MSc Graduate Apprenticeship Cyber Security

Overview

Develop industry-standard, government-certified cyber security expertise

Our fully funded MSc Cyber Security Graduate Apprenticeship is fully certified by GCHQ's National Cyber Security Centre which provides businesses with confidence that both the course content and teaching meet the rigorous industry standards for cyber security in the UK. Our programme was the first Masters Apprenticeship degree in Scotland to achieve this status. Graduates of this course will be equipped with the skills needed to ensure that your business is secure by design.

This is a master's-level qualification designed to equip successful candidates with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the increasingly complex field of cyber security. The course content is developed in line with the shifting demands of the cyber security sector and evolving government standards to strengthen your business's cyber defence. GCU provides high-quality tuition and support that will prepare apprentices to effectively tackle the cyber security challenges your business will inevitably face.

Our innovative graduate apprenticeship helps employers recruit new talent and upskill existing staff wishing to study towards a Masters degree qualification. Our MSc Cyber Security apprentices are drawn from a variety of cyber and technical roles such as IT/Infrastructure support, software development, network engineer, security analyst, cyber security consultant and information security specialist.

Applicants must be living and working in Scotland in the same field as the graduate apprenticeship course they are applying to, if you are not employed yet, visit Skills Development Scotland to explore relevant vacancies.

Build a business that is secure by design

With the rapid evolution of the digital landscape, cyber threats have emerged as a growing concern of utmost importance, presenting substantial risks to organisations worldwide. It is therefore essential that businesses prioritise robust cyber security measures in order to mitigate these risks and safeguard their operations. Unlike more traditional academic routes, this course prioritises practical expertise with a primary focus on safeguarding computer equipment, information, and services against unauthorized access, alterations, or destruction. The MSc Graduate Apprenticeship is specifically designed to equip apprentices with the practical skills required to identify weaknesses, respond to cyber-security breaches, secure infrastructure and protect your business from potential threats.
Apprentices will gain a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations behind computer attacks and acquire the specialised skills necessary to effectively prevent and counteract them. This includes the ability to plan and carry out a variety of security testing strategies on IT infrastructures; research, analyse and evaluate technical threat intelligence to reduce cyber security threats and vulnerabilities; troubleshoot issues arising from vulnerability scanning and design cost-effective mitigations comprising careful combinations of technical, procedural and administrative controls.
Through engagement with sector bodies, industry partners and our Industry Advisory Panel, our programme evolves to ensure apprentices will be equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge as well as the ability to apply their learning to protect your business both during and after the completion of the course.

The power of a cyber security graduate apprenticeship

A master's-level graduate apprenticeship in cyber security offers benefits for both employees and apprentices. Employers can utilise the MSc Cyber Security course to nurture talent within their organisations and create a safe environment for their businesses to thrive. Our apprenticeships bridge the gap between academia and practical application, equipping apprentices with hands-on experience and real-world context to support their learning.

By choosing to upskill your workforce, you'll create a dynamic team that can embrace emerging technologies securely and foster an environment for your business that is secure by design. By supporting apprentices through the programme, employers can tailor their development to tackle challenges unique to their business. For apprentices, the apprenticeship provides invaluable practical experience, allowing them to enhance their existing IT skills, stand out in their professional journey and obtain a specialised master's-level qualification in the booming cyber security field.

To take a deeper dive into the benefits of a Graduate Apprenticeship at GCU please visit our FAQs below and our Guide to Graduate Apprenticeships. Additionally, our portfolio of Case Studies offers a compelling first-hand account of the experiences of our apprentices and their respective employers.

Determining the right cybersecurity solution for your business

In addition to our specialised MSc Cyber Security Apprenticeship, we also offer a BSc (Hons) course. While both the BSc and MSc courses cover some overlapping content, the slower pace of the BSc course is suited to junior staff or new starts within a team.

The MSc Cyber Security Graduate Apprenticeship is suited to:

Existing technical staff who have taken on Cyber Security responsibilities and would benefit from a deeper understanding of the area through a recognised qualification.
Cyber Security staff who would benefit from a broader knowledge of the area beyond their current role and technical niche.
Those in Cyber Security management roles who need a technical knowledge of the roles within their team and can commit the study time needed to master the technologies involved.
Professionals who would like to enhance their eligibility for senior roles through a relevant Masters Degree.

The best approach to cyber security will be unique to your business operations and your team's unique skill set - if you wish to discuss this in more detail please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.

All Apprenticeships are fully funded by the Scottish Funding Council. Applicants will also need to complete a SAAS Graduate Apprenticeship application form. The course team will review the skills, knowledge, academic qualifications and experience of all applicants, which will all be used to inform the level of the apprenticeship candidates will begin their education.

Accreditations

The Chartered Institute for IT

arrow_forward

What you
will study

Course
Information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Blended Learning	2 Years	Sep 25	Glasgow	Enquire

All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Standard entry requirements

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university or equivalent which contains a substantial computing or information and communications technology component.

All applicants must be working in full-time employment in a role commensurate to the programme of study. Applicants should also have the support of their employer.

Foundation Apprenticeships

We accept selected Foundation Apprenticeships, in combination with SQA Highers, for entry to our degree programmes. Your Foundation Apprenticeship will take the place of one SQA Higher qualification for our standard entry requirements and will be treated as equivalent to a B grade at Higher.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

For applicants with prior work experience and professional qualifications, there is a possibility to be considered through the university’s flexible entry system through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

This process allows prospective graduate apprentices to claim credit(s) against previously assessed and certificated learning, including informal learning, to be considered and recognised for academic purposes and credit within their course.

Advanced entry may also be granted through RPL. Skills, knowledge, academic qualifications and experience will all be used to inform which year of the degree you will enter into.

Additional requirements

Candidates must be employed in the same field as the course of study and must supply a supporting letter from their employer as part of the admissions process.

You must be living and working in Scotland in the same field as the Graduate Apprenticeship course you are applying to.

Assessment methods

A Graduate Apprenticeship is a work-based degree course, where learning is applied and assessed in the workplace. You will be responsible for your own learning and assessment but supported by workplace mentors.

The course is delivered via blended learning, (online and face to face). All reading material, tutor discussions, assignment setting, marking and feedback, timelines and key dates are located online in the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), GCU Learn. You will also have access to the University’s award-winning library.

In the final year of the course, you will work with your mentor and employer to identify a suitable work based project which will form part of the assessment for honours level study.

The application process

Complete GCU online application - you should ensure a complete application includes a letter of support from your employer, your highest education certificate and proof of residency where applicable
Your GCU application will be reviewed by the programme leader and you will receive a decision letter by email along with SAAS application instruction and an SDS learner registration form
You should complete your SAAS application and return SAAS funding confirmation and your SDS learner registration form to us by email
Finally, you will receive a registry request which can be completed via the GCU portal

Previous study

Candidates will also qualify for GA funding even if they hold a degree or master level qualification, as long as it’s not in the same subject area.

For example, someone who holds a degree in Business Management can still apply for a Graduate Apprenticeship in Software Development.

Compliance documentation

All new graduate apprentices are required to complete an SDS learner registration and an equality form. This is completed by the apprentice and signed by the apprentice and their employer before returning to the GCU GA team.

After completion of each academic year, apprentices are required to complete an SDS progress review form. This form will be sent out by GCU.

Eligibility

Anyone can become a graduate apprentice as long as they meet the following criteria:

Have the support of their employer
Have a workplace mentor, assigned by the employer
Are working in the same field as the Graduate Apprenticeship course they are applying to.
Living and Working in Scotland*
*To meet residency conditions, apprentices must have settled status and, for the three years immediately before the start of your course, been living in:

The United Kingdom (UK).
The Channel Islands.
The Isle of Man.

Apprentices must also be living (ordinarily resident) in Scotland on the day their course starts. Where ‘ordinarily resident’ means to have 'habitual and normal residence in one place'. The Scottish Government expects someone who is ordinarily resident in Scotland to have made their home in Scotland with the intention of staying and living here, and not just to undertake the apprenticeship programme.

Professional accreditation

GCU’s School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment is an accredited Cisco Academy.

Why GCU?

This Graduate Apprenticeship provides a career-orientated learning experience from a school that is an approved provider of professional certification for, amongst others Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle and 7Safe.

You will have access to the best suite of network and security engineering labs in Scotland, and possibly the UK, providing an unmatched hands-on learning experience.

Work based learning

Graduate Apprenticeships are co-designed by GCU and industry partners. GCU invites a diverse range of guest lecturers - dependent on relevant subject areas, current industry news and course needs - to share their expertise in every subject area.

Graduate success

This Apprenticeship will prepare you for senior technical roles, leading service design, delivery and policy and either contributing to or designing strategy as leading experts within the business. You will likely be playing a significant role in risk identification and mitigation at strategic and operational level, or be budget holders or responsible for informing budget decisions within the context of cost-effective security by design and risk mitigation.

Find out more

Business