution, digital forensic & digital evidence, digital forensic process tools, and the legal and regulatory issues.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge of preservation and extraction of relevant digital evidence from main stream digital equipment, including computers, computer networks (including the cyber space/Internet), and other digital devices in appropriate procedures, tools and techniques. The students will be able to expand their knowledge of how computers operate and communicate as well as issues related to networking and web technologies in order to develop the skills required to be able to use computers as a crime investigative tool.

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Enterprise Networking Security and Automation

This module currently runs:
autumn semester - Friday afternoon

(option, 20 credits)

Large enterprises depend heavily on the smooth operation of their network infrastructures. This course describes the architectures and considerations related to designing, securing, operating, and troubleshooting enterprise networks. It covers wide area network (WAN) technologies and quality of service (QoS) mechanisms used for secure remote access along with the introduction of software-defined networking, virtualization, and automation concepts that support the digitalization of networks.

Students gain skills to configure and troubleshoot enterprise networks, and learn to identify and protect against cybersecurity threats. They are introduced to network management tools and learn key concepts of software-defined networking, including controller-based architectures and how application programming interfaces (APIs) enable network automation.

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Hardening Network Infrastructure

This module currently runs:
summer studies - Friday morning
spring semester - Friday afternoon
summer studies - Friday afternoon

(option, 20 credits)

This module is delivered in two main parts, the first part is based on the CCNA Security, one of the Cisco Networking Academy Programme courses. The second part is Security Controls which are tools that you implement to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of important assets and data. This part of the module covers areas of regulation, compliance and best practices in ensuring that critical data and resources are protected and available for authorised use particularly by implementing NewGen Firewall technology.

The Cisco CCNA Security curriculum provides a next step for individuals who want to enhance their CCNA-level skill set and help meet the growing demand for network security professionals. The curriculum provides an introduction to the core security concepts and skills needed for the installation, troubleshooting, and monitoring of network devices to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and devices. CCNA Security helps prepare students for entry-level security career opportunities and the globally recognized Cisco CCNA Security certification.
This course is a hands-on, career-oriented e-learning solution with an emphasis on practical experience to help students develop specialized security skills, along with critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills. CCNA Security is a blended curriculum with both online and classroom learning. Students who enrol in CCNA Security are expected to have CCNA-level networking concepts knowledge and skills, along with basic PC and Internet navigation skills.
In Security Controls part, students are introduced to auditing and evaluation tools used to assess and validate security posture of a network and are given exposure to network threats and vulnerabilities.
Students will assess the baseline security and configuration features required to secure network devices.

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Network Troubleshooting

This module currently runs:
autumn semester - Thursday afternoon

(option, 20 credits)

The module is highly practical and is designed to prepare students for real world networks. Troubleshooting Cisco IP Networks teaches students the knowledge and skills that will enable the troubleshooting of complex enterprise routed and switched networks.

Students use their skill to troubleshoot the communication on large-scale data networks using Cisco equipment and extend their research skills. Students will cover various network diagnostic commands, switch and VLAN troubleshooting, EIGRP, OSPF and BGP troubleshooting, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and routing issues, troubleshooting of wireless networks and various network security protocol related issues. A good trouble-shooter can save time and mitigate costs incurred by downtime.

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Security Auditing and Penetration Testing

This module currently runs:
spring semester - Tuesday morning

(option, 20 credits)

This module is designed to introduce principles underlying computer and network security auditing, securing, and penetration testing. It also introduces tools used to assess and validate security posture of a network and its applications. There is an extensive exposure to network threats and vulnerabilities. Students will assess the various security and configuration features required to secure networks.

This module also focuses on guiding students for further specialisation in vendor-neutral security certification programs such as GIAC, ISC, EC-Council, ISACA and networking with industry experts and engage in professional bodies such as BCS-ISSG.

The aim of the module is:

• To provide students with knowledge of the fundamental principles and techniques employed in auditing, securing networks and penetration testing.

• To create awareness of the need for security in computer and communications systems.

• To appraise a security policy and network security posture.

• To enable students to assess security risks and be able to apply appropriate mechanisms to counter the risks

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Course details

You will be required to have:

  • a lower second class (2:2) UK degree (or equivalent) in Computer Networking and Cyber Security, Computer Security, Computer Science, Computing, Electronics and Communications, or a closely related discipline
  • applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered

Please note the networking modules are based on CISCO curriculum. The course offers two pathways leading to the same MSc award, and your prior CISCO networking experience will determine your placement in one of these pathways at enrolment to support your success in the program.

London Metropolitan University has an established Cisco Academy and can provide advice on CISCO training and certifications.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa (previously Tier 4) you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our standard requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

A range of assessment methods are employed throughout the course, including case study reports and presentations, use of laboratory workbooks/logbooks, unseen examinations, part-seen examinations and individual vivas.

You can view the assessment for each module in the modular structure section below. Individual module guides describing the assessments will also be available to you at the start of the semester.

Every module has dedicated web page providing students with comprehensive learning and teaching material including workshop exercises. Module leaders will use this site regularly to communicate with you to provide general feedback, guidelines on how to write technical reports, effective presentations and how to keep logbooks.

Successfully pass this course and you will receive Cisco accreditation.

There is an abundance of sectors and industries that require the skills and knowledge you'll develop on this course. Your skills in networking, network security and cyber security, IT security and computer forensics will be highly valuable. You could become a network engineer, network manager, cyber security consultant, crime and computer forensic and network security professional.

If you've already studied your undergraduate degree with us, as a graduate of London Met, you'll be entitled to a 20% discount on any further study with us.
* exclusions apply

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.

Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.

How to apply

Use the apply button to begin your application.

If you require a Student visa and wish to study a postgraduate course on a part-time basis, please read our how to apply information for international students to ensure you have all the details you need about the application process.

When to apply

You are advised to apply as early as possible as applications will only be considered if there are places available on the course.

To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.

Are you from outside the UK? Find out how to apply from your home country

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