Master in Informatics Security

The MSI aims to provide specialised training in Computer Security (Cybersecurity). In response to several international and European initiatives to strengthen skills in the area of cybersecurity (e.g. US Cybersecurity Information Act, EU Directive for Security Across the Union) as a way of supporting the growth of the digital economy, preserving citizens' privacy and combating and preventing cybercrime and cyberterrorism, the MSI has the following objectives:
— Complement 1st cycle training with skills in designing, developing and evaluating IT Security solutions;
— To update and specialise professionals already working in the IT Security field, namely the various positions in the Information Security Officer career;
—To provide advanced training in Computer Security for students with a scientific career who want to pursue doctoral programme studies.

The MSI's professional outlets will be mainly medium—and large-sized companies and multinationals in the ICT, telecommunications, consultancy, banking, and services sectors in the European Area. The need for computer security skills is increasingly pressing, and there is a great shortage of professionals with specific skills in this area.

Given the labour market orientation of the MSI and its after-school nature, it is intended that a substantial proportion of students will already be in the labour market, looking for a specialisation that will enable them to reach other positions within the company. It is also intended that MSI students join research teams as part of their dissertation/internship to participate in projects (particularly European projects), thus promoting scientific employment and students' transition to the third cycle of studies.

Another career path for MSI students will be nurturing the innovation market in the Centre Region and at national and European levels through the creation of innovative products and spin-offs in IT security.

Required Documentation

Workload and programmes of the curricular units already taken in the course of origin, if you want accreditation (MANDATORY, except if the course of origin is a course taught at the University of Coimbra under the Bologna Process (after 2007/2008));

Letter of Motivation; (MANDATORY)

Degree certificate with final average (diploma). If you want credit, you must include a certificate proving that you passed the course units taken, with the respective marks (transcript); (MANDATORY unless the course you are studying was taught at the University of Coimbra)

Curriculum vitae, in Europass format; (MANDATORY)

Simple photocopy of ID document (MANDATORY for international applicants only)

Official document issued by the institution awarding the degree, with the certified grade indicating the general coefficient of performance or weighted average (MANDATORY for foreign applicants only)

Simple photocopy of ID document (MANDATORY for foreign applicants only)

NOTE: Submitting the authenticated original documents is required for students placed for enrolment and registration and must be done by 31st December to complete the student's file. The documents referred to above must be recognised by the local Portuguese consular agent and/or legalised by the Apostille system under the terms of the Convention on the Abolition of the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Acts (better known as the Hague Convention), signed in The Hague on 5 October 1961, except documents issued by Higher Education Institutions in European Union countries. However, if there is any doubt about the documentation presented, any applicant may be asked to have the aforementioned documents recognised or to provide additional documentation. A translation must be provided whenever the aforementioned documents are in a foreign language other than Spanish, French or English. The translations must be duly certified by the relevant authorities.

Admission Conditions for Applicants

1. Applicants for access to the cycle of studies leading to a master's degree are:

a) Holders of a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Communications and Multimedia, Systems and Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering or in other areas of Engineering and Exact and Natural Sciences;

b) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree awarded following a 1st cycle of studies organised in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process in the areas referred to in point a);

c) Holders of a higher academic degree obtained abroad that is recognised as satisfying the objectives of a bachelor's degree by the FCTUC Scientific Council;

d) In duly justified cases, holders of a scientific and professional curriculum relevant to attending this cycle of studies and recognised as such by the FCTUC Scientific Council;

2. The recognition referred to in paragraphs b) to d) of no. 1 only has the effect of granting access to the cycle of studies leading to the master's degree and does not confer on its holder the equivalence to the bachelor's degree or the recognition of that degree.

NOTE: Applications assessed on any criterion with a mark lower than 9.5 will automatically be rejected.

Criteria for Grading Applicants

A. Quality of academic and professional career, (Weighting 4/6);
B. Commitment to the new course, (Weighting 1/6);
C. Duration of training at the University of Coimbra, (Weighting 1/6).

NOTE: Applications with a score below 9.5 in any criterion will automatically be rejected.

Other information

The application is subject to the payment of a fee of €50.00, which cannot be refunded, including in the event of invalidation of the application, non-placement or when the study programme does not open due to a lack of the minimum number of applicants.

For more information, please contact the Course Coordinator.

Recognition of Prior Learning

It is carried out in accordance with the regulations of the University of Coimbra, requiring a sufficiently solid background in Computer Science that is recognised as attesting to the ability to carry out this cycle of studies within the scope of the legislation in force. In particular, the University of Coimbra's Regulations on the Crediting of Previous Training and Professional Experience should be noted.

Tuition Fees/Price

National Student or equivalent: 2000€ (annual fee).
International student: €7000 (annual fee).

Learning/Evaluation Languages

Portuguese or English.

Qualification Legal Framework

Decree-Law no. 74/2006, of 24 March, amended and republished by Decree-Law no. 107/2008, of 25 June;
Ministerial Order no. 782/2009, of 23 July.