Computer forensics is quite possibly the fastest growing branch of forensics, due to the ever growing IT field. Nowadays, the requirements for this branch are quite tough, as they should be – the basics are no longer enough, and a superior degree is often required. Still, if you get a masters degree in computer forensics, jobs start to open up for you, and even some well paying ones too. Here, we present the list of computer forensics masters available for study in the UK:
| University | University of Westminster |
| Duration | Full time 12 months; Part Time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- £8,000; Overseas: £12,500 |
| Program link |
Program information:
This redesigned course focuses on the specific emerging domains within computer science and software engineering, where there is increasing industry demand and a skills shortage. It will enable the student to develop the skills and knowledge needed to build the career in these new and important areas of computer science, significantly enhancing the employment opportunities while also providing a solid core of good software engineering practice that will enhance and reinforce the students’ existing skills. The core courses are:
– Computer Science Project
– Enterprise Application Development
– iPhone Application Development
– Mobile Application Development
– Pervasive Computing and Interactive Systems
– Research Methods
– Resource Virtualization
Other useful information:
The course covers the increasingly important area of resource virtualisation, services and systems administration. Businesses are now regularly using virtualised systems and techniques to lower costs and complexity and increase availability in computing environments. This course has a pathway of modules that will impart these principles and practice and provides a solid foundation for you to gain entry into this specialism.
| University | University of Greenwich |
| Duration | Full time -12 month; Part Time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- £7,200; Overseas: £ 1,200 per 30 credits |
| Program link |
Program information:
This program is for graduates of computer science, engineering or a cognate discipline, who wish to develop specialist computer forensics skills, knowledge and techniques, including an understanding of the legal and statutory issues associated with the field.Core contents of the courses are:
– Engineering Computer Forensics Acquisition (30 credits)
– Engineering Computer Forensics Analysis (30 credits)
– Engineering Forensics, Communications and Law (15 credits)
– Strategy and Management (15 credits)
– Research Methodology (15 credits)
– Individual Project and Dissertation (60 credits)
– One option from: Information and Network Security Engineering (15 credits) or Database Security and Administration (15 credits)
Other useful information:
This programme is designed to meet the further learning requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and British Computer Society (BCS). The content of the programme is informed by industry professionals and advisers and includes industrial standard software and procedures. The university has excellent facilities for delivering the programme including specialist networking facilities in the Internet Security Research Laboratory (ISRL) with a wide range of operating systems and industrial standard software (e.g. Metasploit, Wireshark, Scapy, EnCase).
| University | University of East London |
| Duration | Full time -12 months; Part Time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU, Full time- £6,990; UK/EU, Part time: £ 1,165 per 30 credits; Overseas, Full time £ 11,400; Overseas, Part time: £ 1,900 per 30 credits |
| Program link |
Program information:
The students will learn how to collect and examine digital evidence using Encase and FTK, and how to secure virtual crime scenes. They will learn and develop an understanding of legal issues raised by the increased use of communication networks. The programme also provides theoretical and practical knowledge in relevant technologies and techniques used to secure or investigate a computer system. The core modules are:
– Computer Security
– Security Management
– Seizure and Examination of Computer Forensics
– IT and Internet Law
– Dissertation
Other useful information:
This programme helps students develop a wide range of skills and competencies that will prepare them for a variety of career opportunities. The career outlook for graduates is positive, as there is a shortage of skilled personnel in both the Information Security and digital forensics fields. Graduates of this programme can progress to work in multinational organisations, including cyber-fighting agencies.
| University | University of South Wales |
| Duration | Full time -12 months; Part Time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU: £4,120; Overseas: £ 12,400 |
| Program link |
Program information:
The course is delivered in four major blocks that offer an intensive but focused learning pattern, with two entry opportunities for applicants every year – February and September. Full-time students will typically spend 12 hours in classes each week. If a student chooses to follow part-time masters, this is reduced to around six hours each week. The students will study through lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, seminars and projects. You will need to spend a significant amount of time working independently, reading and preparing for assessments. The core modules are:
– Independent Study
– Project Management and Research Methodology
– Security Management
– Computer Forensics and Crime Investigation
– Forensics Techniques and Data Recovery
– MSc Project
Other useful information:
Graduates will be well equipped for employment in this rapidly expanding and specialised branch of digital investigation, including working for the police, security services, commercial sector, or organisations that specialise in computer security. They will have had opportunity to develop problem-solving skills, excellent IT skills, a systematic approach to work, an awareness of security standards and legislation, communication and presentation skills, workload-management and a capacity for objectivity.
