| Code | MSCCRB |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 Months Full-time |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | MSc |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| Start Date | Not on offer 2025/2026 |
Course Outline
Our MSc Cyber Risk for Business (CRB) programme is offered by the College of Business & Law at UCC. This programme provides our students with the skills required to become IS security analysts, IS risk auditors and to understand IS and data governance and project management. In addition, you will graduate with a portfolio of business and project management skills, as well as enhanced knowledge of IS concepts and core technical skills.
At the core of this programme is a selection of topics covering cloud technologies, IT performance management, data management as well as IT project management. You will also have the opportunity to specialise in the topic of Information Systems (IS) Cyber Risk. This allows our students to fulfil the industry need for professionals who can establish and manage robust systems that are secure against data loss and data breaches.
A research project facilitates the exploration and development of an IS solution to a specific business problem in the domain of information security and risk management.
On completion of this MSc CRB programme, you will have the skillset to be successful in a multitude of roles, including data protection officer, IT risk analyst, security analyst and threat intelligence analyst.
Programme content
Students take a total of 90 credits. Part I consists of 70 credits and Part II consists of 20 credits.
Part I (70 credits)
- BU6005: Applied Research Methods
- BU6510: Professional Development and Research Communication
- IS6017: Enterprise Business Processes and Applications
- IS6025: Design Thinking for Business Analysis
- IS6027: Information Systems Project Planning
- IS6028: Information Systems Project Tracking and Oversight
- IS6050: Business Data Strategy and Management
- IS6060: Cloud Technologies
- IS6061: Programming for Data and Business Analytics
- IS6062:Security Architectures
- IS6063: Information Systems Risk Control Auditing
- IS6065: Information Systems Governance
- IS6066: Breach Management and Recovery
- IS6067: Ethical Hacking and Threat Response
PART II (20 credits)
- IS6620: Applied Research in Cyber Risk
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
The course is taught by academic staff from the Cork University Business School and are experts in their field. The course will usually comprise 16 lecture hours per week, with 2 hours of lab work per week. Between 3 and 5 field trips will be organised throughout the year. Group project work continues to early July, concluding formal course content. However, students may be required to complete an individual essay in their own time up late July/early August.
A hybrid approach to assessment is used in this programme. Assessments methods include formal written exams, essays, group and individual project work, and some lab practicals. Some modules are 100% continuous assessment and most modules have a minimum of 40% continuous assessment. During the programme, students will work individually and in groups. Some of the learning and assessment is structured around industry-standard blue team / red team defence and attack techniques. A strong emphasis is placed on the oral presentation of work.
Why Choose This Course
This course is strongly associated with the Information Systems industry, and with organisations where Information Systems play a critical part. Active input on course content and specialisms is continuously incorporated from both local and multinational industry leaders. The Cyber Risk for Business study path is aligned in part with the ISACA curriculum for Information Systems and Data Governance and Audit.
Skills and Careers Information
Our MSc Cyber Risk for Business graduates can look forward to positions in multiple industry sectors, as risk analysts, threat intelligence analysts, risk auditors, data privacy officers, business analysts and project managers. Graduates will also find positions in business analysis and general management open to them in the IT sector.
The Information Technology, Pharmaceutical, Financial Services, Manufacturing and Public Services sectors all require graduates from this programme. Typical roles include Project Manager, Business Analyst, Risk Analyst, Data Analyst, Threat Analyst, Data Protection Officer, Operations Research and IT Manager.
Requirements
Candidates to have a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent, with appropriate information systems or computing technology skills content. You may also be admitted to the course on the basis of extensive practical or professional experience, as deemed appropriate by the Professor of Business Information Systems and Cork University Business School under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Typical students are from technical disciplines such as Management Information Systems (MIS) or Business Information Systems (BIS), engineering, computer science and mathematics. It is also suitable for business and humanities graduates who have studied Computer Science and Business Information Systems (BIS) subjects and who have some object-oriented programming knowledge.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:
- You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
- What is your occupation/speciality?