Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £12,120 for the course
International/EU: £19,225 for the course -
How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Gain practical and theoretical skills for advanced computer networks.
- Design, implement, secure and manage enterprise networks.
- Use the latest networking and security devices in our specialist labs.
- Follow the latest Cisco Networking Academy requirements.
- Prepare for the latest CCNP certification.
MSc Advanced Computer Networks is a technical course aimed at networking and security enthusiasts aspiring to work with the high-end technologies of enterprise networks. Experience or working in computer networking is desirable but not essential. You’ll be preparing to tackle the challenges of the ever-evolving world of computer networking and security.
An attempt at the 300-401 ENCOR: Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies) is included in your course fee – as well as the Enterprise Concentration exam 300-410 ENARSI: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
As a Cisco Networking Academy, our MSc Advanced Computer Networks course has been specially designed and is regularly updated to include materials to reflect current and evolving trends in computer networks and security.
You’ll develop hands-on practical skills in designing, implementing, managing and troubleshooting enterprise networks. We’ll emphasise network security and cyber operations, preparing you to protect and secure infrastructures. The course also covers network automation and software-defined networking (SDN).
You’ll further develop your understanding in the field through a research-based dissertation – on either an industry project or a network infrastructure case study. This will allow you to further specialise your expertise in the discipline, with support from an academic supervisor.
You learn through:
- Engaging small group lectures
- Interactive tutorials
- Hands-on practical lab work uTesting and troubleshooting complex network models with
- Using industry-recognised simulation platforms
- Research informed by real-world practice
- Individual and group projects
- Collaborative teamwork in enterprise network projects
- Industry-focused field trips
Key themes
A key focus of the course is to prepare you for the latest industry-standard Cisco certification exams while you develop the critical and analytical skills required for the challenges faced in today's complex enterprise network infrastructures. This includes developing your knowledge and applied skills in topics such as advanced switching, routing and core enterprise technologies, network troubleshooting, network design and management, network automation and software-defined networking, network security and cyber operations.
For example, as part of core enterprise technologies, you’ll learn how enterprise networks use multiple service providers to achieve high availability and scalability of internet access. This is done by learning how border gateway routing protocol (BGP) works and can be optimised to a particular scenario. You’ll also learn how to implement path control using policy-based routing (PBR) and IP Service Level Agreement (SLA).
During another key element of the course, you’ll create your own complex enterprise-scale network from the ground up to mirror or solve a real-world enterprise network challenge. You’ll be using industry-recognised platforms, including EVE-NG (provided by our industry partner CloudMyLab) and CML (Cisco Modelling Lab). You’ll build the network – we’ll then break it and you’ll need to troubleshoot and fix it.
Course leaders and tutors
Siavosh Haghighi Movahed
Senior Lecturer in Computer Systems and Networks, Course leader for MSc Advanced Computer NetworksSiavosh teaches computer networking, network security, network design, network troubleshooting and virtualisation at both MSc and BSc levels
Applied learning
The course is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering a range of opportunities for you to engage with real-world scenarios and industry professionals.
Work experience
You’ll have the opportunity to go on a work placement for up to 12 months, where you’ll apply academic theory and your skills in a real-world setting. This hands-on experience will enhance your professional development and help you to make informed career choices after graduation. We’ll support you to source a placement that is relevant to your course. Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported to reflect on your experience and contribution to the organisation you work for. You'll also share your progress and achievements with your Placement Academic Supervisor as part of your final assessment.
Students from this course have been to work placement with companies such as:
- Frasers Group
- Cisco Systems
- NHS
- PlusNet
In addition, the transformative impact that a placement can have on personal and professional development can be further enhanced through the completion of Sheffield Hallam’s Applied Professional Diploma. The Applied Professional Diploma is a qualification that demonstrates the learning you have gained from the placement, and it is undertaken while on placement not during the normal academic class time.
On the Work Experience route, you’ll complete an additional placement preparation program that introduces you to the UK employment landscape and prepares you for the recruitment and assessment activities you will experience when applying for placement opportunities.
Live projects
We believe in learning by doing, soyou’ll take part in live projects that simulate complex networking scenarios. These projects might involve collaborating with industry partners – or replicate a ‘real-life’ networking scenario – offering you practical insights and problem-solving skills that are directly transferable to your future career.
