Overview

The programme emphasises both the development of advanced technical skills and the critical consideration of ethical responsibilities, ensuring that graduates are able to design and implement secure solutions that protect information and infrastructure while upholding principles of privacy, integrity, and responsible digital practice.

The coursework covers topics including cryptography, network and cloud security, penetration testing, secure software development, digital forensics, and cyber ethics, equipping students with the technical and ethical skills to protect information systems, detect and mitigate threats, and design resilient digital infrastructures.

Why Cyber Security?
Cyber Security is at the forefront of safeguarding our increasingly digital world. It is the discipline of protecting information, networks, and systems from malicious attacks, data breaches, and other evolving threats through advanced technical methods, secure design principles, and proactive defence strategies. Cyber Security enables governments, businesses, and individuals to ensure privacy, trust, and continuity across critical domains ranging from finance and healthcare to energy, communication, and national security. With the rapid expansion of cyber threats, the demand for skilled cyber security professionals continues to grow globally across industry, government, and academia.

Why Wits?
In response to the urgent need for cyber expertise, Wits has developed an MSc by Coursework and Research Report (CW/RR) in Cyber Security.

This MSc by CW/RR in Cyber Security offers candidates the opportunity to develop advanced technical capabilities through an intensive coursework component and then apply these skills in a research setting through a mini dissertation. The coursework covers areas such as cryptography, secure systems design, malware analysis, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and AI-driven threat detection. The research report component allows candidates to engage with pressing challenges in the field, working under expert supervision in a collaborative environment to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of cyber defence.

By completing this programme, graduates will be equipped to address complex security challenges, uphold ethical standards, and lead innovation in protecting digital assets across diverse sectors.

Applications

In our efforts to make our applications process more efficient and accurate, we ask that the following Google Form be completed in addition to the formal application. Please ensure you complete both the formal application and additional form when applying.

Career Opportunities

A master’s degree in cyber security opens diverse career opportunities across industries. Graduates can work as security analysts, penetration testers, or security engineers, applying advanced knowledge of cryptography, secure systems, and threat detection to protect digital assets. Roles such as incident response specialists, digital forensics experts, and cyber security consultants are in high demand across technology, finance, healthcare, government, and defence sectors.

With expertise in secure design and risk management, graduates can also pursue leadership positions in security architecture, policy development, and cyber strategy. The degree equips professionals to tackle complex security challenges, making them indispensable in today’s interconnected and threat-prone digital world.

Curriculum

Compulsory courses:

• COMS7***A Research Report: Cyber Security [After completing coursework]
• COMS7***A Cyber Security
• COMS7***A Cryptography
• COMS7***A Secure Systems Design and Analysis
• COMS7***A Offensive Security and Ethical Hacking
• COMS7047A Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning
• COMS7055A Data Privacy and Ethics
• COMS7060A Research Methods and Capstone Project in Cyber Security

Entry Requirements

• Applicants require a minimum average of 70 percent in the final year of their prior studies.
• Applicants are required to have a Bachelor of Science with Honours degree from a relevant discipline in Science (Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics) or a relevant NQF level 8 qualification.
• Or a relevant Professional Engineering Degree with demonstrable knowledge of basic principles of Algorithms, Computing, Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics equivalent to 2nd Year Mathematics and 3rd Year Computer Science (see FAQ for more details on the equivalence).

FAQ

Q: Is there a part-time option for this degree and how does the schedule differ from the full-time degree?

A: There is a part-time option, however you would still attend the same lectures as full-time students, you would just take less of them at any given time and spread the degree over longer. Your schedule would depend on the courses which you take. Typically for part-time students you take the compulsory courses in the first year and then the electives in the second (Please see the Curriculum section above for details on compulsory and elective courses). This would mean that you would likely have two to three hours of courses three days a week. The exact timetable for next year has not been finalized yet and so we cannot advise on scheduling at this time.

Q: How strict are the minimum requirements with respect to formal Mathematics and Computer Science courses?

