Master´s Programme in Information Security
Information security and cybersecurity are among the fastest-growing and most important areas within IT. Organisations and authorities are investing heavily in protecting their information and digital assets, and the demand for highly qualified security professionals continues to grow.
What makes our programme at Stockholm University unique is its interdisciplinary approach. Security is not only a technical challenge. It also involves people, organisations, law and society. Our students learn to work across this whole range: from writing security policies, working with governance, risk management and compliance, to developing secure software and understanding network and system security. Students also learn how information technology is used in criminal investigations, intelligence analysis and threat assessment, including digital forensics and methods for analysing social media and online communication.
Topics covered in the programme include information security and cybersecurity, network security, secure programming, organisational security, IT security policies, legal aspects of security, privacy and data protection, information security governance, digital forensics, intelligence analysis and threat assessment.
Our graduates work in both the private and public sectors, for example as CISOs, security analysts and consultants, or within law enforcement, defence and intelligence. Employers increasingly look for people who understand technology, organisation and policy, and our graduates bring all three.
Stockholm University pioneered academic research and education in information security in Sweden in the 1960s. Since then, the university has educated thousands of graduates who are now working in academia, industry and government around the world.
Changes to the selection process for autumn 2027
Please note that the selection process for autumn 2027 requires new supporting documentation. Follow the instructions under “How to apply” below.
You will find detailed course information, list of course literature, schedule and start date on the course information page at "Courses and timetables". Select semester in the drop-down menu and search by course name.
Courses and timetables
Programme outline
We approach the subject area from both the business side and the technical side. This master’s programme includes courses such as:
- Introduction to digital and information security
- Intelligence and security informatics
- Information security in organisations
- Network security
- Information security project management
- Legal aspects of information security
- Cyber forensics
The programme also includes studies relative to scientific communication and research methodology for computer and systems sciences, leading up to the independent thesis work in the final term before the graduation.
Year 1
1st Semester
Two alternatives, depending on the student’s previous background.
Alternative 1:
For students that do not have 90 credits in computer and system sciences, informatics or equivalent:
Mandatory courses 1 x 15 credits and 2 x 7.5 credits
Supplementary course in Computer and Systems Sciences 15 credits
Fundamentals of Information Security 7.5 credits
Information Security in Organisations 7.5 credits
Alternative 2:
For students with 90 credits in computer and system sciences, informatics or equivalent:
Mandatory course 3 x 7.5 credits
Digital Forensics 7.5 credits
Fundamentals of Information Security 7.5 credits
Information Security in Organisations 7.5 credits
Elective courses 1 x 7.5 credits
One from the following three courses:
Advanced Requirements Engineering of IT-systems 7.5 credits
Foundations of Data Science 7.5 credits
Enterprise Computing and ERP Systems 7.5 credits
2nd Semester
Mandatory courses 4 x 7.5 credits
Network Security 7.5 credits
Research Methodology in Computer and Systems Sciences 7.5 credits
Cyber Forensics 7.5 credits
Cyber Security 7.5 credits
Year 2
3rd Semester
Mandatory courses 3 x 7.5 credits
Intelligence and Security Informatics 7.5 credits
Legal Aspects of Information Security 7.5 credits
Information and IT-security Management 7.5 credits
Elective courses 1 x 7.5 credits
One from the following two courses:
Software Security 7.5 credits
Digital Forensics 7.5 credits
For this semester, you have the possibility to apply for exchange studies.
Exchange studies
4th Semester
This program starts each autumn semester.
Please note that it is only possible to apply for this programme in the first admission round (mid-October to mid-January). The programme is not open for admission in the second admission round.
Find answers to the most common questions regarding application, requirements and study format (distance or campus). FAQ Master's programmes
Selection process
Changes to the selection process for autumn 2027
Please note that the selection process for autumn 2027 requires new supporting documentation.
The selection is made from the following three criteria:
- Grades of academic courses.
- Relevance of previous studies in relation to the programme.
- A motivation letter. The motivation letter is included in a mandatory application summary sheet for each programme. Follow the instructions below.
Required supporting documentation
Instructions:
- Fill out the sheet pdf, 99.7 kB.
- Save the sheet as “SMINO_Application_Summary_Sheet.pdf”
- Submit the sheet together with your supporting academic documents at universityadmissions.se
Please note: if you are applying to more than one programme, you need to fill out and submit a separate sheet for each programme.
Degree
Find the degree awarded for this programme in the syllabus, either in the right sidebar (desktop) or below (mobile device).
Please note, that you can only be awarded one bachelor’s degree, one master’s degree (60 credits) and one master’s degree (120 credits) in computer and systems sciences from our department.
Research
Research subject at the department with relevance to the program:
Our graduates work in both the private and public sectors, for example as CISOs, security analysts and consultants, or within law enforcement, defence and intelligence. Employers increasingly look for people who understand technology, organisation and policy, and our graduates bring all three.