Previous students have designed and tested complicated Dual-Home Dual-Cloud Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN) solutions, ensuring highly available internet connectivity across multiple sites.
The research conducted during your dissertation project has the potential to result in publications in well-known conferences and journals, providing opportunities for further education at the PhD level.
Networking opportunities
The course provides a unique blend of academic and practical exposure by integrating guest lecture talks and networking opportunities within the curriculum. This offers insights into the practical application of cutting-edge networking technologies and best practices.
In addition to our guest speakers, you’ll have the chance to network with alumni who have developed successful careers in senior roles. They can offer valuable insights and mentorship opportunities to inspire you as the next generation of network professionals.
Field trips
The course features informative field trips, such as data centre visits. Here you’ll observe enterprise networking operations and infrastructure first-hand, with detailed explanations provided by experienced network engineers.
This enables you to explore new networking and security innovations, understand emerging technologies, and engage with leading industry experts and professionals.
Competitions
Our course includes a student competition as part of your group working projects.
Competitions like these are great ways to network, and culminate with a prestigious prize awarded from our industry partners. For instance: CloudMyLab’s award to the best project – recognising and celebrating outstanding achievement in the field of advanced computer networks.
Future careers
We’ll equip you with the skills needed to tackle professional certifications – such as the ‘Cisco Certified Enterprise Network Professional’ certifications – while concurrently advancing your career through a masters degree.
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Enterprise networking (routing, switching, wireless and design)
- Network automation and assurance
- Systems and networking engineering
- Network virtualisation and cloud
- Network infrastructure
- Network and IT management
- Technical solutions architecture
- Network security
- Wireless engineering
- Cybersecurity
- IT consultancy
- Sales engineering
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Cisco Systems
- SHI International Corp
- Frasers Group
- Sky
- NHS
- BT
- PlusNet
- Citrix
- CACI
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Computing facilities tour
Take a look around the facilities and equipment in the Department of Computing at Sheffield Hallam University.
Equipment and facilities
Our specialist networking labs have cutting-edge Cisco equipment available year-round – including modular Cisco Enterprise switches, routers and chassis with line cards, supervisors and network modules. These provide hands-on experience with the latest in switching, routing and security, including:
- Catalyst 9300 series switches
- Catalyst SD-WAN 8200 series routers
- Cisco C9300-NM-8X (10 Gigabit) and NIM-LTEA-EA (Wireless Cellular)
- Security appliances such as Cisco Fire Power FW-1120 and ASA-5516
- Wireless and VOIP devices such as Cisco Wireless LAN Controller CT-3504
- Virtualisation platforms including VMWare Workstation/ESXi
- 24/7 remote access to industry-leading simulation/emulator platforms such as Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) and EVE-NG Pro
Entry requirements
All students
You typically need:
• A good level of general education with good analytical skills.
• A degree 2.2 or above in computing or a closely-related discipline.
• Cisco CCNA certification or equivalent networking experience.
You will also be considered for entry if you do not have the standard entry qualifications, but can provide evidence of necessary knowledge and skills to successfully enter and complete the course. You may be asked to attend an interview. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more.
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Advanced Switching And Routing
Enterprise Network Infrastructure And Troubleshooting
Network Design And Automation
Network Security And Cyberops
Postgraduate Work Experience Applied Professional Diploma
Final year
Compulsory modules
Dissertation For Cyber Security And Computer Networks
Research Methods And Strategies
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £12,120 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. For this work experience route, your fees will be payable over two years, divided into two annual payments based on credits studied. The fee includes dedicated employability support to help you prepare for and secure work experience. It does not guarantee you a placement and if a placement is not secured the work experience fee will still be charged. If a placement is not secured you will transfer to the standard version of the course to complete your remaining credits, where the balance of your course fees will be due in year one in line with completing the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £19,225 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. For this work experience route, your fees will be payable over two years, divided into two annual payments based on credits studied. The fee includes dedicated employability support to help you prepare for and secure work experience. It does not guarantee you a placement and if a placement is not secured the work experience fee will still be charged. If a placement is not secured you will transfer to the standard version of the course to complete your remaining credits, where the balance of your course fees will be due in year one in line with completing the course.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for School of Computing and Digital Technologies (PDF, 131.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
