Should I do BSc or an MSc?
- Thread starter redrabbit29
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Do the MSc.
For what its worth I found my MSc easier than my BSc, because the subject matter was more interesting to me. You've said you want to go into security management so it seems a much better fit.
Regarding OU MSc, one unit I did was InfoSec related (M886 Information Security Management) and it was probably the most boring unit I studied (quite heavily based on ISO27001). It's been discontinued now but you might want to check to make sure their units are of interest / relevance to you if you go down that route.
For what its worth I found my MSc easier than my BSc, because the subject matter was more interesting to me. You've said you want to go into security management so it seems a much better fit.
Regarding OU MSc, one unit I did was InfoSec related (M886 Information Security Management) and it was probably the most boring unit I studied (quite heavily based on ISO27001). It's been discontinued now but you might want to check to make sure their units are of interest / relevance to you if you go down that route.
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I thought you had to have a BA / BSC to get a MSC?
I was told back in the day HND is the equivelant of 2 years of a BA / BSC?
I was told back in the day HND is the equivelant of 2 years of a BA / BSC?
You can also access MSc by gaining relevant work experience combined with relevant lesser qualifications which is the route the OP would be taking.
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Ah ok
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Thanks for the advice
I'm looking at this: http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/qualifications/f66
There's tons of options and different modules. I'm in a digital forensics job at the minute, so I'm not sure I'd want to do that module, may be quite boring but maybe easy.
I'd probably do:
Network Security
The CCNP module (that looks very tough)
Maybe project management as that seems quite popular these days even for normal IT security workers.
I saw they also do Software Development module which looks like a Java programming bit. I'm a bit concerned about my ability. I've coded/hacked software before and done a fair bit of Python, Delphi, Pascal but always just in spare time, at home messing around. I've done some projects with them but to do it to a masters level is quite daunting.
Maybe I'm just under estimating myself.
I've requested a call back from the OU tonight so waiting for them to ring now.
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Thanks, that's the conclusion I've come too as well. With my experience, my current knowledge and qualifications I think it wouldn't add much.
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Spoke to the Open University about this course - http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/qualifications/f66
I am definitely suitable to take part despite not having a bachelors degree. It takes a minimum 3 years as you can only study a total of 2 modules per year (each worth 30 units) ... to eventually get a total of 180 units for the full MSc.
Looks quite good as it's very flexible, just pick and choose whichever modules you want.
I'm going to speak to work as they have previously helped fund degrees for others in the past. Fingers crossed!
I am definitely suitable to take part despite not having a bachelors degree. It takes a minimum 3 years as you can only study a total of 2 modules per year (each worth 30 units) ... to eventually get a total of 180 units for the full MSc.
Looks quite good as it's very flexible, just pick and choose whichever modules you want.
I'm going to speak to work as they have previously helped fund degrees for others in the past. Fingers crossed!
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How is "relevant work experience" defined? I have an HND in Computing and have been working as a sysadmin for 4 years. Would I qualify?
I actually had no idea this was possible so I'm genuinely interested as a way to make me more employable for higher level positions as I progress my career. And incidentally, security is also an area that greatly interests me.
respect- thanks for this dude, really helpful posts everyone - always been pushed for a degree but got decades of experience and cud never be bothered. Need a fresh challenge / change
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You definitely would be eligible, that's good experience I think.
Most of it is just a tester to see if you'd be able to pass and cope with the learning.
Eg I couldn't go for an MSc in physics as I last did science in school and barely passed that then! But if I had a HND in it and a few years in a "sciency" job and some other knowledge of the area I'd be a good match.
In a field he probably otherwise has no experience in?
You'd have to confirm with whichever institution is providing the course, I wouldn't have thought there is a blanket ruling for what is/isn't going to count.
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Op says he wants to get into Cyber Security. Whichever way he goes about it he will have no direct work experience in it. The MSc in Cyber Security could reasonably be expected to prepare him to some extent and, some would say more importantly, may get him some contacts in the business.
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I'm in a role at present which is cyber crime investigation, digital forensics, speaking to large companies about hacks they've had, data being stolen, etc.. Fairly well trained in some of these areas as well as my own personal interests which has helped me.
So although I don't have DIRECT experience as in a full on security role, I think I do have a decent background and some good knowledge. This combined with the MSc that I may do and some other certifications could help.
For example, later this year I am doing certified ethical hacking, secure programming, ISO 27001, to name a few so my thought process is that I'd look to move on in 2-3 years.
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Erm, Masters degrees are a lot cheaper than a Bachelors degree.
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Will need to build a new computer for the masters (good excuse haha!) as my current one is about 7 years old - 32bit, 4gb ram, very slow and can't run virtual machines which is something I often need to do.
Hoping to sign up for masters this weekend.
Hoping to sign up for masters this weekend.
I found when i got my Msc it got me a lot more work over my Bsc.
As mentioned above get into Security and get some industry quals like CISSP, GIAC quals like pentesting, Cisco security quals etc.
I work as an IT Security Manager for my place and its a growing area. We will be expanding our division in the coming year and it will grow a lot quicker and larger than the other IT divisions here. We have just taken over the separately run entities in each state here in Australia and will be centralizing the IT and rolling out new security and IT policies, protocols etc.
As mentioned above get into Security and get some industry quals like CISSP, GIAC quals like pentesting, Cisco security quals etc.
I work as an IT Security Manager for my place and its a growing area. We will be expanding our division in the coming year and it will grow a lot quicker and larger than the other IT divisions here. We have just taken over the separately run entities in each state here in Australia and will be centralizing the IT and rolling out new security and IT policies, protocols etc.