Computer Network Administration and Management MSc
MSc Computer Network Administration and Management
See how you'll be taught in 2021/22 in our Covid information for applicants.
Overview
Businesses, big and small, are only as secure and efficient as their systems. If you're ready to take your existing technical and problem-solving skills to postgraduate level, then our MSc Computer Network Administration and Management degree course will help you reach your goals.
On this course, you'll learn the principles and practice of systems administration and management – including system and network design, analysis, specification, efficiency and security.
You'll plan and produce an individual project, and we'll provide the expertise and support so you can develop your professional practice. So once you graduate, you'll have all the tools you need for a career in computer network administration.
You can start this course in October/September or February/January (full time only in February/January).
Pending accreditation
This course is currently going through the process of accreditation with the British Computer Society (The Chartered Institute for IT) after the 2020 assessment visit was delayed due to Covid-19.
Our CISCO Networking Academy blends face-to-face teaching with web-based curriculum, hands-on lab exercises, and Internet-based assessment. Students can practice, experiment, learn and share their work using our bespoke networking labs equipped with the latest Cisco networking devices. The teaching is delivered by fully qualified Cisco Academy instructors.
Entry requirements
MSc Computer Network Administration and Management Master's degree entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- An upper second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
What you'll experience
On this Computer Network Administration and Management degree course, you'll:
- Get to use our multi-platform suites and computer labs
- Have access to over 250 servers in our £1 million network laboratory, featuring the latest computer networks and communication systems
- Get hands-on experience of configuring and optimising secure networks, and build client, server and middleware aspects of internet applications
- Study the key themes in the field, like Data Communications and Networking, Cloud Computing and Client Server Network Architecture
- Complete a personal project, applying what you've learned to a significant communications system or network planning problem
- Learn from academic staff with relevant experience in the field, including research and consultancy
Careers and opportunities
You'll graduate from this course with the skills you need for a career as a senior IT practitioner. Because there's a need for qualified, skilled practitioners in the field, you can apply your knowledge to an in-house accounting and finance system, or in an SME or a corporate-wide data system in an international organisation. You can also choose an academic career and study for a PhD.
Jobs you can do with a Computer Network Administration and Management degree
Career opportunities include:
- systems administrator
- systems manager
- network designer
- IT manager
- system consultant
- university lecturer or researcher
We'll provide you with as much support as possible in finding employment through close industrial contacts, careers events, recruitment fairs and individual advice.
Work experience and career planning
We'll help you to identify internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies.
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in computer network administration.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
What you'll study
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.
Modules
- Cloud Computing
- Computer Security
- Enterprise Network Design and Management
- ICT Configuration and Administration
- Master's Engineering Project
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
academic writingnote takingtime managementcritical thinkingpresentation skillsreferencing working in groupsrevision , memory and exam techniques
Teaching
Teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- tutorials
- laboratory sessions
Term times
The academic year runs from October to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
It's divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:
- Teaching block 1 – October to January
- Assessment period 1 – late January to early February
- Teaching block 2 – February to May
- Assessment period 2 – May to June
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- examinations
- coursework assignments
- a laboratory report
- a dissertation
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2021 and January 2022 start)
UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full-time – £9,200 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time – £3,070 per year (3 years) (may be subject to annual increase)
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time – £9,200 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time –£3,070 per year (3 years) (may be subject to annual increase)
International students
- Full-time – £17,600 (subject to annual increase)
- Part-time – £5,870 per year (3 years) (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
There may be travel costs for optional internships/placements. These will vary depending on the nature of internship/placement and can range from £50 - £1000.
Apply
September 2021 start
- Full-time study (1 year)
- Part-time study (3 years)
January 2022 start
- Full-time study (16 months)
International students
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply directly to us (above) or you can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
- Subject area
- Computing
