NOUN MSc Cyber Security – Courses, Outline, Requirements, Fees
NOUN MSc Cyber Security course outline covers 36 credit units across 3 semesters including cryptography, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and dissertation. See full details.
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What Is the NOUN MSc Cyber Security Programme?
Nigeria lost over ₦127 billion to cybercrime in 2024 alone. The country needs skilled defenders, and right now there are nowhere near enough of them.
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If you hold a first degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field, the MSc Cyber Security programme at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is one of the most accessible ways to move into this field — without leaving your job or relocating to a campus.
The programme runs through NOUN’s Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), a World Bank-funded postgraduate centre set up in 2019. It is delivered 100% online, with biannual intakes in December and May, so you can study from anywhere and start sooner rather than later.
Here is what makes it stand out:
- Fully online delivery — study from Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, or any location with internet access.
- NUC-approved — a recognised, accredited postgraduate degree, not a certificate course.
- Practice-heavy curriculum — you will use real tools like Wireshark, Kali Linux, FTK, Autopsy, and CrypTool, not just read theory.
- Research-focused — the programme ends with a dissertation and a published paper.
- Taught by experts — facilitators include PhD-qualified cyber security researchers from across Nigeria.
Whether you are an IT professional ready to specialise, a fresh graduate pivoting into security, or a military or law enforcement officer building advanced digital skills, this programme is built for your path.
Who Should Apply for This Programme?
The MSc Cyber Security is not a general computing degree. It is a specialised postgraduate programme for people who already have a technical foundation and want to master the protection of digital systems.
You are a strong fit if you are any of the following:
- An IT professional in support, network administration, software development, or systems engineering who wants to move into a security role.
- A banking, fintech, or telecoms employee who needs to understand the cyber threat landscape at a strategic and technical level.
- A military, intelligence, or law enforcement officer working with digital evidence, cyber intelligence, or critical infrastructure.
- A fresh graduate with a strong record in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics.
If you see yourself in any of these, read on — the entry requirements below will tell you whether you qualify.
Entry Requirements You Need to Meet
To get into the programme, you must meet one of two degree pathways, plus the O-level requirement that applies to everyone.
Pathway 1 — Bachelor’s Degree
A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (on a 5-point scale) in any of these fields:
- Cyber Security
- Information Technology
- Communication Technology
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering or Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics, Physics Electronics, or Physics with Mathematics
Pathway 2 — Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)
A PGD from a recognised institution with a minimum of 3 points, in any of the same fields listed above. This route works well if your first degree was in a slightly different area but you have completed a bridging PGD.
O-Level Requirement (Compulsory for Both Pathways)
You also need five O-level credits from SSCE, GCE, NECO, NABTEB, or an equivalent, in no more than two sittings. These must include:
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- One of: Biology, Agricultural Science, Computer Studies, or Further Mathematics
Full Course Outline – Semester by Semester
The programme spans three semesters: two taught semesters followed by a dissertation semester. You need a minimum of 36 credit units to graduate — 30 from core courses (including the dissertation) and 6 from electives.
First Semester – Building the Foundation
This semester lays the groundwork: the fundamentals of cyber security, advanced cryptography, and the architecture of computer and network security, supported by research and management courses.
Compulsory Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units |
|---|---|---|
| CST801 | Fundamentals of Cyber Security and Cyber Crime | 2 |
| CST803 | Advanced Cryptography | 3 |
| CST805 | Computer and Network Security | 3 |
| SCI801 | Management and Entrepreneurship | 2 |
| SCI802 | ICT and Research Methodology | 2 |
| GST807 | Study Guide for ODL | 2 (Required) |
| Semester Total | 14 |
GST807 is only required for students who have not previously studied through open and distance learning.
Elective Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units |
|---|---|---|
| CST807 | Secure Software Engineering | 2 |
| CST809 | Security Architecture and Design | 2 |
| ATI805 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| ATI823 | Introduction to Algorithms | 2 |
Which elective should you pick?
- Choose ATI805 (Machine Learning) if you are drawn to the future of security — AI-driven threat detection and anomaly analysis.
- Choose CST809 (Security Architecture and Design) if you are aiming for security consulting or enterprise architecture roles.
Second Semester – Offensive and Defensive Skills
This is where the programme gets hands-on. You will learn to attack and defend systems, analyse malware, investigate incidents, and understand cyber warfare at a strategic level.
