Digital Forensics Msc Full Time

Over 90% of crime is now recognised as having a digital element and the UK Government has stated that digital forensic science sits at the heart of delivering justice in the 21st century, spanning the entire criminal justice system from crime scene to courtroom.

The new MSc in Digital Forensics, offered by Cranfield University in partnership with CCL Solutions Group, (CCL) will seek to address the academically orientated operational needs of UK policing and serious skills shortage of educated and trained individuals in the field to fill digital forensic positions and support the UK’s criminal justice system. 

In 2020, Cranfield Forensic Institute successfully secured £3.6 million funding from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) Local Growth Fund as matched funding to investment of £3.6 million by Cranfield University to create a state-of-the-art forensic investigation teaching and research facility at Cranfield campus near Milton Keynes.

Who is it for?

Digital forensics is becoming one of the most critical fields within forensic science.  As such, the Digital Forensics MSc at Cranfield University will help equip students with the necessary understanding of digital forensic science, courtroom skills and research methods to prepare them to practise as digital forensic professionals.

Exposure to up-to-date research targeted at addressing current real-world problems means that students will not just be academically prepared to enter the Digital Forensics field, but practically prepared for it too.  

Why this course?

The key aims of the course are to:

• Provide students with an understanding of how digital forensic science can be used to help resolve issues in relation to civil and criminal law
• Help equip students new to the field with the necessary understanding of digital forensic science, courtroom skills and research methods in order to prepare them to practise as digital forensic professionals
• Enhance and develop existing practitioners’ knowledge and skills through in-depth academic research guided by acknowledged experts

Course details

Course delivery

Traditional lectures, computer-based practical exercises and independent study

Modules

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.

Compulsory modules

All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of the MSc of this course:

•  Introductory Studies
•  Courtroom Skills
•  Investigation and Evidence Collection
•  Introduction to Digital Crime and Investigation 
•  Digital Forensics Techniques and Traces
•  Internet Based Investigations
• Programming for Digital Forensics
•  Mobile Device Forensics 
•  Thesis

Your career

The programme offers a highly effective springboard into many career opportunities. These include employment routes to Government and non-Governmental bodies, police departments and independent digital forensic consultants. It is also a necessary introduction that leads into conducting research at PhD level in the subject. The Digital Forensics MSc could be an important stepping-stone to an academic career in Digital Forensics.

Cranfield Careers and Employability Service

Cranfield’s Careers and Employability Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. We will also work with you to identify suitable opportunities and support you in the job application process for up to three years after graduation.

How to apply

To register your interest, please use the button below. 

Fees and Funding

MSc Full-time £16,995

MSc Part-time £16,995 *

PgDip Full-time £12,460

PgDip Part-time £12,460 *

PgCert Full-time £5,665

PgCert Part-time £5,665 *

* Fees can be paid in full up front, or in equal annual instalments. Students who complete their course before the initial end date will be invoiced the outstanding fee balance and must pay in full prior to graduation.

Fee notes

The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024.

All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period.

For self-funded students a non-refundable £500 deposit is required, which is offset against the tuition fee.

Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.

Eligibility for Home fee status is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle UK or Irish nationals who are ordinarily resident in either the UK or Republic of Ireland pay Home tuition fees. All other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.