How long is the MSc in Computer Networking?

The MSc in Computer Networking runs one year full-time or two years part-time at UK Level 7 and closes with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor consulting project.

How is the MSc in Computer Networking delivered?

The MSc in Computer Networking is delivered on-campus in central London, online with network lab provisioning, or by distance learning with the same provisioning.

Is the MSc in Computer Networking recognised in the UK?

Yes. The MSc in Computer Networking is a UK Level 7 postgraduate degree aligned with CompTIA senior pathways, IET training foundations and (ISC)² network-focused content.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a UK Bachelor's at 2:2 or above in a relevant discipline, or five years of senior networking experience for the portfolio route into the MSc in Computer Networking. IELTS 6.5 is required for non-native speakers.

How much does the MSc in Computer Networking cost?

The MSc in Computer Networking is fee-banded at Level 7. Instalment plans, employer-sponsored routes and scholarship review are available, and admissions confirms figures within one working day.

MSc in Computer Networking | LSCE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MSc in Computer Networking is a UK Level 7 postgraduate degree running one year full-time or two years part-time. It develops senior computer networking practice for UK operator, enterprise and cloud-native estates, from routing and switching through SDN, 5G access, network automation and security. Content is aligned with CompTIA senior pathways, IET training foundations and (ISC)² network-focused content.

By graduation you will be designing and operating modern network estates and closing with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor consulting project on a live networking brief.

UK cyber practice is shaped by NCSC-informed content, professional-body expectations from (ISC)² and ISACA, and the day-to-day reality of defending regulated UK estates.

Assessment uses coursework, applied technical briefs and a substantial dissertation, capstone or sponsor consulting project. There is a formal research-methods strand embedded in the taught stage so the dissertation is well scaffolded.

Cohorts are small and research-adjacent, with paper-reading groups, one-to-one dissertation supervision and structured feedback throughout the taught stage.

The postgraduate route is designed for senior UK practice, with dissertation, capstone or sponsor-consulting options negotiated during induction and matched to a supervisor.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with CompTIA senior pathways, IET training foundations and (ISC)² network-focused content.
Modules on IPv6 at scale, SDN, 5G/6G access, WAN and network automation.
Coverage of network security including zero-trust patterns.
Cloud practitioner content across AWS, Google Cloud and Azure networking services.
Named programme tutor with weekly labs across every study mode.
Dissertation, capstone or sponsor-project route negotiated during induction.
Engagement with NCSC-informed content and (ISC)² community events in London.
Structured reporting workshops covering evidential writing, executive briefings and client-quality technical reports.
Access to LSCE alumni network across UK cyber and network employers for mentoring and job introductions.
Weekly clinics with a named programme tutor for one-to-one lab review and career coaching.
Regular CTF and blue-team exercises organised by the LSCE student society and cyber careers service.
Cohort-wide showcase events at the close of each teaching block with employer and community observers invited.
Access to LSCE's cyber technology library and industry-report subscriptions.

What You Will Learn

Design and troubleshoot IPv4 and IPv6 estates at scale.
Design SDN and NFV architectures.
Frame 5G and 6G access network fundamentals.
Design WAN, SD-WAN and hybrid connectivity.
Automate network configuration and change safely.
Apply zero-trust and defence-in-depth in networks.
Model network reliability, availability and telemetry.
Communicate network decisions to non-technical stakeholders.
Structure a personal cyber portfolio, home lab and public write-ups suitable for UK applications.
Communicate technical findings to non-technical decision makers.
Balance detection, response and recovery under executive time pressure.
Design controls that stand up to UK regulatory audit.
Work under UK legal boundaries including the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Manage secrets, keys and privileged access with proper hygiene.
Communicate cyber decisions and residual risk honestly to non-technical stakeholders.
Balance protective control, detection capability and business enablement for a real UK organisation.

Who This Course Is For

Senior network engineers moving into architect roles.
Telecoms engineers formalising senior practice.
Consultants selling network services.
International postgraduates seeking a UK senior-track credential.
Working professionals sponsored to lead a networking project.
Doctoral-track applicants using the Master's dissertation as a springboard into research.
Applicants applying with a portfolio of prior projects or workplace evidence.
Applicants applying via the LSCE portfolio-only route with substantive workplace evidence.

Career Pathways

Network Engineer at senior grade
Network Security Engineer
Systems Security Architect (network focus)
Telecoms Engineer at senior grade
Cloud Engineer with a networking focus
Solutions Architect (networks)
Site Reliability Engineer (networks)

The LSCE careers service maintains contacts across UK network operators, telecoms firms and cloud practitioner consultancies. Master's graduates advance into senior UK practice, specialist consulting or research-oriented roles with structured LSCE careers-service support.

Careers-service coaching in the closing stage covers CV re-work for senior UK roles, mock interviews with technical challenges and structured portfolio critique for research-adjacent roles.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree at 2:2 or above, or an international equivalent, in computing, telecoms or a closely related discipline.
Applicants with five or more years of senior networking experience are considered by portfolio for the MSc in Computer Networking.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Two references, normally academic; senior professional references accepted for the experience route.
A one-page personal statement setting out your dissertation or capstone interest.

Applicants whose profile falls just outside these thresholds can request a portfolio review, LSCE admissions considers substantive workplace evidence alongside formal qualifications.

Why Study at LSCE

LSCE, part of Harold International College of London, teaches computing and engineering in small tutor-visible cohorts and partners with UK professional bodies including CompTIA, the IET, (ISC)² and the BCS Cyber Security Specialist Group. The London campus places London-region network operators and the NCSC within a short tube ride.

Postgraduates choose from on-campus, online with lab provisioning, or distance learning with the same provisioning, and every route joins the same intake cohort with weekly named-tutor visibility. The College's shared library, careers-service industry connections and elective-module access across the wider Harold International College catalogue are open to every enrolled student subject to availability.

LSCE is designed so on-campus, online and distance-learning students receive genuinely equivalent teaching. Online and distance students receive the same lab kit, same tutor visibility and same assessment brief as on-campus students.

Apply for MSc in Computer Networking

Advance your career with an LSCE postgraduate degree. Click Enrol Now, admissions will respond within one working day with intake dates, dissertation supervision options and scholarship review. Applications are reviewed as they arrive so early submissions receive the widest choice of intake dates, module options and supervision slots.

Applicants who need employer-sponsorship letters, credit-transfer confirmation or accommodation guidance can request these in the first admissions conversation. Applicants can also visit the central London campus for an open-day tour before enrolment, or request a live online session with the programme team.