As companies increasingly look to defend themselves against cyber attacks, the number of job openings is growing rapidly. If you have an interest in latest technologies, a flair for problem-solving and a capacity for quick thinking, the BSc (Hons) Cyber Security with Foundation Year is a vital first step towards a fulfilling career.
Prepare for high-level roles in the drive to combat cyber crime
Gain all the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required by today’s cyber security professionals
Learn in the impressive setting of our new Network and Security suite
Take an optional industrial placement year which will stand you in good stead for securing a rewarding job on graduation
Get involved in exciting projects such as the ALICE experiment, on which we are collaborating with leading organisations at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research
Become a highly employable graduate – we are ranked 15th highest among all UK universities and 12th for English institutions, with 96% of graduates in work or further study within six months of completing their degree (HESA 2016)
You can also take the BSc (Hons) Cyber Security without a foundation year. Find out more.
Security is a vital requirement of computer-based systems. As the number of security-related incidents continues to grow, so does the demand for expertise in cyber security.
Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
High-level technical skills
Our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security prepares you to become a successful security specialist. You will study security policies, legal and regulatory requirements, risk and vulnerability assessment, security architecture and development, information assurance methodologies, ethical hacking and incident management.
We will equip you with the know-how to critically analyse and evaluate responses to security-related incidents. You will also develop the technical skills needed to specify, build and develop the physical infrastructure and software to ensure solutions are robust and secure.
An ideal learning environment
We have a new Network and Security Suite featuring a full range of wireless and conventional equipment from manufacturers such as CISCO, D-Link, Linksys and Netgear®. Our teaching entails a compelling mixture of lectures, tutorials and laboratory work.
Boost your employability
Employability skills are integrated into many of the taught modules on the BSc (Hons) Cyber Security. You can even choose to spend a year on a relevant placement working alongside industry professionals – an experience which will give you the edge in the graduate job market.
In addition to assisting with internships and placements, we offer wide-ranging support to help you enhance your future prospects during your studies and to secure graduate roles when you have completed your course. This includes employability workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as CV writing and interview preparation. For more information, please contact our
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security entails a mixture of lectures, tutorials and laboratory work. You will learn in our Network Development Suite which has a full range of wireless and conventional equipment from manufacturers like CISCO, D-Link, Lynksys and Netgear.
You can also choose to spend a year in industry on a placement, working alongside professionals. This will enhance your career prospects and give you a distinct advantage in the job market.
How you are assessed
Modules are typically assessed via one or more coursework assignments and/or one or more examinations. Some modules are only assessed via coursework, others are only assessed via examination, while others use a mix of both.
Depending on the nature of a given coursework assignment, you may receive the assignment specification at the beginning of the module for hand-in at the end of the module. Alternatively, you may be given it later in the module to complete before a set deadline.
Entry requirements
September 2020 typical entry requirements
Requirement
What we're looking for
UCAS points
72 (up to 16 from AS-levels)
Specific requirements at A-level
N/A
Specific requirements at GCSE
GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification
IELTS
6.0 (with 5.5 in each skills area)
Interview / Audition
N/A
Portfolio
N/A
Alternative entry qualifications:
BTEC - MPP
Pass Access to HE Diploma 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2.
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
Fees and funding
2020/21 Fees
Full-time
Part-time
UK/EU
£9,250 per year*
N/A
International
£14,045 per year
N/A
* The fees stated above are for the 2019/20 academic year; fees for 2020/21 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
There is significant demand for skills in developing, maintaining and securing computer systems, as well as on the engineering side of security protocol development and research.
This degree delivers comprehensive training and equips you with the personal attributes you need for a variety of careers within the cyber security field.
Contact us
Enquiry
Email
Phone
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Included in your fees
specialist computing labs,
access to software and equipment,
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Printer consumables approx. £100 per year
Portable hard drive/memory card approx. £120
Portfolio case approx. £40
Core text books approx. £250
Optional costs not included in your fees
Not required but useful: personal computer or tablet computer approx. £400
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
