Program Overview
Year of entry
- 2025 - for 2026 entry see here - for 2025 entry see here
UCAS code
- I190
Duration of study
- 3 years or 4 years with international or placement year
Course summary
Traverse the complexities of the digital landscape while defending against cyber threats. Our Computer Science (Cyber Security) programme combines a solid grounding in computing, mathematics, and programming with exploration and application of specialist topics including risk analysis. From acquiring sought after employability skills, to the option of spending time in industry, you will graduate with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to pursue a career across a variety of sectors.
Why study Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Keele University?
- Accredited by the British Computer Society - The Chartered Institute for IT
- Develop sought after technical skills including Python programming and databases
- Gain hands-on experience of the theoretical and practical fundamentals of cyber security
- Graduate with a named specialism on your degree to highlight your skills to employers
- Enhance your employability with professional skills and the option to spend time in industry
Computer Science (Cyber Security) at Keele
Explore this course
Course overview
From ransomware attacks to internet fraud, cybercrime is a rapidly growing global issue, making this specialisation highly sought after in industry. By following the Cyber Security pathway through the degree programme, you will learn how to identify the major types of cybercrime, implement counter-measures to protect against them and explore laws relating to the major forms of cybercrime and cyber security. You will also learn the cyber security competencies required to protect information systems from unauthorised access, harm or misuse and gain practical experience of the theoretical and practical fundamentals required in this field.
Course structure
Our research-focused programme provides a robust grounding in computational problem-solving, programming and fundamental mathematics to equip you with the skills needed for further study.
In later years you will build upon these foundational topics, in current and emerging areas of Computer Science, including data science, artificial intelligence, graphics and game development, digital forensics, and software engineering.
Throughout the programme, you’ll engage with real-world scenarios to enhance your learning. You can spend time in industry with a year-long or modular placement, develop professional, and employability skills and pursue a personal interest in computer science by proposing a project that showcases your knowledge and skills.
You will also have the opportunity to personalise your degree, by choosing from a variety of optional modules. This gives you flexibility to explore new topics or deep dive into areas you are passionate about.
In your final year you will unleash your creativity and undertake a substantial piece of research, applying theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills to a cyber security-related technical, software, research or business-related problem. Your final year project is an excellent opportunity for you to draw together skills in experimental study design, critical interpretation of data, presentation and project management.
Next steps
- How to apply
- Visit us
- Contact us
Related courses
- Computer Science
- Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
- Computer Science (Digital Forensics)
- Computer Science (Games)
- Computer Science (Software Engineering)
- Computer Science with Integrated Master's
- Computer Science and Mathematics
- Computer Science and Music Production
- Neuroscience with Artificial Intelligence
- Physics with Artificial Intelligence
Accreditation and professional recognition
- Accredited by the BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT
- BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT is a professional body which accredits computing and IT courses in the UK.
- The accreditation provides an indicator of quality to employers and offers a pathway to professional registrations such as CITP (Chartered IT Professional), CEng (Chartered Engineer), IEng (Incorporated Engineer) and RITTech (Registered IT Technician).
- This accreditation is on the condition that a student must pass the final year project at 40% or above.
Course structure
Modules for Computer Science (Cyber Security)
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are subject to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Introduction to Programming
- Computer Systems and Fundamentals
- Mathematical Foundations of Computing
- Introduction to Algorithms
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Professional Practice in Computing
Optional modules
- Cybercrime
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Database Systems
- Web Technologies
- Data Science Techniques
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Software Engineering
- Computational and Artificial Intelligence I
Optional modules
- Individual Study Topic in Computer Science
- Computer Graphics and Animation
- Computer Games Development
- Flexible Work Placement (Level 5)
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- Computer Science Project
- Cyber Security
Optional modules
- Machine Learning Applications
- Advanced Programming and Software Design
- Software Development Management
- Programming for Virtual Worlds
- Professional Experience in Education
- Flexible Work Placement (Level 6)
- Advanced Databases and Applications
- Communications and Networks
- Advanced Web Technologies
- Computational and Artificial Intelligence II
- Data Ethics and Security
Entry requirements
These are the typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If your qualifications aren't listed, please contact us to check if we can accept them. If you don't think you'll meet the stated requirements, you may be able to access this course via a Foundation Year.
Typical offer
Please ensure you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and/or English language requirements.
- A Level: BBB Subject specifics apply
- BTEC: DDM Subject specifics apply
- T Level: Merit Subject specifics apply
International Baccalaureate Diploma
- 555 in three Higher Levels or 30 points
- 554 including 5 in Maths (any) or Computer Science or 29 points including 5 in Higher Level Maths (any) or Computer Science
English language requirements
All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students. For students who require a test, this course requires a result from Group A.
Alternative and contextual offers
We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications.
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Facilities
Computational teaching takes place in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories (CSL) and the Colin Reeves Building, home to the School of Computer Science and Mathematics. During your studies you will have access to a suite of facilities including seven computer labs, a high-performance cluster of computers (used for research and projects), a Jupyterhub server (used to write Python code off-campus) and a dedicated gaming lab (The Overclockers Lab).
