Rapid development in technology has spread over the world. Due to breakthroughs in technology, modern business practices have also shifted to a digital format. Because of the rising digitalization of society, there is a greater need to protect sensitive data, software, and networks.
However, there are not enough skilled cybersecurity specialists to meet the growing demand for their services. In this aspect, the United Kingdom has built itself as a premier cyber economy, with a thriving digital industry and an academic and new business atmosphere that leads the world.
According to recent stats, in 2023, the IT industry is expected to have added over £150 billion to the UK economic growth, making it among the country’s major revenue-generating successes. Because of the importance of data security, businesses in the UK are increasingly turning to cybersecurity professionals. The universities in the UK are offering outstanding cybersecurity programs.
Therefore, overseas students may benefit from acquiring a degree in cybersecurity from top-tier UK universities that will equip them for high-paying positions, some of which are mentioned in this article. If you are looking to kickstart a career in cybersecurity, have a look at this exclusive list of top cybersecurity schools in the UK.
Is Cyber Security in Demand in the United Kingdom?
Yes. There has been a shift toward digital commerce in the United Kingdom. Opportunities for international students are thriving in the UK, and British universities are among the most scholarship-giving in the world. Regarding cybersecurity, in 2016, the UK government announced a cybersecurity plan, as per which The UK Cybersecurity Council was established.
It represented the sector at large, raising public awareness about cybersecurity issues and encouraging professionals to reach their full potential. Due to this, the average salary of cybersecurity professionals in the UK has grown by 40%. Many universities such as the University of Edinburgh and University College London as offering Advanced Cybersecurity programs for UK and international students. So to say, this profession is high in demand in the UK would not be an understatement.
Top Cyber Security Schools in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is home to some of the world’s finest educational institutions, and its universities are renowned for their advanced research and forward-thinking cybersecurity programs. We highly suggest the following prestigious UK universities to pursue a cybersecurity degree:
1. University of Edinburgh
Boasting a profound historical legacy, renowned graduates, and esteemed academics, this venerable institution has ample reasons to take pride in its longstanding prominence as a globally recognized university across numerous centuries. From opening its doors in 1583, the University of Edinburgh has influenced history with 19 Nobel laureates, Olympic winners, astronauts, and prime ministers.
Edinburgh ranks 15th in the 2023 QS World University Rankings, offering several notable programs for international students. Foreign students pursuing an M.Sc. in Cybersecurity at the University of Edinburgh will get a comprehensive understanding of security-related risk and the methods for mitigating it. They will also be able to show their knowledge of the whole process of designing a secure application through supervised system development activities.
Two semesters make up the one-year degree’s 7 months of classroom time. They also have a four-month final dissertation. These allow students to learn theoretical concepts via lectures, tutorials, and small-group laboratories.
They have the opportunity to earn 120 semester hours of course credit this academic year. The tuition fee deposit for this program is £1,500 for a full Master’s program.
They also offer a Ph.D. in Cybersecurity, in which they’ll collaborate with supervisors to conduct independent research and make an innovative contribution to the field. It is a three-year course and has a total fee of £29,700.00 for International students. They also offer various Scholarships to aid students with financial constraints.
2. University College London
Second on our list is University College London, with a stark research reputation worldwide along with being the first university to accept students from every religion. It is proud to have created 30 Nobel Laureates. With a QS World University Rankings 2023 position of #8 worldwide and #5 in Europe, University College London (UCL) offers foreign students the exceptional chance to study at one of the world’s finest educational institutions.
Being among the best universities in the UK with quality cybersecurity programs, UCL sponsors RISCS and serves as a UK Scientific Unit of Innovation in Cybersecurity. The research group is directed by UCL Computer Science, which was rated #1 in England and #2 in the UK in the latest Research Excellence Framework.
Their Cybersecurity M Phil/Ph.D. is designed for students with an aptitude for or experience in the field who are interested in doing interdisciplinary research. It is to address pressing social challenges and uncover novel approaches to their solutions. It’s ideal for those at the beginning or middle of their careers as professionals, in addition to recent Masters grads.
The tuition fee for international students of this M. Phil/Ph.D. is £29,000 Full-time and £14,500 Part-Time. To aid with the tuition waivers and get a stipend, they also offer a number of grants and scholarship programs for international students.
3. King’s College London
Next institute’s unique academic programs and outstanding research are renowned worldwide. King’s College London is placed 37th in QS World Ranking 2023. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings place King’s College in the top 100. It also boasts 14 Nobel Laureates in education and a Master’s in Cybersecurity.
The NCSC has officially approved the course. Students will get the opportunity to learn from and network with top researchers in the fields of Algorithms and Data Analysis, Cybersecurity, Human-Centered Computing, and Software Systems. They will do independent research on cybersecurity while being mentored by industry professionals.
The annual tuition for non-EU students is £31,080. Both superior academic performance in the Bachelor’s degree and an adequate command of the English language are prerequisites for participation in this program. King’s Foundations also gives out a £2,000 annual prize to up to ten students who enroll in the King’s International Foundation Program at King’s College, London.
4. University of Bristol
With 104,542 research articles to its name, the University of Bristol is among the top research institutions in the world and among the best cybersecurity schools in the United Kingdom. Bristol University, regarded as the most prestigious in the UK, is placed 61st in the globe by the QS Rankings, 2023. Its researchers have produced groundbreaking discoveries in fields as diverse as preventing infant mortality and nanotechnology.
Their Master of Science in Cybersecurity program trains students to use theoretical and practical security expertise to analyze actual networks or infrastructure and spot vulnerabilities and countermeasures;
Core courses for the M.Sc. include “Foundations,” “Network Security,” and “System Security Fundamentals,” each worth 20 credits. Securing Industrial Control Systems, Internet of Things, and Industrial IoT (also 30 credits). The total fee of this program is £28,300 per year for overseas students.
To enter this program, you need to have a bachelor’s degree with a high-grade point average (GPA) and programming experience in engineering or a related field, as well as pass an English language exam. They have committed £3 million to Think Big scholarships to provide financial assistance to overseas students who want to attend Bristol University in 2023.
They also have a 4-year Ph.D. course which gives students the chance to participate in an integrative group of researchers and get education from specialists gathered from institutions, businesses, and other research partners. The first year involves advanced teachings, while years 2 – 4 involve research-based practice.
5. University of Southampton
Our last recommendation is the University of Southampton, which holds the 81st position worldwide and the 12th spot in the United Kingdom. Students from across the world may take advantage of their master’s program in cybersecurity at the University of Southampton.
With complete accreditation against the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) Certified Master’s level, this program is one of just 25 M.Sc. Cybersecurity courses in the UK to achieve such a distinction.
Based on their own findings, their researchers have developed courses covering areas including network and web-based security, software security, encryption, criminology, risk management, and machine learning. It’s a one-year course with an annual tuition fee of £29,512.
Cybersecurity is a growing need for businesses and several other sectors, thus it is a highly valued profession. The UK is brimming with universities that offer advanced programs in Cybersecurity as highlighted above.
We hope that this article with the list of our five best Cybersecurity Schools in the United Kingdom was of maximum help to you. Feel free to also check out the UK Scholarships Page for more information about studying in the UK!
