• You will gain cyber security skills for senior level careers by focusing on principles and issues, and you will learn how information security can best be managed.
  • You will benefit from Royal HollowayÕs wealth of research, expertise and practical consulting experience, which ensures that the degree is up to date and commercially relevant.
  • You can study most modules on a stand alone basis and earn CPE credits. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from new graduates through to senior security managers in blue chip enterprises seeking a formal qualification in Information Security.
  • The Information Security Group performs cutting-edge research in a number of areas including the design and evaluation of smart cards, system and mobile security, cryptography and the integration of security techniques.

    The ISG was awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 1998 for providing "a unique national resource for the training of information security specialists" and is recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR).

    The Information Security (MSc and PG Dip) programme at the Royal Holloway University of London became one of the first distance-learning courses to receive GCHQ certification. Accredited degrees were adjudged "to provide well-defined and appropriate content, delivered to the highest standard".

    Career progression

    Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, from recent graduates to senior security managers.

    Graduates of the programme can be found in many organisations, ranging from large financial institutions and consultancies through to technology and research-oriented organisations. They also act as security specialists within a wide range of companies.

    The MSc in Information Security is also a solid foundation for postgraduate research.

    How you study

    The course allows you to study independently, at a time and pace that suits you. As a distance-learning student, you'll receive:

    • Comprehensive learning materials: study guides / handbooks and core textbooks.
    • Access to online library resources: including e-texts, standards, research publications
    • Virtual student cafŽ: interact and network with other students.
    • Outstanding tutorial support: online tutor-supported seminars and discussions.
    • Induction module: for more about learning materials and online support.
    Your time commitment

    For each module, you should expect to spend around 200 hours studying and preparing for exams. To complete the degree in the minimum two-year period, you should expect to study around 20 hours per week during the academic session (OctoberÐApril).