Why study this course?

The Computer Networking and Cyber Security with Work Experience MSc includes a work experience placement as well as Cisco accreditation upon successful completion of the course.

You’ll develop your knowledge of the very latest cyber security principles, tools and techniques taught by our specialist staff in a dedicated laboratory. Guest speakers from the industry will contribute to your learning, while the work experience will provide a unique student experience that will enhance your employability after graduation.

This degree course 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

More about this course

Taught by qualified Cisco instructors, this course offers you a unique opportunity to combine networking technologies with cyber security and gain Cisco accreditation. Such a combination will be attractive to employers increasingly seeking staff with postgraduate qualifications in this area.

The work experience embedded in this course will form a crucial element of your learning. The course team will help you find a relevant opportunity with the help of a Cisco Academy manager who has built a network of relevant employers in the past 15 years through the Networking Academy and its contacts.

The Academy has currently 18 smaller academies providing continuous technical and academic support, as well as training their instructors according to Cisco’s regulations. These academies are mainly local to London Met and range from schools to technical colleges. We'll aim to place you in these academies for your work experience.

The rest of the modules involve hands-on practical workshops and are housed in specialist laboratories with up-to-date networking technology and equipment, such as our IT security laboratory. Guest speakers from the industry will complement your learning from the teaching staff.

London Met’s 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, the academy has been running short and evening courses in Cisco CCNA and CCNP certification. These are two of the most prestigious vocational certifications valued by networking and related industries. Several of the modules from both the CCNA and CCNP courses are embedded in this Master's, ensuring you’ll be studying the relevant Cisco curriculum.

Assessment

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 a dedicated web page to provide you 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.

Professional accreditation

Successfully pass this course and you will receive Cisco accreditation.

Fees and key information

Course type
Postgraduate
Entry requirements View
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Entry requirements

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 CCNP curriculum and are very practically assessed. You are strongly advised to either study CISCO CCNA or ensure that you are competent in configuring CISCO devices before you enrol to ensure success in this MSc 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 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.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2023/24 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 1 modules include:

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

The aim of the work experience period is to provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in the field of computing and related areas. The work experience period is seen by the course team as an essential vehicle for consolidation of knowledge and skills gained from the formal scheduled teaching element of the course This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake work experience in the Computing and IT industry at postgraduate level. The work experience spans two semesters and is underpinned by the taught element of the course in order to further enhance students’ skills relevant to their world of work and their career aspirations.

This Work Experience may take one or a combination of the following:

• Students will be encouraged to find their own work placements in the publiC and private sector in the first instance.

• Students may be placed in suitable employment at the university and will be required to apply for work experience at the university.

• Students may be placed in suitable employment in the voluntary sector

• The World of Work (WoW) Agency in the School of Computing may find suitable projects for the students.

Students may undertake a WoWbiz project which would typically entail an individual student or a team of students working on a real project which has been specified by a business

Students will be prepared for work experience over a 6-week period. The actual work experience will cover a period of 6 months followed by an appraisal, critical reflection and review period of 2 weeks.

The work experience forms an integral part of the degree and will be assessed formally by the academic supervisor. It is an important part of the student's education that they spend an appropriate time in work with a view to establishing good professional practice that will enrich their learning and prepare them for the world of work.

Students will have the work experience approved, before they take up the opportunity. It is essential that students are made aware that both the work experience and the relevant “health and safety checklist” where applicable need to be approved before starting.

Support and advice will be given to students by their academic supervisor. The academic supervisor will be able to identify appropriate forms of work experience, consult a local employers’ database for prospective work experience and direct students to the careers team at Student Services for further help and advice in seeking employment.

To ensure students on Tier 4 (General)/ Student visas are able to benefit from enhanced learning through work placements, the following must be followed to remain compliant with the Home Office regulations on work placements and not endanger their visas to study in the UK.

Work placements as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are those placements which are an integral and assessed part of the course.

Work placements must be reported to UKVI before they start and the dates and placement details cannot be changed without prior approval from the module leader, the Work Based Learning team and the International Support and Compliance Team.

Students holding Tier 4 (General)/ Student visas must:

• Ensure the placement is agreed by the module leader as well as the Work Based Learning team before starting the placement.

• Provide all relevant paperwork and placement details to the Work Based Learning team before starting the placement

• Start the placement in the term the module is registered. If this needs to be changed because a placement is not available, this must be communicated to the Work Based Learning team

• Ensure weekly, signed timesheets are provided to the Work Based Learning team for all external placements

• Ensure they communicate any changes to the placement immediately to the module leader, Work Based Learning team and the International Support and Compliance Team.

• Direct any questions about work placements to visa.compliance@londonmet.ac.uk

This module currently runs:
  • autumn semester - Thursday afternoon

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.

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.


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.

This module currently runs:
  • spring semester - Wednesday morning

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

Where this course can take you

You could enjoy a career as a network engineer, network manager, network security and cyber security consultant, crime and computer forensic or network security professional.

Additional costs

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.

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