Compulsory Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units |
|---|---|---|
| CST802 | Malware and Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CST804 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | 3 |
| CST806 | Cyber War and Cyber Deterrence | 2 |
| CST808 | Incidence Management and Disaster Recovery | 2 |
| CST822 | Seminar | 2 |
| Semester Total | 12 |
Elective Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units |
|---|---|---|
| CST810 | Web Security | 2 |
| CST812 | Cyber Law and Ethics | 2 |
| MIS812 | System Development and Deployment | 2 |
Which elective should you pick?
- Choose CST812 (Cyber Law and Ethics) for a path into compliance, governance, or policy — fast-growing areas in Nigerian organisations.
- Choose CST810 (Web Security) if your work touches web apps, e-commerce, or fintech platforms.
Third Semester – Dissertation
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units |
|---|---|---|
| CST899 | Dissertation | 6 |
| Semester Total | 6 |
The dissertation is your capstone. You will:
- Pick a research topic with your supervisor’s approval.
- Carry out independent research using cyber security analysis tools.
- Submit a written report that contributes original insight.
- Publish your findings in a peer-reviewed journal or conference proceedings before you can graduate.
What You Will Actually Learn in Each Course
Every course has a practical lab component. You will not just read about cyber security — you will do it, using the same tools professionals rely on in the field.
CST801 — Fundamentals of Cyber Security and Cyber Crime (2 Units)
Your conceptual foundation. Covers the threat landscape, authentication, malware types, risk management, cyber espionage, and the economics and psychology behind cybercrime.
CST803 — Advanced Cryptography (3 Units)
Deep dive into cryptographic systems. You will study:
- Private-key and public-key cryptosystems
- AES, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), digital signatures, and hash functions
- Zero-knowledge proofs and quantum computing basics
Lab work: hands-on encryption with GPG, OpenSSL, and CrypTool, plus implementing DES, RSA, MD5, and SHA-1.
CST805 — Computer and Network Security (3 Units)
Intrusion detection, DNS attacks, port scanning, password cracking, and real-time network monitoring.
Lab work: configuring firewalls across Windows, Linux, and Mac, analysing e-commerce and blockchain wallet vulnerabilities, and using GnuPG, KF Sensor, and Net Stumbler.
CST802 — Malware and Digital Forensics (3 Units)
One of the most intensive courses. You will learn:
- Malware analysis and artefact extraction
- Memory, network, and filesystem forensics on Windows and Linux
- Deleted file recovery and expert witness reporting
Lab work: Wireshark, FTK, Winhex, X-Ways Forensics, Autopsy, and The Sleuth Kit — the exact tools used by forensic investigators worldwide.
CST804 — Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing (3 Units)
Learn to think like an attacker so you can defend like a pro. Covers footprinting, network exploitation, social engineering, and web application testing. You will produce a full penetration test report — the same deliverable a professional pen tester hands a client.
CST806 — Cyber War and Cyber Deterrence (2 Units)
A strategic view of nation-state cyber capabilities, cyber weapons, attack and defence doctrines, and the law and ethics of cyber conflict. Especially relevant for military, intelligence, and government roles.
CST808 — Incidence Management and Disaster Recovery (2 Units)
The operational side of security: incident response planning, business impact analysis, disaster recovery strategy, and business continuity aligned with international standards.
How You Will Be Assessed
Forget the idea that everything rides on a final exam. ACETEL spreads your grade across six components, with 70% coming from coursework and practical work:
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Portfolios | 10% |
| Mini-Projects with Presentation | 20% |
| Laboratory Practicals | 10% |
| Internship | 10% |
| Assignments | 20% |
| Final Examination | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The internship is a mandatory six-week industrial attachment, graded as a 6-credit course.
Grading scale:
- A — 70 and above (5 points)
- B — 60 to 69 (4 points)
- C — 50 to 59 (3 points)
- D — 45 to 49 (2 points)
- E — 40 to 44 (1 point)
- F — 39 and below (0 points)
You need a minimum CGPA of 3.00 to proceed to the dissertation stage and to graduate.
What It Takes to Graduate
To earn your MSc, you must tick every one of these boxes:
- Pass all compulsory courses.
- Earn at least 6 elective credit units.
- Maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 throughout.
- Present two seminars before your final dissertation defence.
- Publish a paper in a peer-reviewed journal or conference proceedings.
- Complete and pass the six-week industrial attachment.
- Submit your dissertation — four bound copies plus two CDs of the soft copy — to ACETEL.
How to Apply for NOUN MSc Cyber Security
The whole process is online. You will not visit any office or post any documents. Follow these seven steps carefully.
Step 1 – Visit the ACETEL Admissions Portal
Go to https://aceteladmissions.nou.edu.ng/ — the only official channel. Avoid agents and third-party sites. Use a stable internet connection and a device that lets you upload files easily.
Step 2 – Create Your Account
Register as a new applicant with your full name, a regularly checked email, your phone number, and a secure password. All admission communication goes to this email, so choose carefully. Verify the account via the confirmation email, then log in.
Step 3 – Fill in the Application Form
Enter your details accurately. You will provide:
- Degree details — institution, course, class of degree, year of graduation, and CGPA.
- O-level results — subjects, grades, and examination body.
- Programme choice — MSc Cyber Security.
Double-check everything. Errors in your academic data can delay processing or cost you the admission.
Step 4 – Upload Your Supporting Documents
Have these ready in PDF or JPEG, within the portal’s size limits:
- Bachelor’s degree or PGD certificate
- Academic transcript showing your CGPA
- O-level result(s) — upload both if you sat twice
- Recent passport photograph (white background)
- Any other document the portal requests
Make sure each file is clear, legible, and correctly oriented before uploading.
Step 5 – Pay the Application Fee via Remita
ACETEL uses Remita for all payments. To pay:
- Go to remita.net and click “Pay TSA & States.”
- Select “FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria.”
- Search for “National Open University of Nigeria Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning.”
- Under purpose, select the Master’s registration fee category.
- Complete payment and save your Remita Receipt Reference (RRR) number.
Return to the ACETEL portal, enter the RRR to confirm payment, and keep a copy of your receipt.
Step 6 – Review and Submit
Go through every section one last time. Confirm your name spelling, that your details match your certificates, and that all documents are uploaded. Once submitted, changes may not be possible without contacting the admin team. When you are sure, hit submit.
Step 7 – Monitor Your Admission Status
Check the portal and your email regularly. If admitted, you will receive an admission letter with instructions for course registration and first-semester fee payment.
Need help? Contact ACETEL at acetel@noun.edu.ng Intakes run twice a year — December and May — so there is no need to rush a weak application. Download the official handbook at http://3.72.74.81/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/msc-cst-acetel-students-handbook-cyber-security.pdf.
Where This Degree Can Take You
Cyber security is no longer niche. Every bank, telecom, fintech, government agency, and corporation in Nigeria needs people who can defend systems and investigate breaches. Globally, there is a shortage of over 3.5 million cyber security professionals — and Africa feels that gap acutely.
Roles you will qualify for:
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Penetration Tester
- Digital Forensics Investigator
- Information Security Consultant
- Network Security Engineer
- SOC (Security Operations Centre) Analyst
- Malware Analyst
- IT Auditor
- Security Architect
- Cyber Security Researcher
Sectors that hire them: banking and finance, telecommunications, oil and gas, government and defence, consulting firms, law enforcement, and technology companies.
What about pay? Mid-to-senior cyber security professionals in Nigeria earn roughly ₦6 million to ₦20 million a year, with far higher figures for consulting, management, and international roles.
The programme also positions you for global certifications like CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+, and OSCP. And if research is your goal, you can progress to the PhD in Cyber Security at ACETEL with a graduating CGPA of 4.00.
Final Thoughts
The NOUN MSc Cyber Security programme is one of the few fully online, NUC-approved postgraduate cyber security degrees in Nigeria. It pairs the flexibility of distance learning with a tough, practical curriculum that runs from cryptography and penetration testing to cyber warfare and forensic investigation.
If a campus-based programme was never going to fit around your job, this removes that barrier entirely. If you have outgrown short courses and want a real Master’s degree with research training and industry experience behind it, this is your route in.
Start your application at https://aceteladmissions.nou.edu.ng/, or reach ACETEL at acetel@noun.edu.ng for guidance. The next intake — December or May — is your opening. Take it.
