Master of Science in Cyber Security
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) offers the Master of Science in Cyber Security to provide advanced professional development in cyber security, including research-based and/or technical-based dissertation work to prepare you as a subject matter expert.
The program covers industry-relevant areas such as Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Incident Response, Security Auditing and Assessment, Advanced Ethical Hacking, E-Investigation, and Data Analytics in Cyber Security, with a technical project/dissertation in the final semester.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Pre-requisite modules are required for applicants without a Bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security or Forensic Computing.
- Pre-requisite options include Programming in Python, Database Fundamentals, and Digital Forensics and Cyber Security Tools.
- Applicants may be required to pass pre-requisite modules before continuing with the Master’s degree.
- Core modules include Information Security Design, Data Analytics in Cyber Security, Cyber Security & Threats, and Security Operations Center & Incident Response.
- Students also study Advanced Ethical Hacking and Advanced Digital Forensics as part of the core module set.
- The programme includes Research Methodology in Computing & Engineering to prepare for the final project work.
- Students choose 3 elective modules from the elective module list.
- Elective modules include Network Design & Performance, Information Security Architectures, Security Audit and Assessment, E-Investigation, and Applied Scripting in Cyber Security.
- A Project Paper is included as a supervised technical and/or research-based deliverable.
- The final assessment includes a Project Paper related to Cyber Security for academic and industry purposes.
- Students complete an extensive project under supervision, and the project may involve working with an external organisation or relevant industry partners.
- Deliverables can include a prototype, simulation, or framework, alongside a project paper and a publishable conference/journal paper summary.
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory core modules | Information Security Design | 6 | 18 |
| Data Analytics in Cyber Security | 6 | |||
| Cyber Security & Threats | 6 | |||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory core modules and selected elective modules | Security Operations Center & Incident Response | 6 | 24 |
| Advanced Ethical Hacking | 6 | |||
| Advanced Digital Forensics | 6 | |||
| E-Investigation | 3 | |||
| Network Design & Performance | 3 | |||
| Semester 3 | Research and project | Research Methodology in Computing & Engineering | 2 | 3 |
| Project Paper | 1 | |||
| Total | Compulsory core modules, electives, Research Methodology in Computing & Engineering, and Project Paper | 45 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You gain advanced, industry-relevant security capabilities through core modules covering incident response, security operations, advanced ethical hacking, and advanced digital forensics.
- You become job-ready for roles such as Cyber Security Analyst/Consultant, Information Security Analyst, and Incident Response Consultant by learning practical operations and investigation workflows.
- You build technical depth for engineering careers through topics such as Information Security Architectures and Network Design & Performance in the elective options.
- You strengthen your industry profile with research and project-based learning, including a Project Paper that can involve relevant external organisations or industry partners.
- You develop specialist credibility through a dissertation-style technical project that prepares you to act as a subject matter expert in cyber security.
- You can progress into senior responsibility roles such as Cyber Security Manager, Information Security Manager, and Security Architect as your experience grows in the field.
Employability rate
For Malaysia, graduates of cyber security master-level programmes typically see an employability rate of about 85% and an unemployment rate of about 15%, reflecting ongoing hiring demand for qualified security analysts, incident responders, and security engineers.
Together, these figures point to a generally stable outlook for cyber security careers in Malaysia, especially for graduates who build practical incident response and security operations experience during the programme.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | International applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) for master’s admission. APU lists options including a Computing-related bachelor with CGPA and also notes that applicants without a Bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security or Forensic Computing may need to pass prerequisite modules to continue with the master’s programme. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science & IT | Direct match | If your bachelor is in Cyber Security or Forensic Computing you can follow the standard pathway; if your computing background is missing or your bachelor is not in Cyber Security/Forensic Computing, APU states you may need prerequisite modules (Cyber Security and Digital Forensics) to continue. |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet the programme English requirement. APU states an IELTS requirement for international students, and also provides an English-language exemption for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English or from English-speaking countries.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 45800 / total program | Total for international students: RM45,800 (fees exclude deposits and other miscellaneous fees, and exclude the 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by the Malaysian Government). |
Proof of financial resources
International students typically need to demonstrate sufficient funds for tuition and living costs as part of the student-pass and visa process. APU’s international application procedure also includes a pre-arrival payment and visa processing steps through EMGS.
- Pre-Arrival Application Processing Fees payment is required immediately with acceptance (APU indicates RM 3,600).
- Prepare proof of funds for the overall study cost plan as required by Malaysia student pass/visa processing.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | June - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | April 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | July 15, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | June 12, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | June - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | June - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Request an offer letter
Submit your international application to APU with your chosen programme and intake date. APU’s process includes sending your complete documents for eligibility review. If documents are complete, APU states you will normally receive results within 2–3 working days.
Confirm admission and pay the pre-arrival fee
If you meet the eligibility criteria, APU issues a Letter of Offer. APU states that to enable student visa processing, you must confirm enrolment and pay the pre-arrival application processing fees of RM 3,600 immediately along with the required documents. Along with the payment and offer acceptance, APU lists items such as passport photographs and certified academic documents.
EMGS student pass processing
After APU receives your complete documents together with the international student visa and application fees, APU submits your application to EMGS. APU indicates this may take about 2–3 weeks on receiving complete documents and payment, and advises submitting application forms at least eight weeks before intake to help ensure early approval. During processing, APU advises students to avoid entering Malaysia before the visa process is completed to reduce delays.
Student visa approval letter and travel readiness
When your visa approval letter (VAL) is approved, APU states you will be notified and you can download the VAL through the EMGS website. APU states that students must obtain a Single Entry Visa and that the student pass approval letter is generally valid for six months from issuance. APU also advises planning travel carefully so you arrive not later than one month before the e-VAL expiry and not earlier than two weeks prior to the course commencement date.