BSc (Hons) in Cyber Security

Why choose this course?

Our Cyber Security degree is industry-focused, ensuring you have the tools and techniques needed to meet the growing national skills gap in this sector. You will acquire the practical skillsets to counter emerging threats, and to maintain the overall security of a system whilst learning through immersive and gamified environments.

You will:

• Benefit from an inclusive and friendly environment
• Have the opportunity to undertake placements.
• Benefit from guest speakers due to strong industrial links that support the degree.
• Be studying a degree that is mapped to the CyBok Framework (Cyber Security Body of Knowledge) to ensure that you cover the variety of topics that underpin the cybersecurity profession aligned with best practices and industry needs.
• Obtain the skills and knowledge across a range of security domains and skills including but not limited to design, policy, compliance, and risk. All these aspects underpin the knowledge and skills to help protect us all from cyber threats.
• Gain experience by working with a variety of teams both within cyber security and across the wider computing subject area, all whilst having an opportunity to network with peers and follow your chosen Learning pathway

What You Will Study

Year 1 (level 4)

Level 4 Contains Essential Fundamental Material that is Relevant to All of Our Computing Programmes. You Will Learn Both Subject-Specific Skills and transferable Skills Which Will Increase Your Employability Prospects.

With the Support of Your Tutors, You Will Learn About Some of The Essential Facts, Concepts, Principles, and Theories Relating to Computing and Computer Applications. You Will Be Able to Demonstrate Skills that Underpin Good Practice in The Field of Computers and Computational Methods, E.G. Laboratory Tasks Involving the Creation of Simple Programs and The Use of Operating Systems.

This Will Help Develop Your Understanding of Hardware Issues, Including Interfacing and Data Communications, and Their Impact on The Overall Design and Performance of Computer-Based Systems.

• Network Fundamentals
• Information Security and Governance
• Applied Computational Methods
• Network Defence
• Programming Fundamentals
• Computer Systems and Architecture

Year 2 (level 5)

Level 5 Continues Teaching You the Fundamentals of The Discipline, and More Specialist Modules Start to Be Introduced. You Will Also Undertake a Group Project Where You Will Gain Important Skills in Project Management Techniques and The Professional and Ethical Issues of Project Management.

You Will Also Deepen Your Knowledge and Understanding of Computing Concepts and Approaches for Complex Problems Through the Application of Several Existing Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Learning and Optimisation Targeting Real-World Problems.

• Cyber Operations
• Secure Software Development
• Cloud, Distributed Architecture
• Ethical Hacking
• Systems Engineering and Project Management
• Group Project

Year 3 (level 6)

Once You Reach Your Final Year, You Will Further Develop Your Skills Through Taught Modules and Research, with A Focus on The Latest Developments in Your Chosen Discipline.

You Will Also Undertake an Individual Final Year Project, Which Will Help Prepare You for The Kind of Tasks and Situations You May Encounter in The Workplace. The final Year's Practical and Project Work Will Further Develop Your Analytical Skills Through the Analysis and Appraisal of Current and Emerging Technologies, Taking Into Account Their Impact on Society.

• Digital Forensics
• Cryptography and Defensive Systems
• Security Optimisation & Automation
• Threat Detection and Incident Response
• ProjectPart-time students Will Cover the Same Modules, but Their Diet Will Vary Depending on Their Availability to Attend the Scheduled Classes.

The Information Listed in This Section Is an Overview of The Academic Content of The Programme that Will Take the Form of Either Core or Option Modules. Modules Are Designated as Core or Option by Professional Body Requirements and Internal Academic Framework Review, so May Be Subject to Change.

Key course features

• Hands-on teaching of a range of cybersecurity skills, techniques, and tools, such as cryptography, authentication, access control, viruses and malware, penetration testing, risk management, and forensic investigation.
• Extensive PC and networked computer facilities with internet access.
• The course team has strong links to the North Wales Cyber Security Cluster, an industry-led forum for cybersecurity practitioners and employers, and students in the program have opportunities to attend and be involved with their meetings and events.
• We offer a wide range of services to help you find the right placement, including work-based learning support career advice, and fairs. But it’s also up to you – the more proactive you are about applying for placements, the better.
• This degree will provide an opportunity to participate in the CISCO Academy Programmes and qualify for CISCO accreditation.

On successful completion of the degree, graduates can gain employment in jobs such as, but not limited to:

• Cyber Security Engineer
• Penetration Tester
• Security Analyst
• Security Engineer

Our Careers & Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills, and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice, and guidance you need.

Cyber Security is a great career to enter right now, as there is a high demand for professionals with these skills. Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow more than 30 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the average for other occupations. Most recruitment managers emphasize graduate skills for entry-level candidates whereas the more technical skills are typically learned on the job.

Is programming required for cyber security? While many entry-level cybersecurity positions do not require programming skills, it is considered an essential skill for some mid-level and upper-level cybersecurity jobs.

Along with the technical skills, you will also develop your transferable and employability skills including:

• Adaptability - Cybersecurity trends are constantly evolving, and one of the biggest challenges is dealing with the unknown;
• Interpersonal and communication skills - It's important to remember that cyber security does not exist in isolation. Your teamwork and project management skills will develop through your taught program and also through extracurricular engagement.

Teaching & Assessment

Teaching

The computing program suite utilizes a variety of industry-standard tools and software in combination with several teaching methods designed to deliver industry-relevant skills and empower students to take their work further where applicable. All Staff members have embraced the active learning framework (ALF) and there have been several enhancements to teaching and learning.

Assessment

The program team takes a balanced approach to assessment strategy concerning group work and individual development opportunities. Extensive use of the JIRA project management cloud platform is used to track student progress towards goals and milestones. This has proven to be a beneficial tool concerning personal development and critical time management skills.

Where applicable, assessments are linked to real-world projects or based on current industry trends and issues. In addition, project modules serve as a platform for enterprise activities.

Personalised Support

The Computing department at the university employs a long-standing open-door policy, and actively engages with students, alumni, and industry using our online Discord community. Additional tools such as Teams and Moodle provide core information and methods of contact. All students are also allocated a personal tutor who is encouraged to meet regularly and extra personalized support is provided for all part-time students on VLE.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making, and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognized prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.