| University | London Metropolitan University |
| Duration | Full time -12 months; Part Time up to 36 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | Full time, UK/EU: £7,470; Overseas: £ 10,215; Part time students: £ 850 per 20 credits |
| Program link |
Program information:
A variety of teaching methods involving a mixture of lectures, tutorial and workshops will be used to facilitate learning. Practical skills will be developed through lab-based workshops using appropriate hardware and specialized software tools within a fully equipped IT lab. The core modules are:
– Advanced Digital Forensics
– Network Security
– Advanced Digital Crime Investigation
– Information Security
– IT Security Management
– Research and Development Skills
Other useful information:
The unprecedented rise in digital crimes has resulted in computer forensics becoming one of the fastest-growing industries. Consequently, there are now a wide range of employment opportunities for well qualified graduates. Graduates will find many of these roles appearing in the IT security industry and financial sector. The programme is also an excellent foundation if graduates wish to continue their studies in a research field.
| University | King’s College London |
| Duration | 12 month |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU: £4,420; Overseas: £ 18,000 |
| Program link |
Program information:
This programme equips students with a critical understanding of intelligent systems for legal and administrative applications, computer forensics and cybercrime, an appreciation of the aspects of law that are most relevant to the work of IT-professionals, and a grounding in key management techniques. Compulsory modules:
– Computer Forensics and Cybercrime
– Intelligent Systems for Legal and Administrative Applications
– IT Law for IT Professionals
– Principles of Management
Other useful information:
It is built around taught core modules on intelligent systems for legal and administrative applications, computer forensics and cybercrime, IT law for IT professionals and the principles of management. These modules are complemented by a wide range of optional modules that relate to various aspects of computing and management. The final part of the programme is an individual project that is closely linked to the main themes of the programme, containing a substantial computer science component of either a theoretical or practical nature.
| University | De Montfort University |
| Duration | Full time -12 months; Part Time 36 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | Full time: £11,440; Part time UK/EU: £350 per module; Part time Overseas: £ 485 per module |
| Program link |
Program information:
For each of the shared modules students undertake a professional and specialist hand-on training course at 7Safe (Cambridge) and following successful completion of that they are then eligible to apply to DMU for the distance learning ‘top-up’ and assessment. Successfully completing the DMU further learning and assessment for each course/module gives student’s 15 Masters credits. Core courses are:
– Network Security and Ethical Hacking 1 and 2
– Wireless Security
– Forensic Tools and Processes
– Advanced Forensics and Incident Response
– Security Strategy and Standards
– Advanced Topics in Forensics and Security
– MSc Project / Dissertation
Other useful information:
Graduates are likely to be employed as computer security specialists within law enforcement, government or other related agencies, in commercial IT departments or security consultancies, or in other computing positions where computer security is an issue. It is anticipated that successful completion of the MSc will support the career development of graduates. Opportunities also exist for further academic study towards a PhD and a career in research.
| University | Staffordshire University |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | £ 9,950 |
| Program link |
Program information:
Computer science covers everything from theory, to cutting-edge development and evaluation of computing solutions. This MSc Programme in Computer Science will provide the student with the skills and knowledge to be able to respond and adapt to new technologies and new ideas. The main courses are:
– Research Methods
– Advanced Data Structures & Algorithms
– Advanced Topics in Computer Science
– Information & Social Networks and Computation theory
– Project module
Other useful information:
A major component of the course is the project module, which is an extensive piece of research work in an applications domain relevant to the student’s academic or professional interests. It is intended to provide the beneficiary with an opportunity to undertake a major investigation and produce a major dissertation on the outcome of the work. Assessment of the project will be based on this dissertation and presentations of the work. The work carried out during the project is expected to have a strong research component and will, in many cases, be appropriate in forming the basis of further academic research – for example a PhD programme.
