BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-15 | - |
Program Overview
Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics BSc (Hons)
Overview
This course is excellent preparation for jobs in cybersecurity and digital forensics, which is a rapidly growing area given the rise in computer-related crime. At the same time, the course also covers all the fundamentals of computing, leaving your career options open.
Course Structure
Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, and laboratory sessions. You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on group projects.
Year 1 (national level 4):
- Software Engineering (20 credits): Explore a wide range of software engineering techniques and industry practices, designed to promote the production of high-quality, efficient, reliable, and secure software.
- Computer Systems, Architectures and Networks (20 credits): Gain an overview of how a computer works, from the moment it is switched on.
- Introduction to Programming (20 credits): Learn about the fundamental programming concepts, including how to write computer programs using a high-level programming language such as Python or C#.
- Full Stack Development (20 credits): Explore both front-end and back-end web development, and use frameworks to create a fully dynamic web application.
- Specialist Project (20 credits): Explore and develop an individual project based around your preferred area of study.
- Emerging Technologies (20 credits): Delve into the emergence of novel tools and techniques within computer science.
Year 2 (national level 5):
- Advanced Programming (20 credits): Propose solutions to programming problems through OO software design modeling, using UML diagrams, notations, and techniques.
- Cybersecurity (20 credits): Analyse security principles and the core technology used to enforce and maintain security of data and computer systems.
- Enterprise Project (20 credits): Participate in the organising, running, controlling, and monitoring of a team tasked to produce a computer-based solution to a client-posed problem.
- Secure Networks (20 credits): Gain a substantial understanding of key network security principles and methods.
- Digital Forensic Computing Practice (20 credits): Delve into forensic techniques, including the examination of Windows, Unix, and Macintosh.
- Virtualisation and Cloud Infrastructure (20 credits): Gain knowledge of a range of cloud models, and analyse these in relation to realistic scenarios.
Optional placement:
- Industrial Placement (120 credits): Spend 48 weeks on placement working within the industry.
Final year (national level 6):
- Project (40 credits): Articulate an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of your chosen research topic.
- Cyber Threat Landscape (20 credits): Gain a holistic understanding of the cybersecurity threat landscape, and of cyber risk assessment and management.
- Web Application Security (20 credits): Understand the most prevalent web application vulnerabilities, their causes, and their consequences.
- Digital Forensic Investigations (20 credits): Discuss and investigate advanced applications in computer forensics.
- Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking (20 credits): Evaluate the technical, legal, and business issues involved in developing, implementing, and testing secure systems.
Facilities
This course is based at the David Goldman Technology Centre, a high-tech computing environment with strong links to software companies and a constant exchange of ideas and people.
Entry Requirements
Our typical offer is:
- Irish Leaving Certificate: 120 UCAS points – Students must have H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths & English.
- QQI/FETAC 5: Pass profile overall. For entry, we also require H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths and English from Irish Leaving Certificate.
Fees and Finance
The annual, full-time fee for this course is:
- £9,535 if you are from the UK/Europe
- £16,500 if you are an international student
Career Ready
This course has a strong emphasis on real-world learning that boosts employability and equips you to make a bigger contribution in the workplace.
Graduate Success
In your final year of the course, you'll undertake a major individual project with research-active staff. This adds to your hands-on experience and, in some cases, leads to a job offer that can be taken up as soon as the course ends.
Our graduates have gone on to become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts, and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways, and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over £50,000 a year.
Program Outline
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Course structure
Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions. You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on group projects.
As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing opportunities for feedback and consolidating your learning.
Previous
Year 1 (national level 4):
Software Engineering (20 credits)
Explore a wide range of software engineering techniques and industry practices, designed to promote the production of high-quality, efficient, reliable, and secure software. Examine how software is created and the various stages of the software development lifecycle, together with consideration of social, ethical, professional, and legal issues. Evaluate software products to ensure that they are functioning correctly, and conclude their strengths and weaknesses.
