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!
Dr Ahmad Musa
Course Director
Academic Calendar: Trimesters
View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2024-25 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.
Your Welcome Week is an essential introduction to your course and student life at CCCU, helping you to feel confident and prepared for your studies right from the very start.
UniTimetables provides an overview of all teaching activities on a course. Your individual timetable will be available via MyTimetable and is personalised to show you what modules and groups you are expected to attend.
Your individual student timetable can only be produced once you have engaged with online registration and created your computing account. It is essential you complete these tasks when invited, so that your course team can assign you to your teaching activities and publish your individual timetable.
Find out more about all aspects of timetabling for new students including user guides.
This 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.
Depending on your existing knowledge and expertise, we are excited to announce our partnership with The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) to offer a free Certificate of Cybersecurity in 2024. This certificate presents a valuable opportunity for early career professionals seeking to enhance their credentials in Cybersecurity. If you are interested in pursuing this relevant certification, please contact the course director for further information. You can find more details about the certification and exam outline on the ISC2 site.
The course is divided into three distinct trimesters, each offering a unique focus.
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.
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.
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 10. 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.
The Department of Computing 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.
On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!
We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do. Take a look at the Community pages and the CCSU website for further details of what’s on and how to get involved.
If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.
We look forward to seeing you at your welcome session during welcome week (w.c. 20th January 2025). Details of this will be found in your Welcome schedule. Teaching then starts the following week. Visit the Welcome Hub to find everything you need as a new postgraduate student.
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 –
You may also wish to keep track of what we are doing in the Department by following us on our Faculty Instagram pages and X
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.