A new Master’s programme, MSc Cyber Security, run by the School of Computing has been officially certified by GCHQ, as the National Technical Authority for Information Assurance.

Dr Eerke Boiten met Ciaran Martin, GCHQ Director Cybersecurity at the Houses of Parliament as the official announcement was made this week.

This is the third time that GCHQ has awarded certification of Master’s degrees in Cyber Security, and brings the current total to 18 certified Master’s degrees from 14 universities.

Applications for certification were assessed by a panel of expert advisors drawn from across industry, academia and government. The successful universities all had to meet the rigorous assessment criteria which demand a well-defined and appropriate degree content, delivered to the highest standard.

With the UK being one of the most advanced digital economies in the world, GCHQ-certified Master’s degrees help employers to recruit skilled staff, and develop the cyber skills of existing employees, in order to help make the UK one of the most secure places to do business in cyberspace and resilient to cyber attack. GCHQ certification also helps universities to attract high-quality students from around the world, and prospective students to make better-informed choices when looking for a highly valued qualification.