Computer Systems, Architectures and Networks (20 credits)
Gain an overview of how a computer works, from the moment it is switched on. Explore what happens inside the machine, including how computers process input, generate output and store data. Install and configure a modern operating system, and troubleshoot hardware and software problems using real equipment and simulations.
Introduction to Programming (20 credits)
Learn about the fundamental programming concepts, including how to write computer programs using a high-level programming language such as Python or C#. Develop an understanding of debugging techniques to find and resolve defects. Select and implement appropriate structures for file handling, data manipulation, and error handling within a program.
Full Stack Development (20 credits)
Explore both front-end and back-end web development, and use frameworks to create a fully dynamic web application. Consider the development of the modern web and review the underlying technologies and standards. Create programs that run on a live web server and use a modern programming language.
Specialist Project (20 credits)
Explore and develop an individual project based around your preferred area of study. Work directly with subject specialists in workshop-style sessions to explore your specialism. Appreciate the social, ethical, professional, and legal issues as they apply to computer-based systems.
Emerging Technologies (20 credits)
Delve into the emergence of novel tools and techniques within computer science. Discuss the potential impacts of a range of emerging technologies on industry and society, including virtual and augmented reality, drone technology, cryptocurrencies, wearable technologies, and cybersecurity. Consider the issues associated with end user adoption of new and emerging technologies.
Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our
Help and Advice article
.Read more
Year 2 (national level 5):
Advanced Programming (20 credits)
Propose solutions to programming problems through OO software design modeling, using UML diagrams, notations, and techniques. Apply advanced OO programming constructs to the development of professional-standard software. Select appropriate software design patterns, data structures and algorithms to provide efficient solutions to complex programming problems.
Cyber Security (20 credits)
Analyse security principles and the core technology used to enforce and maintain security of data and computer systems. Investigate case studies of cyber security incidents relating to businesses, where social factors such as social engineering, oversharing, and phishing attacks have played a major part. Design and create a secure system.
Enterprise Project (20 credits)
Participate in the organising, running, controlling, and monitoring of a team tasked to produce a computer-based solution to a client-posed problem. Respond to client analysis and feedback to progress and complete your prototype solution. Appreciate enterprise approaches for software project determination, selection, development, implementation, and criteria-based evaluation.
Secure Networks (20 credits)
Gain a substantial understanding of key network security principles and methods. Develop the practical skills needed to implement and support a complex network infrastructure with regard to security. Evaluate a system to a given set of network security requirements.
Digital Forensic Computing Practice (20 credits)
Delve into forensic techniques, including the examination of Windows, Unix and Macintosh, covering boot disks, file systems, an overview of digital evidence processing tools, data recovery, file traces, system registry, log files, Internet traces, web browsing, e-mail, network traces and network storage. Understand digital evidence and how the interpretations of that evidence can be obtained from computer forensics investigations. Apply the appropriate legal and procedural issues and be aware of the documentary and evidentiary standards in presenting investigative findings in a court of law.
Virtualisation and Cloud Infrastructure (20 credits)
Gain knowledge of a range of cloud models, and analyse these in relation to realistic scenarios. Explore best practices within cloud computing, as well as Development Operations (DevOps). Examine various Linux environments and design, configure and utilise Linux tools and technologies that are relevant to cloud infrastructure.
Read more
Optional placement:
Industrial Placement (120 credits)
Spend 48 weeks on placement working within the industry. Refine, plan, schedule and produce an individual project based on your experience. Critically reflect on the skills and experience gained as part of your placement.
Final year (national level 6):
Computing Project (40 credits)
Articulate an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of your chosen research topic. Develop your professional skills, such as problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, self-reflection, and time management. Collect, organise, and present your body of work, including a critical evaluation and correct citation and reference of appropriate research sources.
