Master Digital Forensics (full-time)

English programme

Duration: 1 year
Start: 1 September
Enrol: before 15 August
Master of Science

Requirements and enrolment

Studenten en docenten doen opdrachten in de klas bij Forensisch ICT aan Hogeschool Leiden

Our digitally transformed world creates many new opportunities for misconduct. Criminals are rapidly shifting their field of activity to the digital domain providing a growing need for trained forensic IT specialists who can act quickly and effectively in digital forensic investigations.

Portret still van video over HSD Campus Hogeschool Leiden in lokaal met computers op achtergrond

HSD Campus - Digital forensics en e-discovery (video in Dutch)

For who?

The full-time Master Digital Forensics is a one-year programme aimed at students with a bachelor's degree ICT with the specialisation Forensic IT or an equivalent professional degree in the field of ICT who are interested in continuing their studies and specialising in Digital Forensics.

You are directly admissible with a bachelor’s degree ICT with specialisation Forensic IT from Leiden University of applied Sciences. For bachelor students Informatics, Computer Science, ICT or Bio-informatics we offer the minor "Digital Forensics". This minor serves as a pre-master's track for the Digital Forensics master's degree. Students who successfully complete the minor and their bachelor's degree can directly start their master's degree in Digital Forensics.

If you have a professional degree equivalent to a bachelor's in the field of Computer Science, ICT or Informatics there may be the option to follow a pre-master's programme to meet the necessary prerequisites. Please complete the intake process to determine if you qualify for the pre-master programme.

What kind of education can I expect?

The master programme is designed to immerse you in the dynamic and rapidly evolving field of Digital Forensics. We focus on:

Advancing your technical skills in modern-day digital forensics and investigations.
Acquiring the necessary management and communication skills required to perform forensic investigations.
Preparing you for the technology paradigm shift towards IoT forensics.
Learning how to use analytics, AI, and ML methodologies, and applying forensic frameworks to manage large-scale investigations.

Open Day

14 December 2024

During the Open Day you receive detailed information on the programme structure, admission requirements and intake process, along with an opportunity to address any questions you may have!

Study programme

Throughout the course, you will explore a range of key subjects essential for mastering the Digital Forensics discipline, such as:

Digital Forensic Principles
Computer Forensics
Research Methodology
Law, Ethics & Governance
Data Analytics
Mobile Forensics
Network and IOT Forensics
Malware Analysis

We will combine theory and practice.In the Practical Laboratory Project you will learn to design and build a complex IT system in a laboratory setup. You will perform experiments on this set up, doing digital forensic research. At the end you write a short scientific research paper about your research results.

The master programme is completed with your Master Thesis, where you'll dive into a research project on a topic of your choice related to Digital Forensics or E-Discovery, presenting your findings and contributing to advancements in the field.

Digital Forensics Lab

The research group Digital Forensics & E-Discovery has opened a laboratory on the campus of The Hague Security Delta (HSD) for digital forensic research. The Digital Forensics Lab has specialized equipment, knowledge and (digital forensics) software. You will be able to use this environment for research and to carry out practical projects and assignments.

Currently studying?

If you are currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree Informatics, Computer Science, ICT or Bio-informatics from another university, there is the option to enrol in the minor Digital Forensics at Leiden UAS (www.kiesopmaat.nl). Your bachelor's degree with successful completion of the minor Digital Forensics provides admission to the master's programme.

Graduated?

If you have a Bachelor’s degree ICT with the specialisation Forensic IT from Leiden UAS, you are directly admissible.
If you have a professional degree equivalent to a bachelor's in the field of Computer Science, ICT or Informatics, you may have the option to take a pre-master’s programme to meet the necessary prerequisites. Please complete the intake process to determine your eligibility for the pre-master's programme.

Please note: Minimum level B2 English (CEFR) is also an admission requirement.

Are you currently studying hbo Informatics, Computer Science, ICT, or Bio-informatics, and are you interested in specialising in Digital Forensics?

Leiden UAS offers the minor "Digital Forensics". This minor serves as a pre-master's track for the Digital Forensics master's degree. Students who successfully complete the minor and their bachelor's degree can directly start the master's degree in Digital Forensics.

The minor starts in period 3 (February 2025). You can find more information and apply on the website Kies op Maat: Kies op maat - Minor Digital Forensics (registration is now open). If you are currently a student at Leiden UAS, you can find more information on mijn.hsleiden.nl (minors). You can register from 23 September 2024 in Osiris. The deadline to enrol is 18 November 2024.

Marja Krosenbrink

Programme Manager Master Digital Forensics

[email protected]

071 518 88 00

Something for you?

Checklist

You have a Bachelor’s degree ICT with specialisation Forensic IT or you have a Bachelor’s degree Informatics, Computer Science, ICT or Bio-informatics and succesfully completed the minor "Digital Forensics" from Leiden UAS.
You have a minimum proficiency level of B2 in the English language according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (pdf) A minimum of 5,5 (passing grade) on your havo/vwo exam English is sufficient.