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Master's Specialisation in Cybersecurity


Cybersecurity plays a pivotal role in the ongoing growth and adoption of the information society while also serving as a fundamental research area within computer science. With increasing media attention on cybersecurity challenges in recent years, the significance of this field is evident.

Specialisation's Objective

Cybersecurity is a broad field encompassing areas such as cryptography, software security, data privacy, system security, network security, and more. This specialisation emphasizes deep technical and theoretical expertise across these domains. It is grounded in the department’s strong research, particularly in cryptography, programming languages, semantics. Gaining a deep technical understanding of cybersecurity requires knowledge of various techniques, including classic cryptographic tools like signatures and encryption, but also more advanced cryptographic protocols for modern decentralized systems such as secure multiparty computation, zero-knowledge proofs, etc. It also involves a deep understanding of system security and cryptographic engineering, including protection against side-channel and fault attacks, as well as the study of secure software for prevention of security bugs and malware via program analysis and software verification.  

Why specialise in Cybersecurity? 

Have you heard about major data breaches like the Equifax hack, which exposed millions of personal records, or the WannaCry ransomware attack, which disrupted hospitals, businesses, and governments worldwide? Closer to our home, Mærsk and Demant, two of Denmark's leading companies, fell victim to cybercrime, suffering a combined loss of 2.5 billion DKK. While the financial impact is staggering, these incidents highlight a critical reality. Cyber threats like these highlight the urgent need for secure digital infrastructure. How can we protect sensitive information, build trust in online systems, and design security from the ground up? Cybersecurity tackles these critical challenges, making it one of the most important and rapidly evolving fields in computer science today. 

What Makes Aarhus University Stand Out for Your Education?

  1. Among the top in the world: 2nd in Cryptography, 5th in Programming Languages, 17th in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and 42nd in Algorithms and Complexity. 

  2. Computer Science department at Aarhus University is known for its world-class research. The university collaborates with leading tech companies and research institutions. 

  3. Aarhus is a vibrant, student-friendly city with a high standard of living, great cultural life, and a strong international community

  4. Excellent career opportunities for graduates from the department of Computer Science. 

    • During your studies: Each year, Aarhus University hosts Katrinebjerg Karrieredag (Kdag) at the Department of Computer Science, providing students a unique opportunity to connect with top companies and secure their dream job in the tech industry, as our specialisations are highly sought after across industries, from corporate and government sectors to academic research. Other than this, student job service for international students via Tech Hub Aarhus – many student relevant jobs in companies like Danske Bank, Salling Group etc.

    • After you graduate:

      PhD studies: Following the BSc program or after the first year of the MSc program you can apply for admission to the PhD program in computer science.
      Industry: Huge demand for CS graduates in the Aarhus region. There are many software companies or general companies with large IT departments in Aarhus and in Denmark, e.g. Cryptomathic, Partisia, Sepior, Concordium, Chainalysis, etc.


Brief Study Plan

  • Students should do at least 60 ECTS within the core courses.
  • The thesis must be written within the research area of the specialisation.​
  • The different specialisations have different requirements.​
  • Project work and prerequisites might count as a core course.

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Please note that details regarding general programme structures and brief study plans are subject to change and are not legally binding. Only the official regulations and study plans are authoritative. 

Explore our complete course offerings.

Core Course

These courses are designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required for success in the cybersecurity field.

FALL

SPRING

Advanced Topics in Cybersecurity* (10 ECTS) 

Cryptologic Protocol Theory **​ (10 ECTS) 

Cryptographic Computing **​ (10 ECTS) 

Systems Security (10 ECTS) 

Cryptology**  (10 ECTS)  

Language-based Security  (10 ECTS) 

Formal Software Verification​ (10 ECTS) 

Program Analysis  (10 ECTS)  

Quantum Information Processing​ (10 ECTS) 

(*) New Project course offered in 2025
(**) Cryptology is prerequisite for Cryptologic Protocol Theory and Cryptographic Computing 

  Supplementary Courses

Ready to deepen your knowledge? Our supplementary courses offer students the opportunity to broaden their expertise in related fields.
Students may also select elective courses from computer science department or from other departments, provided they are relevant to their area of specialisation.

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SPRING

Program Logics (10 ECTS) Algorithmic Model Checking (10 ECTS)
Advanced Topics in Programming Language Theory (10 ECTS)
Indledende Algebra 1+2 (5 +5 ECTS)***

(***) Only offered in Danish

Learn more about the programme structure and the courses offered within the specialisations and course packages.  
See more details about the master's degree programme in Danish or English

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