Cyber Security BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses

Cyber Security student working in a study group

As a result of the continuing digital revolution, computer systems are involved in just about every aspect of modern life.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

Course code

I107 / I106

Start date

January 2025
March 2025
May 2025
June 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

As the number of mobile users, digital applications, and data networks increase, so has the number of potential risks and threats, resulting in the need for talented professionals to secure and protect systems and data.

Our Cyber Security BSc (Hons) course is designed to produce high quality graduates who can contribute effectively in one of the highest growing sectors in the UK. The course offers real-life tools and challenges, giving you the opportunity to become an independent learner through practical projects and advanced teaching methods.

Why CU Scarborough

We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone and our courses cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.

What you'll study

This course examines the principles and threats which underpin computer systems, networks and the software development process. Throughout the programme you will become competent and confident in a range of prevalent topics, such as operating systems, network security, programming language, penetration testing, ethical hacking and more.

Year one introduces you to the core fundamentals that underpin computing science. You will explore the importance of IT security, and the risks posed to computer systems globally. In addition, you will develop your professional problem-solving skills, as you understand the basic principles of programming. Most of the modules in this year contain a practical element, so that you receive the best combination of theoretical and hands-on learning. Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Computing Science.

Modules

Networking - 30 credits

This introductory module aims to provide knowledge of key networking and computer architectures. Focusing on the origins, structure and fundamental components of a computer network, you will gain foundational knowledge of relevant technologies including wireless, wired and optical computer networking. This includes access controllers, hubs, transceivers and more.

Compulsory

Operating Systems - 30 credits

In this module, you will learn basic operating system concepts including processes, memory management, drivers and file systems, while examining security risks and security management strategies. You will also examine favored operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Mac OSX, with a focus placed on the Linux operating system.

Compulsory

Information Security - 30 credits

Here you will cover the prevalent issue of IT security and risk. You will critically analyse risks a computer may face, from viruses to computer hacking. Exploring the pros and cons of ethical hackers, website hacking and internet security, you’ll aim to gain specialist knowledge of legal, social, ethical and professional issues associated with cyber security.

Compulsory

Problem Solving and Programming - 30 credits

Basic problem solving and algorithm design techniques will be studied in this module, alongside programming and programming language concepts. You will learn the syntax and semantics of a high-level programming language (e.g. Python) and the basic principles of developing well engineered software and the supporting tools and techniques.

Compulsory

Building on knowledge gained in year one, this year is aimed at building your skillset to an advanced standard. You’ll aim to develop object-orientated analysis, design and implementation skills as you explore complex subjects such as cryptography, digital forensic science and algorithms. Towards the end of the year our skilled lecturers work with you to refine transferable employability skills, as you prepare for a career in computing as a global citizen. Students who successfully complete year two are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Cyber Security.

Modules

Cryptography - 30 credits

In this module you’ll study the methods and use of cryptography at two levels. Firstly, you will be introduced to cryptographic primitives and their use in developing secure systems. Secondly, you will be given the opportunity to use current implementations of crypto-based security systems for applications such as signing websites and encrypting emails.

Compulsory

Computer Forensics - 30 credits

You will develop the skills necessary to gather, analyse and evaluate digital evidence by deploying digital forensic science techniques. The processes of forensic investigation and incident response will be studied, along with the application of digital investigation and evidence recovery techniques within a UK legal framework.

Compulsory

Algorithms and Data Structures - 30 credits

In this module, you will extend your programming and algorithm design skills and gain the ability to structure and manipulate intricate data sets through extensive work with complex programs. In addition, you will refine object-oriented analysis, design and implementation skills and learn to effectively utilise libraries, components and supporting tools.

Compulsory

Communications and Collaboration - 30 Credits

In preparation for the final year project, this collaborative module aims to enhance your skillset by developing key skills such as communication, team working, co-operation and collaboration, project planning, commercial awareness, cultural awareness and distributed working. In addition, you will develop the critical thinking, research, academic and professional writing skills required as a reflective practitioner.