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year
- UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval).
- International: Band 1, £17,700 for the 2025/26 academic year
Please note, our 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set. We set our fees on an annual basis and they will be updated here once set.
For Home students, the University's fees are regulated by the UK Government and may be subject to change in subsequent years of your course in-line with government policy or legal requirements. For continuing international students, fees will increase annually by RPI, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
For details of our international fee bands visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page.
Supporting you
Throughout the programme, we will give you plenty of support and guidance, so you can reach your full potential. From an academic mentor to module leaders, our open-door policy makes it easy to reach us when you need help.
Your future career
You will graduate with a wide variety of subject specific and transferrable skills across many areas including problem solving, computational thinking, team working, management and modelling.
By following the cyber security pathway, you will learn competencies required to protect information systems (hardware, software and associated infrastructure), the data on them, and the services they provide, from unauthorised access, harm or misuse. You will develop practical experience of the theoretical and practical fundamentals of cyber security, as well as other important areas such as legal, management, crime, risk, social and human factors.
The opportunities for graduates with computing skills are continuously growing. Many of our graduates move into employment that is directly computing-related, whilst a number of graduates go on to study for higher degrees in a wide range of subject areas.
Jobs that a graduate of this course may pursue include:
- Consultant
- Cyber security analyst
- Data scientist
- Information systems manager
- Research scientist
- Software engineer
- Web/App developer
Please note you may need to take further postgraduate study to enter some of the professions listed above.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching
We embrace a modern approach to learning that includes a balanced mixture of immersive lectures and lab-based sessions. Each taught module will include traditional lectures with support material provided via our virtual learning environment. Our labs also offer remote accessibility.
You will also benefit from a variety of teaching and learning activities informed by and involving our partners from industry. This includes a series of guest lectures from organisations such as Microsoft, the BBC, and CapGemini, as well as grouped and individual projects potentially involving real-world data from industry.
Teaching methods include; traditional lectures, practical sessions in our state-of-the-art computer laboratories, tutorials, web-based learning and group projects.
Assessments
Our assessments often connect to the real-world working environment, putting your understanding of the subject matter to the test in real-life situations. Assessments include examinations, class tests, coursework, short reports, dissertations, project reports, oral and video presentations.
Research
Keele is at the forefront of research and our academics in Computer Science are internationally recognised leaders in research on synthetic biology, wearable technologies, health and cultural informatics, responsible artificial intelligence, computer vision, evolutionary robotics, automata theory, formal language, and theory of computation.
We focus on research that has the potential to create a significant impact on the computational understanding and engineering of complex systems, to improve people’s quality of life and to pave the way for world leading innovations that improve the security, reliability and quality of computing devices and services used in industry.
Keele is also in the unique position of hosting the first living laboratory for energy-efficient technologies: the multi-million-pound Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND). Our expertise feeds into modules in the latter years of your degree.
Research themes within our computer science division include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Future Systems
- Human-Centred Computing
- Theoretical Computer Science
Find out more about our computer science research.
Foundation year
Studying a Foundation Year, for whatever reason, offers an alternative route to Keele, and provides a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree. That extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, build your confidence.
Foundation year overview
Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete.
This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education.
On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.
Course content
Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.
This Foundation Year is a two-semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security). For example, Foundations of Computational Theory and Programming will introduce you to the key principles of Computer Science and programming, while Advancing Programming will allow you to hone these skills in an individual project, all of which will be useful in your degree and professional career.
You will develop new, flexible and abstract ways of thinking, which will enable you to use logic to solve problem-based activities. You will be introduced to key principles such as Boolean algebra, error control coding and the development of the modern computer, while also beginning to develop your skills in using high-level programming languages. In addition to subject-specific modules, you will complete a skills module, which will underpin your ability to communicate data and information accurately. Semester Two continues to build on your understanding of these techniques. Your programming skills will be further developed, while exploring new principles such as working for clients and designing interfaces. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.
Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.
Course structure
The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.
Semester one modules
- FYO-00211 | Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists | 15 credits
- FYO-00221 | Foundations of Computational Theory and Programming | 30 credits
- FYO-00187 | Academic Skills for Computer Scientists and Mathematicians | 15 credits
Semester two modules
- FYO-00233 | Advancing Applied Maths and Computing - Making Decisions | 15 credits
- FYO-00225 | Advancing Programming | 15 credits
- FYO-00235 | Advancing Applied Maths and Computing - Logic, Codes & Cryptography | 15 credits
- FYO-00227 | Advancing Computing: Client-Led Collaborative Design | 15 credits
Entry requirements
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application.
- 56 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification (such as an A Level, BTEC, Access Course, or T Level).
- Plus C in GCSE English / Level 2 Functional Skills English and C in GCSE Maths / Level 2 Functional Skills Maths.
How to apply
UK students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Foundation Year (UCAS code G401) through UCAS at https://www.ucas.com/
Direct entry students
If you are a UK student, already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.