5 Tips to Prepare for SUTD Masters of Science in Security by Design (MSSD)
Here might be some thoughts on your mind right now:
- I want to do a Masters program in Cyber Security
- I believe Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)’s Masters of Science in Security by Design would be a suitable and ideal Masters program that I would want to pursue
- I don't know how to prepare for it
Fret not! Whether you are an undergraduate or a working professional, this article will help you to prepare!
In this article, I’ll be going through 5 tips:
- Education
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Interest/Motivation
- Learn to code
- Interview Round
Without any delay, lets start!
1. Education
From SUTD MSSD’s website, they mentioned the following:
An applicant should possess:
a. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or any branch of engineering; or
b. A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with two years ICT industry experience.
Sorry arts or business students! You can still apply but the chances are really slim.
For those with related discipline in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), you will definitely stand a higher chance. To boost your chance further, your best bet will be at least a honors classification on your Bachelors degree as well. I believe SUTD admission committee looks at the applicant holistically, so those without a honors classification, can use your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Statement of Interest/Motivation to boost your chances. I will explain in details in next sections of this article.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
SUTD requires you to send in your CV, so here some tips to craft your CV for the Masters programme:
- If you are still graduating from your Bachelors programme soon, ensure that you did some kind of tech internship or some tech related projects.
- Show some cyber security application in your work or projects. I mean this is a cyber security Masters degree, so it would be better to show some motivation or passion in learning and applying cyber security concepts.
- If you have attained or currently doing any cyber security certifications, then you should showcase in your CV as well. This will show your enthusiasm to learn cyber security.
3. Statement of Interest/Motivation
Personally, I think that this is one of the more crucial parts of the application documents. Obviously, I can’t share my statement of interest/motivation with you but I can give some tips on writing a decent statement:
- You should include the introduction to the statement of interest/motivation. Your introduction should consist of a summary of your education and your desire/motivation to study cyber security.
- You should describe what you have learnt from your Bachelors programme. If possible, emphasize on cyber security modules or classes and how you have applied them in your course work.
- If you are working professional, you should describe how you have applied cyber security in your line of work. If possible, describe how and what you have applied cyber security in technical details.
- If you do not come from a cyber security background, describe how and what you have done to learn about cyber security in your free time. This shows your passion and motivation.
- Finally, finish off the statement with what you will do after you have attained or achieved this Master degree.
4. Learn to code
This section is important. Coding will be tested as part of an technical assessment. Failing this technical assessment would decrease your chances significantly. But do not fret, the technical assessment would not be a Google/Facebook level problem soling based coding test. This technical assessment will test on your logic and general programming competencies. If you are not familiar with programming at all, I suggest that you start reading up on Python programming, C++ programming and Java Programming. These language are supported by the admission committee.
5. Interview Round
If you have made it through the technical assessment and you get a chance for a virtual interview with the programme director, here are some tips to prepare for it:
- read up on fundamentals of computer networking
- read up basic cyber security concepts
- practice mock interviews with family or friends
Hope these tips can serve you well. Good luck for your interviews! Peace! ✌️
