Developer Info

At a glance

• Delivered by academics active in research
• Opportunity to carry out novel research project in an area of your choice
• High quality teaching and excellent learning resources commended by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
• £6 million state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities
• Excellent career prospects in areas including secure networked systems development, network security management, computer crime detection and network security consultancy
  

Course overview

The greatest challenge faced by those undertaking electronic commerce is about how to secure computer systems operating on networks, particularly the Internet. The strong and urgent demand for effective security technologies and the corresponding initiatives are stimulating a fast growth of the computer security technology market.

The overall aim of the programme is to provide you with the opportunity to enhance your career prospects and become network security professionals by gaining additional knowledge and skills in the areas of computer network security and its applications.

You will study the following core modules: Research Methods, Computer Networks, Computer Security, Internetworking, Network Security and Advanced Topics in Network Security.  You will also complete 2 option modules chosen from the following list: Computer Systems Technology, Information Systems Development and Management, Management of e-Business, Software Engineering Technology, Database Design and Technology, Human Computer Interaction, Software Development – JAVA, Mobile Computing, Wireless Networks and Network Forensics. Please note availability of option modules varies depending on student demand.

A major component of the course is the project module. This is an extensive piece of research work in an applications domain relevant to your academic or professional interests. It is intended to provide you with an opportunity to undertake a major investigation and produce a major dissertation on the outcome of the work. Assessment of the project will be based on this dissertation and presentations of the work. The work carried out during the project is expected to have a strong research component and will, in many cases, be appropriate in forming the basis of further academic research - for example a PhD programme.

You will be based in LJMU’s Byrom Street campus, which is engineered to guarantee your success thanks to the investment of £6million in state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities. Our computer laboratories provide access to over 150 high-performance computers, including PC/Linux Workstations and Networked Multimedia PCs for general use, in addition to the campus computing cluster. The teaching rooms are designed to enable the multimedia delivery of teaching materials and demonstrations and the School’s laboratory infrastructure and technical support were commended in a recent professional body accreditation visit.

The campus includes an exclusive Game Technology Lab, a Computer Forensics Lab, two Multimedia Labs, a Distance Learning Lab and specialist labs for our research students in Network Security and Networked Appliances.

Staff at the School are active in research areas including: applied artificial intelligence, distributed multimedia systems and security, information systems development, mathematics education, neural computation and statistics, and computer games.  The research within the school is recognized internationally in the area of Networked Systems and Security, Computer Entertainment, and Neural Networks with funding from EPSRC, BBC, European Union to name a few.   This research drives and informs all programmes taught at the school.

Staff research interests

Research groups work in: Applied Artificial Intelligence; Distributed Multimedia Systems and Security; Information Systems; Computer Games; Mathematics Education and Neural Computation and Statistics. Fields covered include the development of advanced computer-based systems for scheduling, planning, training, and intelligent robot control, computer assisted organisational systems and support, and the effective use of computer technology in student learning.

How will I be assessed?

Each module's final mark is normally derived from a combination of coursework and end of semester written examination. Some modules may not have one of the assessment components and be assessed solely by coursework or exam.

What do past and present students say about the course?

 “The core modules are highly relevant and help understand prevailing and up-to-date technologies available in this area of study.  Module delivery has been very interactive, enhancing better understanding of subject areas.”

Quote from Board of Study meeting.

Other related courses

MSc Advanced Computer Studies, MSc Computer Animation and Visualisation, MSc Computer Forensics, MSc Computer Games Technology, MSc Computing and Information Systems, MSc Web Computing, MSc Wireless and Mobile Computing.

Entry requirements

An Honours degree in Computing or a Computing-related subject, including subjects with a significant core of computing, or a professional qualification with equivalent standing.

Non-UK applicants will be expected to have demonstrated competence in English language equivalent to a minimum of IELTS 6.0.  Applicants who have studied and successfully achieved a UK degree within 24 months of the start of the MSc are exempt from this requirement.

Will I be interviewed?

Fees information

Please contact the Faculty of Technology and Environment for up to date information regarding fees. The Faculty can be contacted by email at taeadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk or telephone 0151 231 2777.

Financial support

Securing funding is one of the main hurdles you may have to face when considering Postgraduate study. However there is help available and you may be able to apply for funding from the sources below.

Loans

This will normally be from a bank. The most popular of these is a Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL). These loans are from £300 to £10,000 in value and can be used to cover up to 80% of your course fees. Further Information from www.direct.gov.uk and look for PCDL

Charities and Trusts

Trusts and charities can offer assistance to some students. Eligibility for these trusts and charities vary enormously. Your local library will have a section of books and directories of grant making trusts.

