Master in Cybersecurity Engineering

General Objectives of the Course

Aligned with European and international initiatives such as the EU NIS2 Directive and the US Cybersecurity Information Act, the
course provides specialized training in cybersecurity, supporting the growth of the digital economy, the preservation of privacy and
the fight against cybercrime and cyberterrorism. The contents follow the Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines (ACM/IEEE/AIS
SIGSEC/IFIP) and the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF) from ENISA. This cycle of studies promotes skills to:
• Design, implement and evaluate IT security solutions.
• Understand technological, human and organizational aspects in IT security contexts.
• Assume roles in the area of IT security, including positions such as Information Security Officer, with the ability to perform strategic
and operational responsibilities.
• Integrate and lead research teams and projects, as well as conduct autonomous work, generating innovative solutions in IT
security.

Admission Requirements

Only candidates with a proven minimum prior professional experience of five years can apply, under the following additional terms:

a) Holders of a Bachelor’s degree or legal equivalent in: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Communications and Multimedia, Informatics and Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering;

b) Holders of the Bachelor’s degree or legal equivalent in other areas of Engineering and Exact and Natural Sciences;

c) Holders of a foreign academic degree that is recognized by the Research Department of Computer Science to meet the objectives of a degree in the areas mentioned in the previous paragraphs;

d) In justified cases, holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized to attest the capacity to complete this cycle of studies by the Scientific Committee of the Department of Computer Science.

Applications submitted in any criterion with a score lower than 9.5 points will automatically be rejected.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

The course's career opportunities will be mostly in medium and large companies and multinationals in the ICT, telecommunications, healthcare, consulting, banking and services sectors in the European Area, where the demand for skills in the area of IT security is increasing and there is significant shortage of professionals with the required competences. The course is aimed at developing or deepening technical skills relevant to the job market, providing students with a specialization that allows them to achieve new roles in the company. Additionally, it is intended that, within the scope of the Project or Dissertation curricular units, students integrate business or research team contexts, respectively. In the second case, they will have the opportunity to participate in projects (namely European projects), thus promoting scientific employment and the transition of students to the 3rd cycle of studies. Fostering the innovation market in the Central Region and at a national and European level, through the creation of innovative products and the creation of spin-offs in the area of IT Security, will be another professional opportunity for students on the course.

Mode of Study

Distance Learning (DL)

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Specific evaluation rules are established for each curricular unit according to the UC+s Academic Regulation, the final grade being an integer in the range 0 to 20. For approval in a given curricular unit a final grade equal to or higher than 10 is required.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
• Understand the context of IT security.
• Identify potential IT security risks.
• Manage IT security risks.
• Know privacy preservation and data security techniques.
• Apply privacy preservation and data security techniques.
• Plan secure software and infrastructure.
• Evaluate IT systems from a cybersecurity perspective.
• Manage IT systems from a cybersecurity perspective.
• Perform IT audit activities.
• Support IT audit activities.
• Design mitigation and response strategies for cybersecurity incidents.
• Know the fundamentals of forensic analysis in computer systems.

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Jacinto Paulo Simões Estima
jacinto.estima@gmail.com

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Decree-Law no. 74/2006, March 24th, amended and republished by the Decree-Law no. 107/2008, June 25th, and the Ordinance no. 782/2009, July 23rd.

Graduation Requirements

Obtain approval in all courses in the curricular plan, corresponding to 60 ECTS.

Access to Further Studies

The successful completion of the course will provide access to 3rd cycle courses, namely the PhD in Informatics Engineering of DEI / FCTUC by checking the specific access rules such study cycles.

Study Programme

Cybersecurity Engineering

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Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 1 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 60.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

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Applications

Call for Applications

• 2nd Cycle Course

• Application submission
• Web page with information for candidates

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Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior

2026-07-31 a 2032-07-31

Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior

2025-10-28

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Documents