We’ve compiled this list of FAQs to answer questions about online study, our degrees, financing your studies, the application process, and more.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for on this page or on our course pages, please get in touch with our team.
An online degree from a recognised university is a degree like any other. Upon graduation, you’ll gain a recognised academic qualification just as you would from an on-campus degree programme.
The difference is that all classes and workshops are delivered entirely online without the need to attend in-person.
Our online degree programmes at Northumbria University London are delivered through a blend of online and distance learning methods. This approach provides the same benefits as in-person degree programmes, but with the flexibility and freedom of distance learning. You benefit from less added costs like travelling to campus or securing accommodation nearby.
The terms ‘distance learning’ and ‘online learning’ are often used interchangeably. However, there are some differences between the two:
Online learning
Distance learning
If the degree is offered by an accredited institution or provider, like Northumbria University, then online degrees are recognised degrees.
An online Masters degree from Northumbria University London is a recognised degree. Our online course content is virtually the same as our in-person content. The only differences are minor variations to enable them to be delivered online. You graduate with the same skills and knowledge as those who study on campus.
Our MSc Cyber Security (Online) degree has the same certification from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC, part of GCHQ) as our in-person version. This marks it as one of the best cyber security degrees in the UK.
Studying an online programme with Northumbria University London offers a range of benefits, including:
All programmes at Northumbria University London, including our online degrees, are career-focused. We’ve designed them to provide you with the skills and knowledge to help you start or advance your career.
Every postgraduate degree we offer has been developed in collaboration with leading industry partners and professionals. This ensures that we deliver industry-related training, to help you gain the skills that employers are actively recruiting for.
Northumbria University is rated Gold for Student Outcomes (Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), 2023), emphasising the importance we place on career-focused study.
Yes, you are welcome to visit the Northumbria University London campus during your studies. In fact, we encourage you to visit our campus if you can – we’d love to meet you in person!
We hold some in-person sessions at our London campus for online students, which are completely optional. They are a great way to see and experience the campus.
Our London campus is located at 110-114 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7HT. We are just a short walk from London Liverpool Street train station.
We offer a range of intakes, giving you the opportunity to start your degree when it suits you.
Simply select which intake* you want to apply for during the application process.
*Intake dates may vary, please refer to specific course pages for up-to-date information.
As an online student at Northumbria University London, you’ll have access to a range of academic support services. These services can help you transition to university level study or if you’re returning to studies after a long time. Learn more about the support services available to you.
Don’t worry if you don’t have an undergraduate degree or have never been a university student before. We accept professional qualifications and work experience*. If you can demonstrate that you can fulfil the objectives of your chosen degree, your application will be considered.
*Please note that requests for non-standard entry to our online programmes are considered on an individual basis by Programme Leaders and relevant module tutors where appropriate.
Please note that delivery and assessment methods may vary by course and subject. Please refer to the course page of the degree you wish to study for more information.
Our online degree programmes are designed to be studied part-time and take two years to complete, allowing you to fit your studies around existing commitments.
We currently offer two online postgraduate degrees: MSc Cyber Security (Online) and MSc Cyber Security Technology (Online). As we increase our portfolio of online degree programmes, we will add more subject specific information within this section of our FAQs page.
Northumbria University London’s cyber security Masters degrees are recognised as some of the best cyber security courses in the UK.
Our MSc Cyber Security has received full certification from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which forms part of GCHQ.
Northumbria University has also been recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) by the NCSC and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Our cyber security degrees are developed with input from cyber security experts, professional bodies, and industry partners. This ensures that you graduate with the skills and knowledge to help you succeed in the cyber security industry.
Our cyber security Masters degrees are designed to help you start or advance your cyber security career. Our aim is to equip you with the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. Which online degree you should choose will depend on your experience and qualifications.
Our NCSC-Certified MSc Cyber Security (Online) degree is designed for working professionals with cyber security experience. If you work in cyber security or have a degree/qualification(s) in cyber security or a related subject, this is likely to be the best option for you.
Our MSc Cyber Security Technology (Online) degree is best suited for students with no prior work or educational experience in cyber security. If you’re interested in starting a career in cyber security, or enhancing your knowledge in the field, but don’t have the technical expertise required for our MSc Cyber Security degree, this would be the best option for you.