Research Councils

Research councils may provide support for recognised postgraduate courses. Their websites offers useful information regarding the support and funding opportunities on offer. Competition for this type of funding can be very strong. For more information about Research Councils visit: www.rcuk.ac.uk

Statutory funding

You need to be aware that most PG courses do not attract statutory funding. The ones that do attract statutory support (grants and/or loans) that we offer at LJMU are:

• PGCE courses , for more information please vist www.directgov.co.uk and www.tda.gov.uk
• MA social work for which an NHS bursary is payable to some students. For more information please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
• PG dip in Architecture

Advice and support at LJMU

LJMU offers a Postgraduate bursary of £500 to students who go from an undergraduate course to study a taught PG course. For further information and eligibility see http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/feesandfunding/117585.htm

LJMU employs a team of staff that are experts in fees and funding who can offer advice based upon your personal circumstances. You can contact them on 0151 904 6056/6057, or email studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk for guidance and support.

How to apply

Please apply via the online application form

LJMU's Admissions policy is in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy and applications are welcome from all candidates who fulfil the entry criteria. The university has a commitment to equality of opportunity and welcomes application from everyone regardless of age, disability, race or sex. The University is committed to widening participation and therefore will actively consider applicants who do not have a relevant degree but who are able to provide satisfactory evidence of their knowledge in the area. All applicants will be considered by the Recruitment and Selection Panel, if shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend for an interview.

International students

LJMU offers an extensive support system through its international office and study centre. An equivalence to the normal entry requirements is needed for entry. Students must also demonstrate a proficiency in communicating through English, for example with an IELTS tests or equivalent. Please note that because of UK visa restrictions, International students are only permitted to study on a full-time basis. Please contact LJMU’s International Team by visiting www.ljmu.ac.uk/international for more information and advice.

Further information

Please contact the Faculty of Technology and Environment on:

tel: 0151 231 2777
fax: 0151 231 2879
email: taeadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

If you have any queries relating to LJMU or university life in general please contact:

Course Enquiries
Tel: +44(0)151 231 5090
Email: courses@ljmu.ac.uk
Web: www.ljmu.ac.uk

Employment and careers

This course offers more than an education in your chosen specialist subject. It also enhances your transferable skills, such as IT, problem solving, report writing, giving presentations and working in teams. These skills allow you to operate effectively in an ever changing world of work and are highly regarded by employers.

Graduates can expect career opportunities in a number of areas including secure networked systems development , secure electronic/mobile commerce applications development, secure middleware development, networked systems security evaluation, trusted internet service providers, network security management, computer crime detection, mobile devices protection, network security consultancy, or further research by PhD.

As a postgraduate student you will be able to take full advantage of the extensive range of advice and guidance available in our World of Work Careers Centre, including our Ready for Work training courses, which cover everything from interview skills to preparing for assessment centre tests.

LJMU also has a dedicated Centre for Entrepreneurship, offering business advice and start-up funding, to students and graduates interested in setting up their own companies or working freelance.

Our World of Work Programme – endorsed by FTSE 100 companies and leading business organisations – offers you the chance to get an additional certificate proving to potential employers that you have the skills and experience they are looking for. No other university in the UK or internationally, offers students the chance to develop these skills and organisations backing the scheme include the Confederation of British Industry, United Utilities, Sony, Siemens, Peugeot Citroen and Marks and Spencer.

LJMU offers a superb environment for postgraduate study and top level research.

Whether you are studying on a taught master's course or embarking on a research degree, LJMU offers you a supportive, flexible academic environment, well-structured programmes and round-the-clock access to extensive resources.

Our research environment is rated as 'world-leading' in a majority of our subjects and all of our postgraduate programmes are taught by academics actively involved in research or consultancy projects with business and industry.

It is this combination of academic expertise and 'real world' experience that ensures LJMU's courses have real currency with potential employers and why over 95% of our postgraduates are in work or further study six months after they graduate (HESA 2010).

We believe this expertise – coupled with world-class academic standards – 75% of LJMU's research is rated as internationally important – puts us in a league of our own.

To find out more about our postgraduate courses and research opportunities plus the range of facilities and support we offer, click on the links opposite.

Why Liverpool?

Liverpool is a fantastic student city, bursting with opportunities and lots of things to do: a legendary music scene that's bigger than just the Beatles, a city centre bursting with clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes. Plus award-winning shopping facilities, museums, galleries and theatres, not to mention two Premier League football clubs, golf courses, beautiful parks and outstanding countryside a few miles up the motorway.

The city recently won Trip Advisor’s Best Nightlife Destination Award 2011, beating Manchester, London, Glasgow and Brighton. The city has also achieved Purple Flag accreditation, commending Liverpool as a safe place to enjoy a night out.

Liverpool is also a city that is very supportive of all the students who live, work and study in its universities. With such a warm and hospitable culture – Liverpool is the perfect 24-hour student city.