Cyber Security

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

• 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.

As businesses and the public sector increasingly generate and rely on data to function in today’s interconnected digital economy, they need strong cyber security professionals who can enhance cyber resilience, help prevent cyber attacks and mitigate the economic impact of cybercrime, both in the UK and worldwide.

This hands-on Cyber Security course aims to equip you with the knowledge, technical competencies and out-of-the-box thinking skills needed to meet the cyber security demands of the information age.

You’ll learn to identify and mitigate cyber threats using a range of investigative techniques, systems, policies, sources of cyber intelligence and response strategies.

Cyber attacks will continue to evolve and increase. We teach you how to think like your adversaries – a mindset that will leave you better prepared for the threats of tomorrow.

Professional Placement Year

A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team.

Course Modules

In year 1 you develop core skills in programming and learn about key topics in cyber security. You’ll gain knowledge of the computer industry to better understand the sector; for example, you’ll explore programming and web development so that you can better defend digital platforms.

You’ll learn cyber security fundamentals, with modules covering topics such as intrusion detection and prevention. You’ll use cybercrime analysis tools and techniques as part of an exploration of Computer Forensics.

Year 2 begins with a focus on software, as you extend your practical understanding of programming and investigate ways to enhance the resilience of computing tools. An optional software project management module provides a wide skillsbase for a range of careers in tech. Following this, you shift attention to the analysis and mitigation of cyber threats, where you’ll learn how to detect and react decisively to intrusions.
You’ll 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.

In your final year you’ll explore the wider context of cyber security. First, you’ll take an in-depth look at cyber law, cybercrime and the judicial system, before interrogating methods of protecting national-level critical services such as water, transport and power.

Modules in cyber offence and defence cover the techniques and policies needed to defend business IT systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks.