Cybercrime is the term applied to criminal and harmful behaviours that are facilitated using digital technologies, or that only occur due to the existence of such tools.

Unfortunately, as more people and services turn to digital technologies, the growing risk of cybercrime is exposing a shortfall in qualified professionals who realise that humans are at the heart of this issue. If you hold a keen interest in understanding and addressing the behavioural and social elements that motivate such actions, you may be well-suited for a career in this field.

The discipline of criminology, which seeks to uncover the underlying causes of crime and delinquency, provides the foundation for our MSc. Through exploring online power dynamics, social science research methods and more, you’ll develop into a confident and capable subject matter expert with the ability to help effect meaningful change for those vulnerable to cybercrime.

Note: Cybercrime is distinct from cyber security, which focuses on techniques of protecting digital technologies, networks, and data against criminal or unauthorised access. A straightforward way to differentiate the two is to think of cybercrime studies as addressing the reasons behind online deviant or criminal activity, whereas cyber security is a technical approach to preventing and tackling the activity itself.

Why this MSc Cybercrime?

On this postgraduate course, you’ll focus on the acts of cybercrime and the criminals behind them. You'll gain the skills needed to meet the demand for experienced cybercrime investigators and help make the online world a safer place.

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.

Career prospects and opportunities

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 familiarise 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.