Compulsory

An optional placement or sandwich year gives you the chance to gain further insight into the industry or career you are seeking to follow, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace. You can also choose to take an optional year abroad between years two and three. If you decide to take advantage of a placement year this version of the degree will help you acquire valuable work experience and gain an understanding of what employers seek in graduates. It is your responsibility to find a placement with an employer within your chosen sector. The careers and employability department, alongside the course team, will support you throughout your placement year.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depending on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student². Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module ² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

In the final year of study, you look at complex subjects such as The Internet of Things and The Underlying Principles. You will analyse and evaluate potential risk and exploitation in secure programming and assess a range of issues such as buffer overflows and how to mitigate a number of security risks. Finally, you’ll get the chance to demonstrate your skills in a number of independent projects, taking charge of processes from inception to delivery. Students who successfully complete year three are awarded a BSc (Hons) degree in Cyber Security.

Modules

Secure Programming - 30 Credits

In this module, you will study advanced programming techniques specifically aligned to developing secure software. A detailed understanding of potential security risks and flaws in software should be developed, along with knowledge on how these flaws and areas of exploitation can be mitigated via defensive means.

Compulsory

Internet of Things - 30 credits

The underlying principles, technologies and architecture of wireless sensor networks will be examined in this module along with current practical applications and future trends. You will critically evaluate the security, privacy and trust implications of IoT technology and explore the approaches and mechanisms that mitigate security risks.

Compulsory

Contemporary Issues in Computing - 30 credits

This unit focuses on a range of contemporary and emerging technologies, applications and professional issues in computing. Throughout the module, you will engage with research and advanced practice literature with the aim of extending and broadening your subject knowledge. There’s a focus on professional, ethical, business and societal issues, through an international lens.

Compulsory

Project - 30 credits

You have the opportunity to focus on an area of interest within the field of Cyber Security , which may be aligned to your future career interests. Throughout the project, you will need to demonstrate research, problem solving, design and development skills, through practical implementation, investigation (possibly including the gathering and analysis of secondary evidence) and evaluation.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three-year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field².

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. Additional support is available via email and our online learning platform.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.

You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your feedback will refer to each outcome and your academic skills, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from module to module, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and may include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, laboratory experiments, tutorial tasks and assessments, which take place during each six-week block.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Entry level	What we're looking for
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer a number of programmes to help you secure a place. Successful completion of one of the below programmes guarantees you a place on a degree course with us, subject to meeting specified criteria.

Access to HE Course

If you undertake an Access to HE course, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off. For full information and to check your eligibility visit www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Entry level	What we're looking for
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

All HNC/Degree courses require at least two A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

CU Scarborough welcomes international students from all around the globe. If you are an international student and are interested in applying for a Foundation Year, HNC, HND or Degree course you can do so by completing our online application form.

Once your application form has been processed you will receive the outcome of your application via your given email address.
Please be aware you will need the following information in order to make your application:

Be trained to English language proficiency level IELTS 6.0
All academic transcripts
Copies of degree/diploma certificates or work reference if employed
One academic reference
Your personal statement
Copy of your current passport

Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Tuition Fees

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£7,950 per year	Not available
EU	£7,950 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,300 per year	Not available

If you choose to do a work placement², you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee³ of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees³:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

We’ve spent £14 million on a brand new campus building. It’s a purpose-built, state of-the-art development that is one of the most modern facilities⁴ in the UK.

It includes a library, IT suites, mock law court, engineering and science labs, cafe and lots of individual and group study spaces. Next to us is Scarborough’s new leisure village. The complex includes an Olympic legacy swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite, all weather pitches and the new Scarborough Athletic football ground.

Careers and opportunities

Overall, the cyber security course at CU Scarborough provides students with a strong foundation in cybersecurity, industry-relevant skills, work-based learning, and career guidance. While we cannot guarantee specific careers or opportunities, the course prepares students for a variety of cybersecurity roles and provides them with the tools they need to succeed in the industry

An important vocation in the modern digital age, Cyber Security professionals work with creativity and analytical thinking to understand how systems can be broken, protected and used.

A career in cyber security is challenging, dynamic and highly transferable, meaning graduates may have the opportunity to work internationally throughout their careers as there is a recognised global demand for trained specialists.

Cyber security is a rapidly growing market, with plenty of scope to develop a very lucrative career. Graduates from this course can enter a number of specialisms, such as a Cyber Security Consultancy, Software Developer/Programming, Cyber-Crime Investigation or Digital Forensics Analysis.

Where our graduates work

GCHQ, Severfield, Askew Brooks

How to apply

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

ukadmissions.cu@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International students should apply directly to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

cus@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.