Cyber Security (specialisation)

Entry requirements

A completed Bachelor's degree in Computing Science or related area

In order to get admission to this Master’s you'll need a completed Bachelor’s degree in Computing Sciences or a related discipline, such as Artificial Intelligence and Mathematics. For the specialisation in Data Science, we also encourage students to apply who have a background in natural sciences, such as Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, with a keen interest in data analytics and proven mathematical and programming skills. In all cases, the Examination Board will consider whether or not you have met the requirements.

A proficiency in English

In order to take part in the programme, you need to have fluency in English, both written and spoken. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:

• TOEFL score of ≥575 (paper based) or ≥90 (internet based)
• IELTS score of ≥6.5
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), with a mark of C or higher

* Applicants are considered to be a native speaker of English if they are from Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Programme overview

Our society relies on ICT to an ever-larger degree, making cyber security a topic of growing importance. The Master’s specialisation in Cyber Security will teach you how to contribute in the design, deployment and analysis of new security systems.

The programme focuses on topics such as as cryptographic codes, operating systems and protocol verification. But you’ll also get a broad scope of cyber security to include mathematical, organisational, legal and ethical aspects, with particular attention for privacy issues.

What will you learn?

• Get a theoretical and technical understanding of current issues in cyber security
• Learn about the societal, legal and ethical implications of cyber security, with a particular attention to privacy issues
• Gain experience in designing, conducting and presenting your own research

Radboud's research in the field

Over the last decade, Radboud University has made a name for itself in this field both in and outside the country. The Digital Security Group revealed security flaws in the chip-card used for public transport smart cards like the London Oyster and the Dutch OV-chipkaart. Researchers of our group also found security vulnerabilities in commonly used car immobiliser systems.

Currently, we’re leading the development of the IRMA card, an ID card that will give users the freedom to only reveal those personal attributes that are needed for a certain purchase, and so better protect their personal data against misuse. Also, our experts are involved in the development of the Networking and Cryptography library (NaCl), a new easy-to-use, high-speed and high-security software library for network communication, encryption, decryption, digital signatures, etc.

Career prospects

Although this Master’s is an excellent stepping-stone for students with ambitions in academic research, most of our graduates work as consultants, managers or researchers for companies that specialise in cyber security or that heavily rely on ICT security.

Graduates from this programme can find jobs in a variety of areas:

• Companies that specialise in cyber security, such as security evaluation labs
• IT security divisions of more general consultancy firms
• Firms that produce security technologies
• Organisations that heavily rely on ICT security, both in the private and public sector. The most common being an organisation in the financial sector.
• Academic research (PhD)
• Industrial research

To apply for this course, please contact us by e-mail.

Learn more via the Radboud University contact form.

Fees and funding

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website.

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,209). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,209). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.