You’ll find more information about both courses and their entry requirements on the course pages.
You can apply for any of our degrees directly from the course pages:
The Finance Team at Northumbria University London are available to online students and can provide valuable advice whilst studying with us.
You can contact them through the student portal to make an appointment to speak with them.
UK-based students may be able to apply for financial assistance in the form of a scholarship, bursary, or grant from external awarding bodies, such as UK government funding. You can check your eligibility using resources like The Scholarship Hub or Prospects.
You may also be eligible to apply for a postgraduate loan.
If you’re ready to apply and would like to discuss your funding options, please contact us and one of our team will be happy to help.
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, desposits and payment deadlines for our online degree programmes, please refer to the course page of your degree of choice or our Finance page.
We offer a secure and convenient way to pay using Pay Online with Flywire – a fast and secure payment experience.
To secure your place on one of our online degree courses, you’ll need to pay a deposit towards your tuition fees. Details of the cost of your chosen degree can be found on the relevant course page.
View our finance section to find more information on how to pay for your online degree.
If you are funding your studies yourself, we offer the option to spread the cost of your degree by paying in instalments.
Find out more about instalment plans in our Finance section.
Entry requirements are specific to each of our online courses.
For more information about the entry requirements for a specific course, please select your degree of choice from our list of available online degrees.
Choose my degree:
Whilst an undergraduate degree is one way to meet the entry requirements for our range of online postgraduate degrees, it is not the only option. We may also consider a variety of non-standard entry requirements for acceptance onto our programmes, such as:
Please note that requests for non-standard entry to our online programmes are considered on an individual basis by Programme Leaders and relevant module tutors where appropriate.
For students based in the UK and EU, you will need to provide:
Yes, you can apply for multiple online degrees.
However, you will need to write and submit a unique personal statement for each online programme, explaining why you are applying for that course.
Once you have decided which course you wish to proceed with, you can continue the application process as normal and either ask us to withdraw an application(s) for another course(s) or we will automatically withdraw incomplete applications after the deadline has passed. If an application for one of our distance learning degrees is withdrawn, you will be notified of this by email.
If you’ve already applied to study an online degree at Northumbria University London but would like to defer your entry to the next intake, don’t worry. All you need to do is complete a deferral form, which you can request from your admissions officer.
Please note that deferrals are dealt with on an individual basis and you may be asked to update your personal statement explaining the reason(s) for your deferral.
We know how frustrating it can be to wait for results, which is why we aim to let applicants know if they have been offered a place on one of our online programmes as soon as possible.
Once your application has been assessed and meets the requirements of your chosen online degree programme, we will email your offer to you.
You can also check your applicant portal at any time for important information.
To help us process your application as quickly as possible, please ensure that you provide everything that has been requested as part of the application process. This includes providing certified translations of any non-English qualifications and ensuring all copies of documents are clearly legible.
If your application to study your chosen online degree is unsuccessful, you will be notified via email by our Admissions Team. They will explain the reasons why your application could not be accepted at this time.
To give your application the best possible chance of success, please carefully check the entry requirements for your course and ensure that you meet the criteria before applying.
If your application was unsuccessful but you feel that this was a mistake, you can discuss the decision with our Admissions Team and ask them to review the decision or provide further advice regarding the decision and/or appeal process.
Yes! You are never just an online student – you are a fully-fledged Northumbria University London student.
As a Northumbria University London student, you have access to our range of student support services, such as:
As an online student, you’ll also have access to the Northumbria Students’ Union London and are more than welcome to get involved and attend any events or social activities they organise. As an online student you may be eligible for many student discount services, such as TOTUM – the UK’s number 1 student discount service, formerly called NUS Extra, and UNiDAYS!
All students at Northumbria University London, whether studying online or in-person, have access to our Student Futures and Careers Team who will help support you in achieving your career goals, making the most out of your experience, developing your skills, and helping to manage your career and future.
Offering a range of activities and services, they’ll support you throughout your journey. They can even support your search for employment after graduation or help you find a part-time or full-time job during your studies.
They offer monthly careers and employability workshops at our London campus to help you plan, research, and find the perfect career path, and you are more than welcome to attend if you can.
The Student Futures and Careers Team also offer:
If you have any further questions about studying online with Northumbria University London, please reach out to us and we will be more than happy to help.