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Cyber Defence & Intelligence

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 to 4 years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Ready to outsmart the threats others can't see? You'll learn how adversaries think, developing the skills to predict, hunt, and stop cyberattacks before they strike, protecting national security and critical digital systems.

Why study BSc (Hons) Cyber Defence & Intelligence at BU?

Shape your future as a defence-certified cyber specialist on this course selected and funded by the Office for Students (OfS), designed to develop the UK's next generation of cyber security professionals

Build advanced technical skills in systems engineering, defence simulation and modelling, and incident response, taking your expertise far beyond traditional cyber degrees

Our OfS-funded Cyber Competency Centre puts you at the heart of real-world cyber defence. Through government-backed investment, we've recreated authentic threat scenarios where you'll test your abilities in live cyber defence environments and threat scenarios

An optional placement year will connect you with major defence contractors and commercial security firms, giving you professional experience that will set you apart

You'll be ready for high-impact roles across the Ministry of Defence, national intelligence services, and global security organisations, equipped with the skills and real-world experiences employers are looking for.

Modules

Core Units in Year 1: Computer Fundamentals | Mathematics for Computing | Programming | Introduction to Cyber Security | Network Essentials | Computing and Society

Core Units in Year 2: Ethical Hacking | Machine Learning | Security Operations (SecOps) | Data Structures and Algorithms | Network and Cyber Management | Technological Innovations in Cyber Security

Final Year

Core Units: Cyber Threat Intelligence | Systems Engineering | Digital Futures | Individual Project

Option Units: Cybercrime | Human Computer Interaction | Deep Learning and Applications

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
I110
Institution code:
B50
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
104 - 120 points

104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

A level

104–120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two A-levels.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)

Access to HE Diploma

102 - 118 tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades

Scottish Higher

104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Scottish Advanced Higher

104–120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

An overall score of 28 - 31 points.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Extended Project

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma

Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)

OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

T Level
M

Merit, 120 UCAS tariff points.

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component of writing, speaking, listening and reading.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Please note that this information reflects historical entry requirements for UK 18-year-olds who pursued A level and BTEC qualifications. Please see the relevant course page of our website for the most up-to-date details on this course’s entry requirements and selection methods. Our offer-making process is based on your potential to succeed on your chosen course and considers a range of factors.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Clearing contact details

Future Students Enquiry Team

Start a Clearing application

Email:futurestudents@bournemouth.ac.uk

Phone:+44 (0)1202 966777

Course Clearing information

Additional information

Lines are open Monday-Thursday 09:00-16:30, Friday 09:00-16:00 | Thursday 13 August: Lines are open 07:00-20:00 | Friday 14 August: Lines are open 08:00-18:00 | Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August: Lines are open 10:00-15:00 | From Monday 17 August: Lines are open Monday-Thursday 09:00-16:30, Friday 09:00-16:00.

Course contact details

Future Student Enquiries

Enquiry form

Email:futurestudents@bournemouth.ac.uk

Phone:01202 961916

Bournemouth University

Talbot Campus
Fern Barrow
Poole
BH12 5BB

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