With cyber criminals becoming more sophisticated and cybercrime on the rise, the demand for qualified cyber security professionals is high. If you’re looking to progress within the cyber security field, it’s important to choose the best postgraduate degree for you, your experience, and your goals.
One of the strongest indicators of a top-tier cyber security programme in the UK is certification from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). But what exactly does that mean and why should it matter?
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is part of the UK’s intelligence and security agency, GCHQ, and is the UK’s technical authority for cyber security. Its role is to make the UK a safer place to live and work online. Among the many initiatives it has implemented since its inception in 2016 is certification for higher education courses, which meet rigorous standards in cyber security education and training.
As such, NCSC-certified Masters degrees are officially recognised as delivering high-quality, industry-relevant education in line with national standards. This makes it easier for you to identify university programmes that can help you to progress with your career in cyber security.
NCSC certification acts as a stamp of excellence from the UK government. Employers, both within the UK and around the world, recognise the endorsement as evidence that a course meets the highest academic and practical standards in cyber security education.
NCSC-certified programmes are designed in close collaboration with industry and government stakeholders. This helps to ensure that you’re not just learning theoretically about cyber security but gaining and developing practical, hands-on skills and experience that employers are actively seeking.
Graduates with an NCSC-certified MSc Cyber Security stand out in the job market. Many organisations, both governmental and in the private sector, may prioritise candidates with NCSC certification when recruiting cyber security professionals.
Whilst not guaranteed, an NCSC-certified Masters degree in cyber security could open doors to roles in national security, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies, including potential pathways to work with GCHQ or other parts of the UK cyber security ecosystem.
Higher education programmes certified by the NCSC are often taught by academics who are leading researchers or practitioners within the cyber security industry. This provides you with exposure to cutting-edge research and even the potential to contribute to real-world projects during your studies.
Find out more about our cyber security teaching staff:
Universities with NCSC certification typically maintain strong ties with industry partners, government bodies, and professional associations. This provides valuable opportunities for you to attend exclusive events, join workshops, and meet potential employers.
Your online cyber security degree at Northumbria University London also allows you to access our central London campus, in the heart of the business and financial district, should you ever wish to visit. We run in-person workshops and events throughout the academic year that you are more than welcome to attend – in fact, we actively encourage you to attend if you can!
NCSC-certified programmes often include access to high-spec simulation tools. This enables you to practice the skills you learn on the course, such as penetration testing; digital forensics; and incident response, in controlled, real-world settings.
A good cyber security Masters degree isn’t focused entirely on the technical aspects of cyber security. There are deeply ethical and legal considerations to learn, and NCSC-certified courses will teach you responsible and lawful use of cyber security knowledge, preparing you to navigate complex, real-world dilemmas.
Because the course is recognised by the UK’s authority on cyber security, you may qualify for additional funding streams or a scholarship from government or industry bodies that are keen to support the development of the UK’s cyber security workforce. The NCSC itself runs a bursary programme, called CyberFirst.
In addition, if you are looking to progress your career with your current employer by studying an online cyber security Masters degree, your employer may full or part-fund your studies. If this is a possibility, feel free to get in touch to discuss how we can help.
As a cyber expert, your role is crucial to helping strengthen the UK’s (and beyond) defences against digital threats.
By choosing an NCSC-certified degree, you can rest assured that you’re investing in a degree that has been externally validated bby a leading authority in cyber security to deliver a high standard of teaching with up-to-date content and long-term value.
Learn more about our NCSC-certified MSc Cyber Security (Online) programme, and how this can support your career progression.
Alternatively, if you want to entre the cyber security industry with no prior cyber security experience or qualifications, our MSc Cyber Security Technology (Online) programme is a great bridge between your current experience level and a career in cyber security. Whilst it doesn’t currently hold NCSC certification, it is designed to help anyone without a cyber-related degree or work experience move into cyber security.
Dr Rose Fong
Dr Fong is our Programme Leader for Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Computing (Top-Up) and teaching across QA Higher Education IT programmes for Northumbria and Ulster Universities. Her credentials include: BSc (Hons) N. London (UK); MBA Surrey (UK); and MEd PolyU; EdD Durham (UK).
Prior to her current role, Rose was a Senior Lecturer in Computing in Hong Kong with over 25 years’ experience teaching IT subjects at sub-degree and Bachelor levels. She held leadership positions in programmes across media production, business analytics, information systems, and network administration, and served as Director of Student Services, overseeing college-level scholarships. A certified Personality Dimensions® Level 1 facilitator, she managed the Personal and Career Development Centre at City University (2012–2014), delivering over 150 career and personal development sessions.
Rose’s research interests include user-centred design, information systems, and educational technologies. She is a full member of the Hong Kong Computer Society and actively promotes learning technologies by organising conferences and reviewing related journals
Dr. Saber Farag
Dr. Saber Farag is a distinguished academic, practitioner, and researcher in the field of Computing and Engineering, with over 10 years of experience in higher education. He currently serves as the Program Leader for the MSc Computing Frameworks (PT) at Northumbria University’s London campus, a position he has held since mid-2023.
In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Saber leads a consultancy group that delivers real-life projects coordinated by Northumbria University, providing students with valuable industry experience while solving complex problems for external partners. He is also a module leader of key modules, including Programming for AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence for IoT, ensuring a high standard of academic rigour and industry relevance.
Dr. Saber’s contributions to the field extend beyond the classroom, with a strong portfolio of publications in reputable conferences and journals. He actively engages in the academic community as an external reviewer for international conferences, further contributing to the advancement of knowledge in his discipline.
With a passion for continuous learning and innovation, Dr. Saber is dedicated to leveraging his expertise to drive impactful initiatives and inspire the next generation of professionals in Computer Science and Engineering.