​Welcome to Canterbury Christ Church University! We're pleased you've chosen to join our vibrant community. This exciting new chapter brings many questions, and we're here to help. Review the information we've provided, and if you have any further enquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to a long and enriching journey together at CCCU!

Ahmad Musa
Course Director

Your Teaching Timetable

Teaching for your course will begin w.c 21 September 2026.

To help you plan your first few weeks, you can view an overview of the teaching activities for your course.

View your first trimester teaching timetable

On a mobile device, click the arrow next to “Search” at the top right of the page to view your timetable.

If your course is taught in groups, the overview will show activities for all groups. You will only need to attend sessions for your allocated group.

Once teaching begins, your individual timetable and group allocation will be available in MyTimetable provided you have completed online registration and created your computing account.

*We are aware of a timetable clash affecting modules on this course and are currently working to resolve it. Please check the teaching timetable link provided periodically for updates

Your Trimester 1 Modules

Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Cryptography

Information Security Management

Network Security

Key dates

Academic Calendar: Trimesters [15 Week]

View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2026-27 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.

Welcome

​Welcome to your MSc Cybersecurity programme at Canterbury Christ Church University! Welcome Week marks the official start of your postgraduate journey and is a key opportunity to settle into university life, meet your cohort, and familiarise yourself with the course structure, expectations, and support available to you.

​Attendance during Welcome Week is essential. It's when you'll receive vital information about module content, assessment timelines, the virtual learning environment, library and IT resources, and academic conduct expectations specific to a technical, fast-moving field like cybersecurity. Missing this introduction can leave gaps in your understanding of how the course is run and where to find help when you need it.

​Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT)

​During Welcome Week, you'll also be introduced to your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). Your PAT is your primary point of contact throughout your studies — a member of academic staff who supports your academic development, helps you navigate challenges (whether study-related or personal), and signposts you to wider university support services when needed. Regular meetings with your PAT are a valuable opportunity to reflect on your progress, discuss career aspirations within cybersecurity, and address any concerns early.

Getting started

​​his exciting course is designed to foster collaboration and address real-world needs in the field of cybersecurity. We welcome students from various Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) backgrounds, regardless of prior Computer Science experience.

​You'll have the opportunity to learn alongside a diverse group of classmates, each bringing unique perspectives and strengths to the table.

​The course is divided into three distinct trimesters, each offering a unique focus.

​Spring Trimester: Embracing the School's core teaching philosophy, this trimester emphasizes project-based learning. You'll work collaboratively on projects that tackle current challenges in cybersecurity, gaining valuable problem-solving skills.

​Summer Trimester: For fulltime students, this trimester will be used for the MSc project and dissertation. You'll have the chance to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

​Autumn Trimester: This trimester explores into the core concepts of computer security and cryptography. You'll explore various modules related to digital security, solidifying your foundational knowledge.

​You will need to attend the Canterbury campus of Canterbury Christ Church University three to four days a week to attend timetabled classes. The timetable will be given to you when it is finalised. There may be instances outside of scheduled classes where you'll collaborate with peers, either face-to-face or remotely using online tools. Please be prepared to be able to arrive in plenty of time and note there may be 9 am classes.

​It is recommended that you have your own computer. Otherwise, there are laptops and PCs on campus that are available to use to do your coursework.

​Useful resources

​You may find it useful to explore the following resources prior to starting the MSc:

​Programming in Python using either:

​or

​or if you want to have some fun playing with Python these resources from the Raspberry Pi foundation are designed to be enjoyable, they are aimed at absolute beginners.

​Cybersecurity Basics

​Additional information

​We recommend you do not buy any particular software as much of the software you will need over your degree will be available to you for free or at a much-reduced price once you start.

​Having your own computer will be a valuable asset throughout your course. It allows you the flexibility to complete assignments on your own schedule and participate actively in any online classes you might have. While we can't recommend specific brands or models, we encourage you to do your research online. User reviews can be a great resource to explore different computer options and find the features and specifications that best suit your needs and budget.

​As a computing student, there are some baseline specifications to keep in mind. Your computer should meet the minimum requirements for your chosen operating system, such as Windows 11. We also recommend aiming for at least the recommended specification for Visual Studio Professional.

​This will ensure your computer can handle the software you'll use for your studies and provide some buffer for future software updates. Consider opting for a larger hard drive, with a minimum of 256GB recommended.

​This is especially important if you plan to use a solid-state drive (SSD) as they typically have less storage space compared to traditional hard drives. The additional space will allow you to install other software programs you may need throughout your studies.

​Our suite of Computing courses primarily uses Windows. If you choose an Apple computer (Mac), we recommend opting for a dual boot system that allows you to run both Windows and macOS. Students with Linux-only systems may find it necessary to install Windows at a later date, which can be more expensive than purchasing a computer with Windows pre-installed.

​Some additional hardware can enhance your learning experience. A webcam, headphones, and even a second monitor (optional) are all helpful tools for online learning and communication. If you opt for a laptop, consider using a mouse and a full-sized keyboard for better ergonomics, especially during extended periods of study.

​Finally, a reliable internet connection is crucial for online learning. Be aware that switching internet providers might take longer than usual at the moment, so plan accordingly.

​We hope this information helps you in selecting the right computer for your studies. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to support a smooth transition into your computing program at CCCU.​

Your Must Do Tasks

Once you have been invited to register for your course, there are some key tasks you'll need to complete to make sure you are ready to become a CCCU student. 

Registration invitations are sent towards the end of August. We'll send yours to the email address you used when you applied, so please check this inbox regularly to make sure you don't miss any important information.

Pre-course reading

​​There is no particular reading we want you to do before you arrive, but it may be worth looking at the Technology pages of online news sources to see the common areas that are being talked about in the field of computing and business.

​We suggest the following sites:

​These are worth looking at once or twice a week if you are not accustomed to reading current affairs articles.

​On current Cybersecurity issues, highlighting the importance of this course you can view these –

International student success programme

International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.

Contact details

Have a question?

Student Zone is here to help you make the most of your CCCU experience.

Email - studentzone@canterbury.ac.uk

Telephone - 01227 922222 (10am-2pm)