Cyber Security and Forensic Computing [with Foundation Year] [with Placement year]

Peterborough is a globally recognised ‘smart city’ with a gigabit network, located in Cambridgeshire, the home of ‘Silicon Fen’ a centre for high-tech companies; what better place to kick-start your career in the IT-sector than at ARU Peterborough on our Cyber Security and Forensic Computing degree course?
As more of our lives move online, cyber security and forensic computing has become an increasingly important area of expertise. Our full-time, 5-year BSc (Honours) Cyber Security and Forensic Computing degree with a foundation year and a placement year, is designed to equip you with a solid, employability-focused overview of this fascinating and constantly developing discipline. Upon graduation you will be prepared for your first professional role or to continue your studies, should you so choose.

During your first year you will study Literacies in Higher Education, Introduction to Life Sciences, Contemporary Issues and Into ARU, to prepare you for studying at degree level. Then in year 2 you’ll learn critical skills in networking technologies, as well as the tools and methodologies required to ensure that systems are protected from cyber-attacks. You’ll also develop knowledge in the field of digital forensics, taking a hands-on approach to how computer systems can be forensically analysed for evidence and how this evidence can be presented. Modules in ethical hacking and cryptography will deepen your expertise to prepare you for a career in exciting field of computer science.

Courses at ARU Peterborough are designed to help you become a life-long learner, ready to pivot in your career and respond to changes in this fast-moving industry. When you graduate from this course, you will have developed your powers of autonomous and analytical thinking, learned the essential skills valued by employers in the IT sector and have experienced multi-disciplinary team-working which mirrors real-world industry standards.

On this course you’ll spend lots of time in our dedicated computing labs in our brand new, purpose-bult university building, in the heart of Peterborough. You’ll learn on industry-standard equipment and software on a course that we co-created with regional employers, so you can be confident that you’ll graduate with the skills in-demand in the sector.

You won’t only learn from your tutors, but enjoy guest lectures, live briefs and team projects. Delivering your work in a range of formats, including presentations, will help you develop the confidence and communication skills that can give you an edge in your future career.

Year 1:
Core modules

Contemporary Issues
Extended Project
Literacies in Higher Education
Into ARU

Year 2:
Core modules

Programming Fundamentals
Relational Database Development Fundamentals
Computer Systems and Networking Fundamentals
Web Development Fundamentals

Year 3:
Core modules

Network and Operating Systems
Becoming an IT Professional
Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Network and Cyber Security Management
Digital Forensics and the Digital Footprint
Team Based Project

Year 4:
Core modules

Professional Portfolio (Computing)

Year 5:
Core modules

Preparing Digital Forensic Evidence
Future Tech and Development
Cryptography and Information Security
Ethical Hacking
Computing Major Project