Description
This industry-relevant qualification gives a rigorous approach to studying and applying cyber security. It covers various topics and incorporates transferable skills applicable to professional development. It’s also the first two-thirds of our MSc in Cyber Security (F87).
Key features of the course
- Brings together theory and practice, drawing on your own background and experience
- Provides a platform for further research studies
- Enables you to study a broad range of cyber security topics relevant to career needs and professional interests
This postgraduate diploma is the same as the first two-thirds of our MSc in Cyber Security (F87).
Planning your studies
To start this diploma, you will need a UK bachelors degree (or equivalent) in computing, cyber security or a related discipline, or relevant industrial experience in the area of cyber security. If you do not hold a bachelors degree, irrespective of your industrial experience, you will need to study a module from the Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (K22) to demonstrate your ability to study successfully at postgraduate level.
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.
Our badged open course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, will introduce you to the nature of masters-level study. It offers essential preparation for pursuing your learning at this level – and is free.
How long it takes
This qualification can be completed within one year. Most students will study this qualification over two years, completing 60 credits each year. The maximum time to complete this is four years.
Career relevance and employability
The modules in the postgraduate cyber security programme are for professional security specialists, computer specialists, engineers, technical managers and scientists who need to develop or update their skills and knowledge in the area of cyber security and gain a recognised qualification to develop their careers. They have been developed to combine theoretical and practical aspects of cyber security, to enable you to become an effective professional in the industry.
In addition, they aim to encourage you, through the provision of appropriate educational activities, to develop study and transferable skills applicable to your employment and your continuing professional development.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:
120 credits from:
Module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Information security (M811)
Explore the professional and technical skills necessary to understand, document, manage and implement strategic and operational aspects of your organisation’s information security.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2024 |
- Digital forensics (M812)
M812 covers the history of forensics, both criminal and criminal digital law, digital investigation techniques for desktop and mobile devices as well as forensic readiness.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2024 |
- Systems security (M817)
This module teaches how to apply a threat modelling approach to help design and implement secure system architectures, one of the essential technical areas of cyber security.
See full description
|
30 |
May 2024 |
- Network security (T828)
This module includes Cisco CCNA Security and Cyber Security Operations; explore information systems security management and secure internetworked systems.
See full description
|
30 |
Nov 2024 |
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.
Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.
On completion
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Security. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip Cyber (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification