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Subject guide

Cyber Security courses for international students

Cyber security is one of the few fields where the shortage of qualified people is measured in millions. Degrees are hands-on, often certified by national security agencies, and lead to roles in every sector from banking to government.

Courses

Cyber Security courses at partner universities

Fees are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.

What a cyber security degree involves

Cyber security degrees cover network security, cryptography, ethical hacking and penetration testing, digital forensics, security operations, governance and risk, and secure software development. Many are certified by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre or equivalent bodies.

Why study cyber security abroad

  • Global shortage of security professionals
  • Degrees certified by national agencies carry weight
  • Hands-on labs and capture-the-flag competitions
  • Strong graduate salaries and clear progression
  • Post-study visas treat security roles as skilled

Best countries for cyber security

CountryWhyTypical annual tuition
United KingdomNCSC-certified degrees at Abertay, Edinburgh Napier, BCU, Southampton£17,000 to £30,000
United StatesCarnegie Mellon, Purdue, Georgia Tech; STEM OPTUS$30,000 to US$60,000
CanadaConcordia, Toronto, New BrunswickCA$20,000 to CA$45,000
AustraliaUNSW, RMIT, DeakinA$35,000 to A$50,000
IrelandUCD, TU Dublin, Munster TU€14,000 to €25,000
NetherlandsTwente, Radboud, Eindhoven€17,000 to €22,000

Universities to consider

Entry requirements

LevelTypical requirement
UndergraduateSecondary school with maths (typically 65 to 80 percent), IELTS 6.0.
PostgraduateA computing or related bachelor's at 2:2 or above; some programmes accept other STEM degrees with programming experience.

Careers

Security analystPenetration testerSecurity engineerDigital forensics investigatorSOC analystSecurity architectGRC consultantIncident responder

UK graduate starting salaries of roughly £28,000 to £40,000, rising fast with certifications.

Scholarships and funding

Oasis does not award scholarships, but partner universities discount fees for strong applicants and several government schemes cover this subject. See the scholarship guide and our loan partners.

Fees and salaries are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.

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Questions

Cyber Security: what students ask

What does NCSC certification mean?

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre certifies degrees that meet its curriculum standards; it signals quality to employers.

Do I need programming skills?

Yes for technical roles. Governance and risk roles need less coding but more policy and communication.

Which certifications pair well with a degree?

CompTIA Security+, CEH, OSCP and later CISSP. Many degrees embed the first two.

Is cyber security a good field for women?

Yes, and universities and employers run targeted scholarships and mentoring because the field needs more women.

Ready to study cyber security?

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