More
cyber-technology

Digital Forensics MSc

Study the latest digital forensics principals, practices, tools and techniques on this engaging course and prepare for an exciting career in digital forensics investigation supporting the UK’s criminal justice system.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That’s why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

Gold-standard teaching

Named a gold standard ‘Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education’ by the leading authority on cyber security in the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

NCSC and DSIT_Logo_gold_rev
Learn how DMU research in the field of cyber security benefits from connections within the industry.

Please note that we are not accepting applications to this course for September 2024 entry.

We’re living in a digital age, and while this technology and connectivity gives us so many benefits, it also means hackers and cyberterrorists have more opportunities than ever before to sabotage institutions, businesses, and even individuals. 

This programme is developed in partnership with a range of national and international organisations, including Deloitte UK, Airbus, BT, and Rolls-Royce, ensuring you learn about the issues at the forefront of the sector.

Teaching is delivered by our expert staff at the Cyber Technology Institute, which has been named as an Airbus Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security thanks to its pioneering research in incident response and cyber threat intelligence, industrial control systems and sociotechnical security. 

The main aims of the programme are to:

  • Help students who are new to this field in acquiring the necessary understanding of digital forensics
  • Equip students with the necessary understanding of how digital forensics can be used to provide help in resolving issues in civil and criminal proceedings
  • Prepare students to practice as digital forensics professionals through research methods
  • Enhance the knowledge and skills of the existing practitioners through in-depth research

The MSc digital forensics modules focus on the needs of industry, government agencies and the research interests of our staff. The four taught modules are delivered in semesters 1 and 2 and these are assessed by a variety of assessment methods, such as portfolio, coursework, presentation and viva. After taught modules, students undertake an individual digital forensics-focused research project which requires them to apply their knowledge and skills acquired from the taught modules. Students are given the opportunity of undertaking a one-year placement in industry. There is a dedicated placement unit which supports students in finding a suitable placement.

Key features

  • Study a programme that’s been developed in conjunction with industry experts. Our modules are created with input from Deloitte UK, Airbus, BT, and Rolls-Royce, which allows you to explore and study real-life issues relevant to industry.  

  • Access to our dedicated Cyber Security Centre, which features computer security and forensics laboratories, will give you the opportunity to work in industry standard facilities and allow you to develop and enhance your skills in digital forensics. 

  • You’ll be taught by expert academics from our Cyber Security Centre and Software Technology Research Laboratory, many of whom are recognised leaders in the cyber security domain. 

  • We help our graduates to be prepared for roles such as consultancy, software houses or project management within organisations that are cyber security specialists. This includes areas such as law enforcement, government, commercial IT departments and security consultancies.

  • Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

 

cyber-tech-logos-2018

 

 

 

Scholarships:

DMU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International Scholarships

Find out about available scholarships and country specific fee discounts for international students. 

 

 

NCSC-blueritics-logo-v4

The Cyber Technology Institute is proud to be an Airbus Centre of Excellence in SCADA cyber security and forensics and an invited member of RITICS (Research Institute in Trustworthy Inter-Connected Cyber-Physical Systems), funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

More courses like this:

Computing MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert 

Cyber Security MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

News stories

New partnership between Leicester's unis offers students chance to improve skills for less

Leading experts recognise DMU's cyber security education with Gold award

World-leading cyber security research praised as DMU named Academic Centre of Excellence

 

DMU has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

  • UK
  • EU/International

Programme code: I20079

Location: De Montfort University campus

Start date: September

Duration: One year full time.

Fees and funding:

2024/25 full-time fees: £9,500

 

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Programme code: I20079

Location: De Montfort University campus

Start date: September

Duration: One year full time.

 

Fees and funding:

2024/25 international student full-time fees: £17,600 per year

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

You should have the equivalent of a British Honours degree (2:1 minimum) in a relevant subject.

We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications from anywhere in the world.

If you have no formal academic qualifications but do have extensive industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis.

 

 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Academic expertise

 

Course modules

  • Block 1: Foundations of Digital Forensics
  • Block 2: Artefact Analysis in Digital Forensics
  • Block 3: Enterprise-focused Digital Forensics
  • Block 4: Research & Development in Digital Forensics
  • Block 5 & 6: PGT Project

 

See detailed module descriptions

 

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

 

 

 

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and laboratory work. A strong emphasis is given to real world problems. Assessment is by a combination of coursework, projects, multiple choice and laboratory-based assessments.

 

Contact and learning hours

Students normally attend from 9am - 4.40pm (per module)

MSc Digital Forensics is a full time course delivered on campus in the 7 week block teaching format. MSc Digital Forensics involves practical hands on learning and assessment, in a combination of taught and self-directed laboratory-based sessions. In addition to your normal timetabled hours you will be expected to conduct independent study each week to complete preparation tasks, assessments and research.

 

The programme is managed and delivered through our renowned Cyber Security Centre and Software Technology Research Laboratory.

The course teams within the Cyber Technology Institute have unrivalled expertise in cyber security. The team includes former Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) of large telecommunications companies, internet banks and cloud service providers, an ex-vice president of one of the largest cyber security companies in the world, information assurance specialists with extensive experience working in various UK defence organisations, leading digital forensics experts and respected government advisors. 

 

Several of the team are regular media commentators on forensics and security. Professional input throughout the course will come from Deloitte UK and their cyber security professionals.

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Facilities

The Cyber Security Laboratories are among the best equipped facilities of this type in the UK. Developed in consultation with leaders in the industry, they are designed to meet the highest forensics and security standards.

The laboratories contain high-specification, specially customised PCs configured with multiple operating systems, virtualisation and removable hard drives, as well as specialised servers, wired and wireless networking equipment and a variety of other hardware and software components.

The laboratories are also the base for the university's Cyber Security Centre, a multidisciplinary group of academics and industry experts who focus on a wide variety of cyber security and digital forensics issues. Their mission is to provide to all the benefits a safe, secure and resilient cyberspace.

Cyber Technology Institute

The laboratories are also the base for our Cyber Technology Institute (CTI), a multidisciplinary group of academics and industry experts who focus on a wide variety of cyber security and digital forensics issues. Their mission is to provide the full benefits to all of a safe, secure and resilient cyberspace.

The laboratories play a vital role in the group's research and development work. Whether you are a first year undergraduate or a PhD student, within the laboratories you will be working with the latest tools and techniques at the forefront of computer forensics and security research.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Learning Zone, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
dmu-global-img-01

DMU Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

graduate-careers-img-01

Graduate careers

Graduates are prepared for positions in consultancies, software houses or project management. They are also likely to be employed as cyber security specialists within law enforcement, government or other related agencies, in commercial IT departments or security consultancies, or in other computing positions where cyber security is an issue. Graduates can also undertake further study towards a doctoral or PhD degree.

 

Take your next steps

More from DMU