Program Overview

Cyber Security

BSc (Hons)

Overview

Learn to protect critical IT systems and become a highly employable expert with our Cyber Security degree.

What you'll learn

• Develop essential skills in cyber security and computer forensics in order to detect, defend and counteract cybersecurity threats.
• Design security measures and policies that can help protect businesses, individuals and critical infrastructure from cyber attacks.
• Build the knowledge, analytical mindset and problem-solving skills you need to launch a career in cyber security.

Course structure

Year one

• Develop core skills in programming and learn about key topics in cyber security.
• Gain knowledge of the computer industry to better understand the sector.
• Explore programming and web development so that you can better defend digital platforms.
• Learn cyber security fundamentals, with modules covering topics such as intrusion detection and prevention.
• Use cybercrime analysis tools and techniques as part of an exploration of Computer Forensics.

Year two

• Extend your practical understanding of programming and investigate ways to enhance the resilience of computing tools.
• Learn ethical hacking techniques: such as how to use penetration testing to probe for vulnerabilities so that you can make systems more secure and resilient.
• Analyze and mitigate cyber threats, where you’ll learn how to detect and react decisively to intrusions.

Year three

• Explore the wider context of cyber security.
• Take an in-depth look at cyber law, cybercrime and the judicial system.
• Interrogate methods of protecting national-level critical services such as water, transport and power.
• Cover the techniques and policies needed to defend business IT systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks.

Assessment

• Reports
• Presentations
• Set exercises
• Tabletop exercises
• Technical challenges
• Other practical tasks

Teaching methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Discussion forums
• Practical activities such as scenario simulations and technical tasks

Facilities and resources

• Knowledgeable staff and industry speakers
• Commons building
• High-spec computing labs
• Virtual Learning Environment
• Extensive libraries
• Software, creative, design and business skills courses via LinkedIn Learning
• Writing and Learning Centre
• English Language Unit

Opportunities

• Study abroad
• Professional placement year
• Careers in cyber security, such as:
  • Penetration tester
  • Cyber security engineer
  • Cyber security consultant
  • Systems administrator
  • Cyber threat intelligence analyst
  • Cyber security forensics analyst

Fees

• 2025 entry:
  • UK full time: £9,535
  • UK part time: £4,768
  • International full time: £17,670
• Professional Placement Year:
  • UK: £1,905
  • International: £3,534

Entry requirements

• A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred
• BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in any subject
• T Levels – grade Merit preferred
• International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required
• Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher)

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

• IELTS 6.0 – for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element

Related courses

• BSc Creative Computing
• MSc Cyber Security
• BSc Computing
• BSc Creative Computing (Web Technologies)