[rajprince]

Hi,

I am a non-EU graduate. I have completed my bachelors in Computer Science. I have two years of experience as Software Developer in a major IT firm.

I was always interested in Information Security and Network security in particular. I do have some ethical hacking skills. Now i want to do my MS in Uk in information security or Network Security.

But i came to know that good industry experience in Networks would be the best to gain knowledge for Security Jobs.

So, i'm confused now.

can you guys please suggest me the best thing i should do?
Also can you suggest me the best universities in UK for Information Security , Network Security or Computer Networks with respect to Course content and Career Oppurtunities.


Thanks a lot.

[rajprince]

Please, can anyone help??

[UnixGuy]

As far as universities concerned, RHUL Information Security group has a great reputation in and outside the UK. Read this useful about RHUL:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show....php?t=1954513


Career wise, Information Security is a VERY broad field, but since you narrowed your choice down to "Network Security" , then I believe industry experience is essential. In anything IT related, experience is #1. For network security, try to get a job with a vendor or business partner (for example, getting a job with Cisco partner will give you an excellent exposure to firewalls/IDS, or working with symantec or Check point). You will need a lot of hands-on experience configuring firewalls, IDS, Anti-spams,..etc. This is what Network Security is all about. Consider certifications: Security+, CCNA: Security, CCSP, CCIE Security, Check point..etc.


Your experience as a software developer might be more useful in Malware analysis and software security though. Personally, I believe a career in software development is very rewarding. Good luck!

[rajprince]

@UnixGuy Thanks a lot.

Your answer helped me a lot.

Any more opinions please.

[lex25288]

Don't really know about this specific MSc, but last time I checked Royal Holloway is not a Top 10 uni in Computer Science.....

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my Galaxy Nexus

[fogyptian]

(Original post by lex25288)
Don't really know about this specific MSc, but last time I checked Royal Holloway is not a Top 10 uni in Computer Science.....

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my Galaxy Nexus

Most of the top 10 unis in computer science don't do this type of MSc and it is a pretty specific field so those league tables don't really help.

There are 8 recognised centres of excellence in cyber security research in the UK:
University of Bristol
Imperial College London
Lancaster University
University of Oxford
Queen’s University Belfast
Royal Holloway, University of London
University of Southampton
University College London.

RHUL also put you through and intensive CISSP revision course and the exam, which is really cool.

[lex25288]

Sorry, didn't know about the list... ^_^

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my Galaxy Nexus

[Oxford Computer Science Dept]

We offer an MSc in Software and Systems Security which might be of interest. It's a part-time course designed for those currently working in the field. Students normally take between 2 and 4 years to compete the MSc. You build up the degree by taking 10 different courses (modules) from a choice of 30 odd, plus a dissertation. Each course is based around a week of intensive teaching in Oxford, with some initial reading to consider beforehand, and a six-week assignment to complete afterwards. Applications welcome at any time of year, with admissions in October, January, and April. More information here.

[kka25]

(Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept)
We offer an MSc in Software and Systems Security which might be of interest. It's a part-time course designed for those currently working in the field. Students normally take between 2 and 4 years to compete the MSc. You build up the degree by taking 10 different courses (modules) from a choice of 30 odd, plus a dissertation. Each course is based around a week of intensive teaching in Oxford, with some initial reading to consider beforehand, and a six-week assignment to complete afterwards. Applications welcome at any time of year, with admissions in October, January, and April. More information here.

Are these modules based on the UG 3rd and 4th year electives?

[Oxford Computer Science Dept]

(Original post by kka25)
Are these modules based on the UG 3rd and 4th year electives?

No, it's a separate set of post-graduate level courses put on by our Software Engineering Programme. They are aimed specifically at those working industry, rather than at undergraduates. You can do courses in security as an undergraduate on a CS degree, but they are different.

Edit: I should also add that you can just do one or two of the Software Engineering courses as stand alone courses if you're not sure about doing a full MSc. If you do want to then sign up to the full thing, you can use the couple of courses as credit towards it.

[kka25]

(Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept)
No, it's a separate set of post-graduate level courses put on by our Software Engineering Programme. They are aimed specifically at those working industry, rather than at undergraduates. You can do courses in security as an undergraduate on a CS degree, but they are different.

Edit: I should also add that you can just do one or two of the Software Engineering courses as stand alone courses if you're not sure about doing a full MSc. If you do want to then sign up to the full thing, you can use the couple of courses as credit towards it.

Owh, that's good to hear.

I applied for Oxford before but I selected somewhere else. When I entered the MSc for the particular institution, my modules were all made of from the UG 3rd and 4th year MEng courses. I felt a bit rip-off to be honest. My class population was huge as well!; but that's because the UG were there (talking about skipping class and all ). Paid truck loads of money for that?

Anyway, going back to Oxford, the tutor that interviewed me did ask why I chose the College for the MSc for CS because I already have a CS degree; wonder why he asked the question.

[Oxford Computer Science Dept]

(Original post by kka25)
Owh, that's good to hear.

I applied for Oxford before but I selected somewhere else. When I entered the MSc for the particular institution, my modules were all made of from the UG 3rd and 4th year MEng courses. I felt a bit rip-off to be honest. My class population was huge as well!; but that's because the UG were there (talking about skipping class and all ). Paid truck loads of money for that?

For the week-long MSc courses (ie the ones run by the Software Engineering programme that can be used towards the part-time MSc in Software Engineering and the part-time MSc in Software and Systems Security) the class sizes are normally restricted to 12, 16, or 18 students per module. (The term-long courses for the full-time MSc in Computer Science have larger class sizes.)

[kka25]

(Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept)
For the week-long MSc courses (ie the ones run by the Software Engineering programme that can be used towards the part-time MSc in Software Engineering and the part-time MSc in Software and Systems Security) the class sizes are normally restricted to 12, 16, or 18 students per module. (The term-long courses for the full-time MSc in Computer Science have larger class sizes.)

Thanks for the reply.

How large are we talking about?

[Oxford Computer Science Dept]

(Original post by kka25)
Thanks for the reply.
How large are we talking about?

You're welcome.

For the full-time MSc in Computer Science, lectures are normally about 20 people. Maximum 40-50, but 20 is more normal. Classes are around 10 students, but with a maximum of 12. Practicals have a maximum 10:1 ratio of demonstrators to students.

Some courses are just for the MSc in CS students, others are shared with, for example, MSc in Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science students or those in their fourth, Masters year of their 4-year degrees.

Hope that helps.

[rajprince]

(Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept)
You're welcome.

For the full-time MSc in Computer Science, lectures are normally about 20 people. Maximum 40-50, but 20 is more normal. Classes are around 10 students, but with a maximum of 12. Practicals have a maximum 10:1 ratio of demonstrators to students.

Some courses are just for the MSc in CS students, others are shared with, for example, MSc in Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science students or those in their fourth, Masters year of their 4-year degrees.

Hope that helps.

Hi,

I am an Indian wishing to study at Oxford or Cambridge. (Msc Software Engineering).

I have a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from India with 70% which i think is equivalent to British First Honours.
I also have ONE year programming experience in a Multinational Company in India.

Do you think i can be eligible or be able to get into Oxford?


Please reply.

Thanks.

[Oxford Computer Science Dept]

(Original post by rajprince)
Hi,

I am an Indian wishing to study at Oxford or Cambridge. (Msc Software Engineering).
I have a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from India with 70% which i think is equivalent to British First Honours.
I also have ONE year programming experience in a Multinational Company in India.
Do you think i can be eligible or be able to get into Oxford?

Hi.
The requirements for the part-time MSc are as follows "relevant industrial experience is valued as highly as previous education. At a minimum, we expect applicants to have either a degree-level qualification in a related discipline, or a substantial record of practical achievement in software development in a professional context." The majority of those accepted have both previous higher education and industrial experience. So it sounds like you're on the right track.

To study for a postgraduate qualification – the MSc in Software Engineering – you need to make a formal application to the University. Students who look like they meet the admissions criteria, are invited for an interview, where they have the opportunity to discuss their expectations, study plans, and readiness to take part in a programme. We will ask also for at least two references, one of which will normally come from your current employer. If your application is successful, then you may be admitted at the beginning of the next term: in January, April, or October.

If you want to have an informal chat about an application you should get in touch with the programme office who will be able to give you further guidance.

[rajprince]

(Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept)
Hi.
The requirements for the part-time MSc are as follows "relevant industrial experience is valued as highly as previous education. At a minimum, we expect applicants to have either a degree-level qualification in a related discipline, or a substantial record of practical achievement in software development in a professional context." The majority of those accepted have both previous higher education and industrial experience. So it sounds like you're on the right track.

To study for a postgraduate qualification – the MSc in Software Engineering – you need to make a formal application to the University. Students who look like they meet the admissions criteria, are invited for an interview, where they have the opportunity to discuss their expectations, study plans, and readiness to take part in a programme. We will ask also for at least two references, one of which will normally come from your current employer. If your application is successful, then you may be admitted at the beginning of the next term: in January, April, or October.

If you want to have an informal chat about an application you should get in touch with the programme office who will be able to give you further guidance.

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your reply. It was a relief.
I was wondering if my marks wouldn't be good enough.

And the way i am looking forward for Full Time Msc Computer Science.


Thanks.