Cybercrime (distance learning)

Overview

Overview

The studies you can expect to take on will encompass a range of topics, including cyber offender and victim characteristics; public and private responses to cybercrime; the regulatory influences that impact upon behaviour online; and much more.

You’ll learn how to analyse and apply different theoretical perspectives and research in relation to cybercrime, plus how to communicate this research to those outside of the field as well.

You'll take a global approach to cybercrime and investigate the international cooperation needed to tackle it.

Additionally, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with specialists in the cybercrime field, through The University of Portsmouth 's Cybercrime Awareness Clinic, and our affiliations with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), local constabularies, and regional organised crime units.

The critical and analytical knowledge you develop will help you contribute to the mitigation of cybercrimes on both a local and international level. Plus, with the prevalence of digital technology in most organisations, you can look forward to exploring a range of career opportunities across industries.

What you’ll experience

Take a holistic approach to cybercrime, developing critical thinking around responses to technological, human, legal and management perspectives

Investigate sociological and criminological aspects of cybercrime, identifying offender characteristics and the main victims of cybercrime

Collaborate with experienced personnel such as members of Hampshire Police and the Crime Commissioner’s Office on your dissertation/major project

Explore debates surrounding the causes of cybercrimes, digital investigations and the methods and motivations of cybercriminals

Assess new harms online such as bullying, harassment and technology-facilitated sexual violence, as well as potential shortfalls in legislation

Work experience and career planning

Our MSc Cybercrime is designed to equip you with the expertise needed to find success within the cybercrime field.

In addition to developing the specialist knowledge required to address cybercriminal activity, your research alongside our industry experts will familarise you with real-world processes and offer important experience collaborating with others.

These skills, coupled with the support you can receive from our exceptional Careers and Employability Service, will help position you as a valuable hire to employers across the world.

Roles open to graduates could include:

• Behaviour analysts
• Information security officers
• Risk management analysts
• Intelligence analysts
• Researchers

On-campus MSc Cybercrime graduates have gone on to secure positions such as:

• Data Protection Act Coordinator at Great Ormond Street Hospital
• Marketing at Data Protection World Forum
• Digital Team Leader at the NHS Trust
• Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at Accenture

Teaching and programme assessment 

All assessments for this course are based on coursework submitted online. Your performance is assessed through coursework including:

• Academic essays
• Briefing papers and reports
• Blog posts
• Narrated presentations
• A dissertation

You can also test your skills and knowledge informally before assessments via online quizzes, group discussions, peer review activities and virtual seminars.

Tutors will provide feedback on practice and formal assessments so you can improve your work for the future.