Computer Network Administration and Management

Overview

Secure and streamline the computer systems that underpin businesses big and small with this practical MSc in Computer Network Administration and Management.

You'll study the principles and practice of systems administration and management, analysing and designing networks in our high-performance computing labs. You'll use our cloud server and virtualised machines as you explore the efficiency and security of your systems, and get insights into the practices of industry partners like Cisco with guest lectures and field trips to data centres.

When you graduate, you'll have the technical and problem-solving skills for a career keeping business running. Your study will help prepare you for industry qualifications, with module outcomes that get you ready for VMWare certification.

You can start this course in September or January (full time only in January).

The University of Portsmouth is ranked 5th of the modern universities for research quality in computer science and informatics: Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.

Course highlights

On this course you'll:

- Join an long-established and accredited course that's recognised by networking industries and major businesses, like HSBC and BAE Systems

- Get hands-on experience of configuring and optimising secure networks, and build client, server and middleware aspects of internet applications

- Have access to over 250 servers in our £1 million network laboratory, featuring the latest computer networks and communication systems

- Work on solving a significant communications system or network planning problem in your Master's project

- Use your learning toward professional certification, including VMWare certificates

- Learn from a close team of academics, visiting lecturers from industry partners, and field trips to active data centres

- Get a free hard drive to store your work on while you study

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (The Chartered Institute for IT), partially meeting the educational requirement for CITP.

Our Cisco Networking Academy blends face-to-face teaching with web-based curriculum, hands-on lab exercises, and internet-based assessment. Students can practice, experiment, learn and share their work using our bespoke networking labs equipped with the latest Cisco networking devices. The teaching is delivered by fully qualified Cisco Academy instructors.

Careers and opportunities

The interconnected business world increasingly depends on computer networks – global recruitment agency Robert Half finds that the UK had "more network engineer jobs than there are professionals to fill them" in 2022. With this Master's, you'll be able to show your fitness for senior roles in a industry already calling out for your professional skills.

You'll graduate with demonstrable expertise in the computer networking sector's systems and processes, with experience of industry-standard hardware. You'll have made senior-level industry contacts through your project, visiting speakers and your lecturers' consultancy partners, plus access to professional certification.

Beyond network management, you could work in an in-house accounting and finance system, a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), or a corporate-wide data system in an international organisation. You'll also be well-placed to follow an academic career by studying for a PhD.

Graduates of this course could go onto roles such as:
- Systems Administrator

- Systems Manager

- Network Designer

- IT Manager

- System Consultant

- University Lecturer or Researcher

Work experience and career planning

During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and our Careers and Employability Centre – which you can access for up to 5 years after you graduate.