Cyber Threat Landscape (20 credits)
Gain a holistic understanding of the cyber security threat landscape, and of cyber risk assessment and management. Research, investigate and analyze the cyber security incidents, threats, and vulnerabilities that make up the cyber threat landscape, both in terms of recent emergent issues and those issues which recur over time. Work with case studies to investigate the security strategies employed by a company, and then recommend applicable policies and frameworks.
Web Application Security (20 credits)
Understand the most prevalent web application vulnerabilities, their causes, and their consequences. Study the methodologies for testing for evidence, vulnerabilities within applications, and protection against these. Utilise the techniques of ethical hacking to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications.
Digital Forensic Investigations (20 credits)
Discuss and investigate advanced applications in computer forensics such as employability, payment card industry, e-disclosure, social media, internet crime, malware & spyware, network forensics, and mobile phone forensics. Build your knowledge base to include essential areas such as the process of identifying, preserving, analysing, and presenting digital evidence. Consider the ethical and professional dilemmas facing computer forensic practitioners and cyber security investigations.
Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking (20 credits)
Evaluate the technical, legal, and business issues involved in developing, implementing, and testing secure systems, considering the potential security threats. Critically analyse the trade-offs of balancing key security properties: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Examine the specific threats to networks, the architecture for secure networks (for example OSI security architecture), and the development and design of defense mechanisms and countermeasures.
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University of Sunderland
Overview:
The University of Sunderland is a public university located in Sunderland, England. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university has a strong focus on providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for its students.
Services Offered:
The University of Sunderland provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Academic Support:
Access to libraries, learning resources, and academic advisors.Student Support:
Counseling, mental health services, and disability support.Accommodation:
On-campus and off-campus housing options.Career Services:
Career guidance, job search assistance, and internship opportunities.Student Life:
A vibrant student union, clubs, societies, and social events.Student Life and Campus Experience:
The university boasts a diverse and inclusive campus community where students can connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Students can participate in extracurricular activities, engage in personal and professional development opportunities, and enjoy a vibrant social scene.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Top-Quality Facilities:
The university has modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, sports facilities, and dedicated learning spaces.Inclusive Culture:
The university fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.Vibrant City:
Sunderland is a dynamic city with a rich history and a low cost of living.Strong Industry Links:
The university has strong connections with local businesses and industries, providing students with valuable career opportunities.Academic Programs:
The University of Sunderland offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Arts and Design:
Fashion, Photography, Fine Art, and Graphic Design.Sciences:
Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, and Biology.Business and Law:
Business Management, Finance, Law, and Tourism.Computing and Engineering:
Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.Education and Social Sciences:
Education, Psychology, and Social Work.Other:
The university has campuses in Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong, offering students a global learning experience. It is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Entry requirements
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade - SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement | GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1250/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 3 subjects) ACT (score of 30+) |
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our
ONCAMPUS page
.If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at
for further advice.
If English is not your first language, please see our
English language requirements
.
Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.
English language qualifications:
We accept a wide range of English language qualifications. The standard of English language required varies between courses so please check each course page carefully.
If English is not your first language you should have at least one of the following qualifications (or equivalent) as a minimum.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
You need an overall score of 6.0, with at least 5.5 or higher in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) will also be accepted if the applicant’s element scores are equivalent to those required for IELTS. After 6 April 2015, you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the
UKVI website
.
Pearson Test of English Academic
You need an overall score of 59 with no less than 59 in each skill.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
You need grade C or above.
Cambridge Certification in Advanced English (CAE)
You need grade C or above.
O-Level English Language or GCSE English Language
You need grade C or above (UK Exam board).
Malaysian SPM 1119
You need grade 6 or above (only grades 1, 2 or 3 are acceptable for Law).
Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II
You need Merit or Distinction.
Degree in English
If you have another qualification not listed above, contact the International Office for advice. If you do not have the necessary level of English you may need to take one of the University's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) University Preparation Courses before you begin your course.