A: Unfortunately, unless you have taken two years of Mathematics and Computer Science courses you do not meet the minimum requirements. For Mathematics the primary topics we are looking for on a transcript are: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics. For Computer Science the topics we are looking for are: Algorithms Analysis, Data Structures and an aptitude for programming in multiple languages. For candidate who do not meet these requirements, we would advise you to look into the Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science which has online lectures and is designed for people from other fields to bridge into machine learning and data science topics. This is approached more practically, and so is less theoretical than the MSc degrees. Note that some assessments for this program may still be in-person.

Q: When can I expect feedback on my application, and if I apply early will there be a pre-emptive round of intake?

A: Applications for the MSc by Coursework and Research Report closed on the 31st of December. So, we cannot provide feedback on the applications until early January 2025. Unfortunately, we cannot give an exact date for when the outcome of your application will be communicated. Further, due to the competitive nature of the degrees we are unable to provide provisional acceptances as admissions are competitive and based on the cohort of applications as a whole.

Q: Can I get a quote for the cost of the degree?

A: You can get information on the cost of the modules from the fees book here, but for a formal quote, you would need to contact the fees office directly.

Q: Do I need to be in contact with a supervisor before applying for an MSc by Coursework and Research Report degree even though the research component is in the second year?

A: For the Masters by Coursework and Research Report the research report you do not need to have a supervisor lined up before applying. You do the coursework in the first year, and after completing that you would find a supervisor and continue with the research. Thus, you should rather apply to the program and during your coursework interact with the lectures in the different fields and ultimately find a supervisor towards the end of the first year of study. For part-time candidates this will happen at the end of the second year once all coursework is completed.

Q: Does it still help my application to a MSc by Coursework and Research Report if I have a supervisor in mind or contacted supervisors?

A: For the MSc by Coursework and Research Report degrees the decision on your application will be based primarily on your performance in your most recent year of study and whether you meet the minimum requirements listed. Thus, having a preliminary supervisor will be weighted relatively less highly in this case.

Q: I do not meet the minimum requirement, but have extensive work experience in a relevant field. Can I use this experience as justification for my admission to the programme?

A: Yes this is called applying with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). We emphasise that RPL is a rigorous process. You must demonstrate that, despite lacking formal training, you still meet all technical requirements across the prerequisite fields. Specifically, you need to show a strong technical background in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics. These are essential for entry into such a programme through RPL. It is not sufficient to demonstrate your capabilities in a subset of these fields. To apply through RPL you need to compile a portfolio of your work demonstrating your aptitude in these fields. This portfolio will then be submitted with your application and considered in place of the required minimum requirements. Importantly, demonstrating that you cover the minimum requirements does not guarantee you a position in the programme as entry is still competitive. The depth of your knowledge and aptitude as demonstrated by the portfolio will be considered.

Q: Is 2nd year Engineering Mathematics considered equivalent to 2nd year Mathematics for the purposes of this application?

A: We do accept 2nd year Engineering Mathematics.

Q: What is the equivalent level of programming course from the engineering faculty required to meet the 2nd year Computer Science requirement?

A: For an Engineering background you need to show clear evidence of programming courses on your transcript up to at least a 3rd year level.

Q: Does Wits offer funding for MSc by Coursework and Research Report students?

A: Unfortunately, Wits does not offer funding by default to MSc by Coursework and Research Report students. If a candidate has studied at Wits in the previous year they may be eligible for the Postgraduate Merit Award (PMA). Such students will be automatically considered  for this award and notified early in the academic year if they have been given the award (there is also a smaller intake at the beginning of the second semester). Otherwise students are advise to plan accordingly and seek their own sources of funding, for example through the NRF.

Q: I am a foreign student looking to apply at Wits, how do I demonstrate that my other qualifications meet the minimum requirements such as an NQF 8 level?

A: You are required to obtain an Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This will describe the equivalent qualification to the one you hold but from a South African institution. This certificate and more information can be obtained here: https://www.saqa.org.za/services/evaluation-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Q: I am having issues working with the online application system, such as being unable to upload documents. How can I resolve these issues?

A: Please contact the Help Desk.

Q: I have faculty in another school or faculty which I would like to supervise my research report. Do I need to have a Computer Science supervisor for my research report?

A: Yes you do require a supervisor explicitly from Computer Science. However, it is possible to be co-supervised by other faculty, subject to the agreement of your primary supervisor (who is in Computer Science).

University Application Process

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.