Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Cyber Security with Foundation Year

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University is the ideal course if you are interested in this subject but lack the necessary qualifications to study it at degree level.

Why Study This Course?

• State-of-the-art computing facilities with specialist computer forensics software
• Practical, hands-on experience incorporated into modules wherever possible
• High-quality teaching from staff involved in internationally recognised research
• Graduates increasingly in demand as IT security problems escalate
• Strong links with local and national organisations including Xyone Security, Fujitsu, IBM, Eutechnyx, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
• A general and broad-based Computing foundation year to prepare students for higher study
• Opportunity to undertake a 12-month paid industrial work placement

About the Course

LJMU has a growing national and international reputation for its research into cyber security, and this expertise ensures the degree is at the leading edge of developments in this discipline. The demand for suitably qualified professionals is increasing as IT security problems escalate, so you should enjoy excellent career prospects after graduation.

Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Cyber Security honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year, you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

BSc (Hons) Cyber Security Degree

Information technology has transformed the way in which commerce and industry operate, but it has also provided criminals with a new way of committing crime, either against the computer itself or the information it holds. Major organisations are therefore increasingly reliant on dedicated information security professionals to protect sophisticated computing systems against the threat of cyber-crime. This course provides you with the skills to plan and implement cyber security systems, developing competence in technical areas like ethical hacking, cryptography, and software development, together with an understanding of ethical and privacy considerations.

Course Modules

Foundation Year

• Algorithms and Computing (10 credits)
• Foundation Mathematics for Engineering and Technology 1 (20 credits)
• Programming (10 credits)
• Personal, Academic and Skills Development (20 credits)
• Information Systems Development (20 credits)
• Creative Computing (20 credits)
• Applied Computing (20 credits)

Level 5

• Introduction to Programming (20 credits)
• Computer Systems (20 credits)
• Professional Practice (10 credits)
• Data Modelling (10 credits)
• Introduction to Computer Forensics and Security (20 credits)
• Problem Solving for Computer Security (20 credits)
• Introduction to Web Development (20 credits)

Level 6

• Group Project (20 credits)
• Database Systems (20 credits)
• Operating Systems (20 credits)
• System Penetration Testing (20 credits)
• Secure Software Development (20 credits)
• Information Security Management (20 credits)

Optional Modules

• Sandwich Year - Computer Security (120 credits)
• Study Year Abroad - Computer Security (120 credits)

Professional Accreditation

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support: 15 hours per week in the classroom, with more informal lab sessions, online activities, and small-group tutorials.
• Assessment: Combination of coursework and exams, plus an independent final year project.
• Facilities: State-of-the-art computing facilities with specialist computer forensics software.

Career Paths

• Information security analyst
• Cyber security consultant
• Network or system administrator
• Software or web developer
• Data analyst
• Data recovery
• Data mining
• Police force intelligence officer
• Guiding cyber security initiatives
• Computer forensic analyst
• Network security management
• Education provision
• IT project manager

Tuition Fees and Funding

• Home: £9,535 per year
• International: £18,250 per year
• Placement year: £1,905 (home), £3,830 (international)

Entry Requirements

• Grades/points required: CCD - CCC (88 - 96)
• GCSEs and equivalents: Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/Numeracy.
• A levels: CCD-CCC
• BTECs: Extended Diploma: MMM (96)
• Access awards: Pass overall with a minimum of 88 points.
• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
• IELTS: 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5.

How to Apply

• UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses.
• Further information on the UCAS application process can be found on the UCAS website.