Introduction
This programme focuses on two key areas: securing AI systems to ensure they are robust, responsible, and regulatory-compliant and using AI to enhance cybersecurity methods against complex threats.
Start in January or September
This programme is available to start in either January or September.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 16 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
Machine learning (ML) technologies have become critical to cybersecurity, as they are able to quickly analyse millions of events and flag abnormal behaviour or potential security threats. Conversely, confidentiality and integrity are crucial to AI and cybersecurity techniques are therefore crucial to protecting AI systems from vulnerabilities and attacks.
This programme embodies the idea of "AI for Security, and Security for AI," offering training in fundamental cybersecurity practices like secure software development, digital forensics, and ethical hacking, combined with advanced AI and machine learning concepts.
The increasing use of AI across different industry sectors and the rise in cyber attacks threatening individuals, organisations and countries is driving demand for professionals proficient in both cybersecurity and AI. Studying this programme will equip you with a distinctive set of skills in both of these interconnected fields and open up a wide range of career opportunities.
Available Programmes of Study
- MSc
-
Cybersecurity and Machine Learning
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £26,250 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year UK £12,200 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
- Machine Learning (CS5062)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will deliver the most sophisticated Machine Learning methodologies and algorithms which would be illustrated across a wide range of applications including but not limited to images, videos, health, time series data, language processing, etc. This course provides students with the Machine Learning principles for continuing learning and working in the area of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Optional Courses
- Students must select ONE of CS502L Cybersecurity Fundamentals OR CS502B Security in Emerging Networks
- Students must select ONE of CS502M Security Analytics with Artificial Intelligence OR CS502C Enterprise Security Architecture
- Students must select ONE of CS5063 Evaluation of AI Systems OR CS5079 Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals (CS502L)
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15 Credit Points
This course presents the fundamental concepts of Cyber Security, including but not limited to cryptography, network protocols, access control, authentication, security management and web security. This course provides students with the Cyber Security principles for continuing learning and working in the area of Cyber Security.
- Security in Emerging Networks (CS502B)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will cover emerging technologies in cybersecurity such as Software-defined Networking (SDN), Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain. It will deliver the role of emerging technologies in cyberspace, what impact we will have on our legacy system and how we can remain agile and efficient. The course will provide a foundation for identifying the significance of technological advancements and cybersecurity issues, and challenges raised in adapting the 5G & beyond network.
- Security Analytics with Artificial Intelligence (CS502M)
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15 Credit Points
This course provides an introduction to the analysis of cybersecurity data. It will show how to use tools and methods from data science and machine learning to perform such analysis. Broader issues at the interface of security and privacy with AI will be discussed.
- Enterprise Security Architecture (CS502C)
-
15 Credit Points
A major contributing factor to cyber risk is the lack of well-designed cybersecurity architecture that protects against ever-evolving cyber-attacks. A well-designed architecture provides a streamlined workflow for security and non-security practitioners, along with increasing the robustness of an organisation’s cybersecurity. In this course you will gain the advance knowledge to develop, design and analyse security solution architectures to meet your organisation's cybersecurity objectives.
- Evaluation of AI Systems (CS5063)
-
15 Credit Points
One of the biggest challenges in Artificial Intelligence is evaluating how well AI systems work. This course will provide students of our MSc in AI with knowledge of core evaluation concepts, approaches, tools, techniques and technologies; we will also look at software testing of AI systems.
- Applied Artificial Intelligence (CS5079)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will allow students to use cutting-edge AI technologies to investigate the creation and application of AI systems. Such tools include deep learning libraries and simulation environments.
Semester 2
Optional Courses
- Students must select ONE of CS552E Digital Forensics and Incident Management OR Blockchain and Smart Contracts
- Students must select ONE of CS551J Knowledge Representation and Reasoning OR CS551K Software Agents and Multi-Agent Systems
- Students must select ONE of CS552G Ethical hacking and web security OR CS552H Secure Software Development
- Students must select ONE of CS552J Data Mining with Deep Learning OR CS551H Natural Language Generation
- Digital Forensics and Incident Management (CS552E)
-
15 Credit Points
Data breaches are everywhere, and cyber incidents can be extremely costly for an organization. Therefore, the speed at which you identify a violation and respond to the incident is critical to your data and systems' security. This course will provide technical and legal discussions on incident detection, investigation, response, and digital forensic techniques. It will walk you through best practices for everything from incident response to in-depth digital forensics. This will help the student identify vulnerabilities and better communicate breaches to those impacted.
- Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (CS551J)
-
15 Credit Points
Recent advances in AI have changed the perception of what machines can do, from on-line search to answering questions. An underlying feature of many AI systems concern how knowledge is acquired, represented, and reasoned with. Companies such as Google, IBM, and Facebook have been developing sophisticated tools for knowledge representation and reasoning. This module provides the theory and practice of knowledge representation and reasoning, also presenting cutting-edge technologies, libraries and tools. At the end of the course students will be able to design, implement and evaluate knowledge-intensive AI systems.
- Software Agents and Multi - Agent Systems (CS551K)
-
15 Credit Points
The global autonomous systems market is expected to be valued at over £13 billion by 2025, involving both software systems and robots. Such autonomous systems act to achieve goals with no human intervention, and are already found in Tesla's self-driving cars, NASA space probes and systems such as Amazon's Echo. This course provides the student with a solid grounding in the theory and tools which underpin such systems, teaching them both how to develop such systems, and use them effectively as part of a larger product.
- Ethical Hacking and Web Security (CS552G)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will deliver approaches and methodologies used for carrying out and managing security and penetration testing, including but not limited to web applications, network protocols, common attacks and security countermeasures. The course will help the student build the ability to design secure systems and defend against intrusion.
- Secure Software Design and Development (CS552H)
-
15 Credit Points
Software bugs and vulnerabilities are the main source of threats to security. This course introduces students to design, development, testing and evaluating secure and dependable software. This course develops students both theoretical and practical skills to define, implement, examine, and manage secure software lifecycle. The course provides necessary skills needed for security professionals ranging from software architects, developers to penetration testers and IT Managers.
- Data Mining with Deep Learning (CS552J)
-
15 Credit Points
This course aims to make students familiar with basic data mining and visualisation techniques and software tools. Students will learn how to analyse complex datasets by applying data pre-processing, exploration, clustering and classification, time series analysis, and many other techniques. This course will also cover text mining and qualitative modelling. Through this course students will be able to analyse real-world datasets in various domains and discover novel patterns from them. This course is particularly suitable for those who are interested in working as data analysts or data scientists in the future.
- Natural Language Generation (CS551H)
-
15 Credit Points
The aim of the course is to introduce students who have some background in computing to (1) the varied aims for which Natural Language Generation (NLG) is pursued, (2) the main rule based and statistical methods that are used in NLG, and (3) some of the main NLG algorithms and systems. The course will cover NLG both as a theoretical enterprise (e.g., for constructing models of language production) and as practical language engineering, paying particular attention to the link between NLG and data science. Some programming experience is expected.
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Project in Cybersecurity (CS592A)
-
60 Credit Points
This course will provide students the opportunity to focus on a practical or theoretical problem and investigate the solutions. The research will be carried out under the supervision of a member of staff. Typical projects include improving, or adapting existing cybersecurity practices, theories, and techniques to solve different problems. Students will improve their problem-solving and communication skills, as well as broaden and consolidate knowledge obtained in other components of the degree.
MSc 16 months On Campus Learning Full Time January Aberdeen More
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lab Work
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Why Study Cybersecurity and Machine Learning?
- This programme allows you to choose between a number of courses, meaning you can tailor the degree to your specific interests and future career plans.
- The courses provide highly practical training in penetration testing and ethical hacking, preparing you to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen security.
- You will also get hands-on experience with enterprise-grade tools for forensic security and learn to investigate security breaches, ensure compliance, and maintain the integrity of your IT infrastructure.
- You will develop technical expertise and practical skills in identifying and critically evaluating security and data protection techniques in the Internet of Things, 5G Networks, Cloud Computing, Autonomous Vehicles and Industrial Control Systems.
- Your research project gives you the opportunity to further enhance your problem-solving and communication skills and apply the skills and knowledge you obtain throughout the programme.
- The University of Aberdeen has a strong history and worldwide reputation in computing science, in particular around Data Science, Natural Language Generation and Artificial Intelligence and is home to the research success of ARRIA NLG - the global leader in the field of natural language generation (NLG).
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
A Bachelor's degree with a 2:2 (lower second class) Honours degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or another relevant quantitative discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Natural Science, Electronic Engineering, General Engineering, Operations Research, or a joint degree in two such subjects.
Applicants should also be competent in computer programming (C/C++, Python) to the level expected at the end of the first year of a BSc Honours Degree in Computer Science.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
Graduates of this programme will be well-equipped to work in cybersecurity companies, AI and Machine Learning (ML), general software consultancy companies, specialised software development businesses and the IT departments of large institutions (financial, telecommunications, and public sector).
Cybersecurity jobs remain in high demand in the UK and that number is only set to grow, with the skills gap still very much a reality for employers. According to the careers website Indeed.com, ten popular careers in cybersecurity include:
1. Cyber security intern (National average salary: £30,094 per year)
2. Cyber security advisor (National average salary: £50,637 per year)
3. Cyber security project manager (National average salary: £64,870 per year)
4. IT manager (National average salary: £45,527 per year)
5. Systems integration engineer (National average salary: £43,932 per year)
6. Information security architect (National average salary: £75,524 per year)
7. Chief information officer (National average salary: £34,656 per year)
8. Security consultant (National average salary: £54,039 per year)
9. Cyber threat intelligence analyst (National average salary: £36,212 per year)
10. Penetration tester (National average salary: £52,294 per year)
Our Experts
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Raja Akram, The University of Aberdeen
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX