BSc (Hons) Cyber Security

• 96 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
• Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Relevant science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) and computing-related subjects are preferred.
• You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
• We'll be happy to consider your application if you don't meet the standard entry requirements but have non-traditional qualifications and/or relevant experience. You'll need to achieve a minimum mark in a diagnostic mathematics test and attend an interview.
• You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The University of Bolton's Cyber Security degree courses offer the knowledge and skills needed to implement, maintain and support the security controls that protect an organisation's computer systems and data assets from threats and hazards.

As a graduate, you'll possess a deep understanding of computer systems and how underlying infrastructure, software and data contribute to modern computing environments. You'll also have the skills and knowledge required to identify where threats and hazards can occur in modern infrastructure, along with the skills to develop, implement, maintain and support security tools and controls that analyse, prevent and protect against attacks.

During the course, you can also expect to develop a wide range of technical, professional and interpersonal skills, such as attention to detail, team working, communication and analytical skills, time management, problem-solving and lifelong learning.

What can I do with this qualification?

A recent report showed that the average advertised salary for a core cyber security role in the UK is £60,100 (2). Graduates from this programme should prove valuable to private, public and third-sector organisations of all sizes and across the full spectrum of industries. Given the worldwide shortage of cyber security professionals, you should be able to choose an interesting, challenging and rewarding environment to work in.

When you successfully complete the course, you'll be well prepared for a career in cyber security. You might seek a technical role in an area such as penetration testing, security design or malware analysis, or choose a broader role, such as security planning, risk assessment or security planning. Opportunities in areas such as defence, forensics, commerce, technical security and system administration should be open to you. As you progress through your career and gain experience, you'll be able to work your way up to positions of greater responsibility, such as chief information security officer, IT security director or security architect.

After graduation, you'll also be ready to progress to postgraduate-level study or additional IT certification to develop your expertise further. Studying for a PhD or professional doctorate is another option.

(2) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1072767/Cyber_security_skills_in_the_UK_labour_market_2022_-_findings_report.pdf accessed on 11 July 2023

Alternative career options

Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping-stone into various other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include the following:

• Consultancy
• Digital copywriting
• IT sales
• IT training
• Teaching
• Research and development
• Network engineering
• Product management
• Technical writing
• Social media management
• Data analysis
• Information systems management
• Games development

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-2025 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

For 2024-2025 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year. The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2024-2025 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

Learning and teaching methods use a blended style, which means you'll have face-to-face sessions and participate in online learning. You can expect a mixture of seminars, lectures and tutorials, practical laboratory/workshop sessions, a visiting speaker programme, critiques, self-directed study and e-learning, as well as online sessions and support. We'll help you gain practical skills through technical introduction and support, workshop sessions, demonstrations and activity-based assignments. Throughout the course, a strong practical theme promotes active learning.

Regarding assessment, we aim to provide creative and industry-relevant ways for you to demonstrate your theoretical and practical knowledge. You can expect assessments to involve assignments, projects, in-class tests, portfolios and presentations. Some assessments will contribute to your final module mark and allow you to demonstrate that you've met the learning outcomes. In contrast, others are designed to help you identify areas that need extra attention on your part or where you need additional support from your tutors.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Maths for Computing
• Computer Science Fundamentals
• Security Fundamentals
• Networking Priniciples
• Modern Operating Systems
• Computer Systems Architecture
• Programming for Cyber Security
• Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
• Enterprise Networks
• Advanced Operating Systems
• Research and Professional Issues
• Undergraduate Project
• Information Security Management
• Advanced Networks
• Advanced Security and Digital Forensics
• Operations Management

Assessment methods

Learning activities

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.