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What makes Cyber Security BSc (Hons) at Worcester special? *

In today’s highly interconnected world, organisations are relying heavily on data to operate. Data is a critical business asset that must be protected from cyber criminals trying to steal or hold data to ransom. That’s why developing a strong cyber security strategy is a top priority for all organisations in today’s ecosystem.

The Cyber Security undergraduate degree at the University of Worcester provides you with opportunities to learn and explore new skills required to protect organisations against cyber threats. Throughout the course, you will explore a range of cyber security technologies and solutions, including computer security, distributed systems, computer forensics and ethical hacking. This course will make you ready as a cyber security graduate to enter different security roles including cyber security analyst, IT security engineer and penetration tester.

You will have the option to extend this 3-year course by choosing to add a placement year, to help you gain industry experience and boost your employability.

*Subject to approval

Overview

Overview

Key Features

  • Study modules on distributed systems, ethical hacking, digital forensics & security.
  • Boost your employment opportunities by taking and optional one-year industry work placement.
  • Benefit from dedicated teaching laboratories including our dynamic cyber security lab, equipped with industry-leading tools and techniques, which will empower you to explore real-world scenarios, build practical skills, and develop hands-on expertise in penetration testing, network security and digital forensics.
a group of students are sitting and chatting

It’s not too late to apply!

You can still apply to study with us after the January UCAS deadline. Don’t be tempted to rush an application together as fast as you can, you still want to make sure your application and personal statement are as good as possible.

Your teachers can still write you a reference after the January deadline so make sure to let them know you’re applying to university

Entry requirements

What qualifications will you need?

96
UCAS tariff points

Entry Requirements

96 UCAS Tariff points (for example, CCC at A Level) and Grade C/4 in GCSE English and Mathematics

Applicants with no formal qualifications may be considered for Mature Student Entry Routes

Course content

What will you study

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course.

Year 1

Mandatory Modules

  • Foundations of Computing
  • Web Technologies
  • Introduction to OO Programming
  • IT Systems Fundamental
  • Introduction to Computer Security

Year 2

Mandatory Modules

  • Systems Analysis & Design
  • Distributed Systems
  • Operating Systems
  • Computer Forensics
  • Mobile Application Development
  • Interaction Design

Year 3

Mandatory Modules

  • Project (Cyber Security)
  • Manging Cyber Risks
  • Cyber Security
  • Secure by Design
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Internet of Things
Teaching and assessment

How will you be taught?

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lab sessions, lectures and seminars. Interactive workshops and lab sessions take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through practical activities in our dedicated computing labs; be that on your own or in small groups. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures as well as opportunities to practice skills learnt.

In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least four occasions during each year of your studies at the university.

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and also the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful.

Contact time

In a typical week you will have 12 contact hours of teaching on campus. Typically contact time over a week will be structured around:

  • 8 hours of interactive workshops
  • 4 hours of group lectures

Typically, class contact time will be structured around:

  • Information giving, facilitated discussions, small group work, presentations
  • Practical skills – the opportunity to practise group facilitation, presentation,

communication and listening skills

  • Visiting speakers and opportunities to visit other settings are regular features of the

course

  • Most teaching will take place in state-of-the-art PC labs using a variety of software specific to each module.

Independent self study

In addition to the contact time, full-time students are expected to undertake around 24 hours of personal self-study per week, plus additional preparation for assessments and examinations. Typically, this will involve meeting with individual tutors to discuss progress and feedback, completing activities, creating and testing artefacts, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and online. 

These activities, challenges and further reading are posed via the University Virtual Learning Environment. Students will also have access to software and other services required for independent studies available for use on University lab machines or for download for home use where possible. 

In addition to this, students will spend time sharing ideas with fellow students, taking part in extracurricular learning activities and engaging with external employers. 

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources as well as our network of employers and entrepreneurs.

Duration

  • 3 years full-time
  • 4 years full-time including one year placement.
  • 4-6 years part-time

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.  

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, and visiting speakers with specialised expertise. Teaching is informed by the research and consultancy work carried out by staff and you can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessments

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments.

Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, software artefacts, presentations, and a final year independent studies project.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

Year 1 (typically)

  • 1 formal examination of 2 hours duration
  • 1 in-class phase test
  • 1 essay
  • 3 practical reports with associated artefact creation
  • 2 individual or group presentations

Year 2 (typically)

  • 1 formal examinations of 2 hours duration
  • 2 in-class phase tests
  • 1 essay
  • 4 practical reports with associated artefact creation
  • 2 individual or group presentations

Year 3 (typically)

  • Major independent study project of approximately 9000 words
  • 2 formal examinations of 2 hours duration
  • 2 in-class phase tests
  • 1 essay
  • 4 practical reports with associated artefact creation
  • 2 individual or group presentations

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate. We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Careers

Where could it take you?

Demand for cyber security talents is increasing as cyber threats continue to rise and grow more powerful. According to recent study into the UK cyber security labour market, carried out on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), a high proportion of UK businesses continue to lack staff with the technical skills, incident response skills and governance skills needed to manage their cyber security.

This course will provide graduates with a range of career opportunities in business, government and law enforcement. Potential career paths include:

  • Cyber security analysts
  • Ethical hackers
  • Cyber security engineers
  • Information security officers
  • Digital forensics analysts

When you study Cyber Security at the University of Worcester, you will enhance your career prospects. We will:

  • Ensure the course is designed in consultation with employers, aligned with industry standards, and taught by experienced computing professionals
  • Give you the option of a paid placement year to improve your employability
  • Offer you the opportunity to learn via live work-based projects, allowing you to earn as you learn and gain experience
  • Give you the opportunity to gain additional professional qualifications and certification during your degree (should you wish) to build your CV
  • Build in employment preparation workshops which include CV preparation, mock interviews/assessment centres, and meetings with employers to improve your prospects
Costs

How much will it cost?

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2023/24 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2023/24 academic year is £14,700 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students registering on this course in the academic year 2023/24 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20-credit module, £2,312 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £122 per week to 'En-suite Premium' at £207 per week (2023/24 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

Course-related costs not included in the fees

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses. 24/7 access to computers is provided at the University and software is made available at either no additional cost or minimal cost. Students may also want to purchase a new PC/laptop or upgrade existing equipment for their own usage.

Sources of financial support

Most financial support is available from Student Finance England. The University’s Money Advice Service can provide information about student money; this can be accessed through Firstpoint. 

How to apply