| University | Liverpool John Moores University |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | on demand |
| Program link |
Program information:
Join the MSc Digital Forensics and Cybercrime Analysis award and we will give train to become a Digital Forensic Investigator, equipped to work with police forces, public and private investigation agencies. The experienced forensic practitioners will teach analytical and investigative skills using industry standard tools and techniques in a state-of-the-art digital forensic examination laboratory. The course will enhance the student’s computer knowledge and his/her interpretation skills to achieve an expert status in digital forensic analysis. Core modules:
– Digital Forensic Fundamentals
– File System Analysis
– Cybercrime Forensic Analysis
– Advanced Cybercrime Forensic Analysis
– Forensic Investigation Project
– Expert Witness Testimony & Digital Evidence Presentation
– Computer Security High-Level
– Malicious Code and Reverse Engineering
Other useful information:
As a Digital Forensic Investigator, the specialist will investigate crime committed using digital devices such as desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones and smart devices, in a forensically sound manner. The investigator will also be involved in analyzing hacking incidents and how computer systems could have been compromised.
| University | Middlesex University |
| Duration | Full time -12 months; Part Time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU, Full time:£ 7,500; Overseas, Full time: £ 11,000; Part time, UK/EU: £ 50 per taught credit, £ 25 per dissertation credit; Part time, overseas: £ 74 per taught credit, £ 37 per dissertation credit |
| Program link |
Program information:
On the forensic side, the student will become an expert in the tools, techniques, procedures, hardware and software used in investigation. He/she will learn how to collect, investigate, handle and document digital evidence from computers and mobile or hand-held devices and how to present it in court. As well as IT law and professional and ethical issues, the future specialist will look at the legal system more generally: criminal law, theories of crime, the justice system and law enforcement, as well as intellectual property law, privacy and data protection law. On the security side, the student will learn how to prevent and detect security breaches, how to develop and put in place a security policy and how to use network analysis tools. Other covered areas are security regulations, contingency planning and risk management. Core modules are:
– Digital Evidence Management and Forensic Processes (30 Credits)
– Digital Investigation Digital Technology (30 Credits)
– Information Security Management (30 Credits)
– Legal and Professional Aspects of Digital Forensics (30 Credits)
– Postgraduate Computing Project (60 Credits)
Other useful information:
For the independent project, a research topic or case study to investigate will be chosen and the student will plan and carry out your research, collect and analyse data and present your findings in a written report. The module includes workshops on reviewing research literature, project planning and research methods to help prepare, and the students will work under the guidance of an academic supervisor, meeting with him or her regularly and receiving frequent feedback. The beneficiary will be assessed on the basis of the research proposal, the report and possibly a viva.
| University | Leeds Metropolitan University |
| Duration | Full time -12 months; Part Time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | £6000 |
| Program link |
Program information:
The course is designed in consideration of the ACPO guidelines, Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (CREST) and is designed to be as practical and real world based as is possible in an academic course. The student will be taught using industry standard tools by academics who are also commercial practitioners in the related fields, allowing you to benefit from the latest changes in the profession.The students will also benefit from interaction with external forensic and security experts who will come and talk regarding what the role information this is enabled through the university’s close links with industry. Core modules are:
– Digital Evidence Analysis (20 Credits)
– Offensive Security & Penetration Testing (20 Credits)
– Principles of Digital Security (20 Credits)
– Research Practice (20 Credits)
– Forensic Analysis of Alternative Devices (20 Credits)
– Dissertation (40 Credits)
– Securing Evidence (20 Credits)
Other useful information:
The University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. It is usually required that the students get some evidence of recent academic study, for example completion of an access course, however relevant work and life experience may also be considered. For some of the professional courses all applicants will need to meet the specified entry criteria and in these cases relevant work and life experiences cannot be considered in lieu.
