Course summary
Cyber security is an increasingly important area to build a rewarding career in. On our practical degree programme, we will help prepare you for a successful future in this field. Thanks to our close involvement with the sector, you can be sure we’ll help you develop the skills employers are looking for. You'll benefit from our industry links and experienced and supportive staff. To help you achieve your goals we have also invested in a top-end Cyber Resilience facility. This is a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme. Why study this subject? Cyber-attacks are among the main security issues facing organisations in the information age. Today, all organisations operate with a potential information security risk and will need to implement strategies to protect their IT systems and data. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? This course has been designed to incorporate guidance from the Communications-Electronics Security Group (CESG), a group within the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), as well as the Institute of Information Security Professionals’ (IISP) Information Security Skills framework. It reflects current issues and industry requirements and will help you improve your technical understanding of cyber security, IT services and risk management, and how this relates to the wider business and customer-facing needs. You'll develop specialist skills in cyber security, risk and information management, underpinned with software and networked systems. You will also learn to use a wide range of cyber security related tools and techniques, alongside technical skills in computer programming, software engineering, cloud and database development. We’ll also help you to build a portfolio of work and seek opportunities to demonstrate your expertise by co-presenting at industry conferences and undertake internships or work experience. Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. What facilities can I use? We’ve invested in the best facilities for your next step into a computing career. The primary delivery of all modules within the course will take place within our specialist computing labs or in our cyber resilience facility. This will also include use of our networking lab for those modules involving any aspect of network or cloud-based development and/or security. What will I study? You will study software design and development, programming languages, technologies and applications which may include Python, Java, HTML, PHP, UML, database technologies, machine learning, algorithms and data structures, web and mobile computing, and Agile software development. Specialist modules allow you to further explore the areas of artificial intelligence, media programming, real-time systems, computer science, cloud computing and security. You'll begin with the fundamentals in areas such as risk and information management, security auditing and network security before going on to apply what you have learned to various individual and team assignments. We'll help you to develop your ability to think strategically about real-world problems, whilst enhancing your transferable skillset to include analysis, design, research and leadership. In your final year, you'll work on a major project or extended written piece of work.
Modules
Foundation Year Core Preparing for Success: Knowledge and Creativity Preparing for Success: Self-development and Responsibility Inquiry Based Learning Digital Media Computing Essentials Year one Core Computer Architectures Programming Concepts Networks Cyber Systems and Threats Computing Computational Fundamentals Opportunity 2 x 10 credit year one Opportunity modules Year two Core Information Security Malware and Cyber Security Management Research Methods Optional Digital Forensics Investigation and Penetration Testing Data Essentials Network Systems *Opportunity** 2 x 10 credit year two Opportunity modules Year three Core Secure Business Management Extended Independent Work Optional Security Auditing and Response Network Security Cloud Computing Software Testing and QA Digital Innovation
Assessment method
You will be taught by a team of expert academics and specialist professionals. Together, they use their collective experience of academia, industry and commerce to give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you’ll need for your career. The high level of industry experience on our teaching team means we can give you a real flavour of what it’s like to work in a professional environment. We encourage problem-based learning via case studies and classroom exercises throughout the modules. You’ll also benefit from small class sizes that give you a chance to develop close working relationships with other students and tutors. Course assignments reflect real-life problems because we believe that’s the best way to learn – and it’s more fun! You’ll be taught through lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and seminars. A variety of assessment methods will be used as appropriate to the module, including assignments carried out in the student’s own time, in-class assignment, workshops and presentations. The wider Computing Department and our Careers service also offer development opportunities that may involve placements, internships or employment in local companies.
How to apply
You can no longer submit a new application for courses starting in 2023.
If you already have a 2023 application and are in Clearing, you can add this course as a Clearing choice – contact the university or college first to check they have places.
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:
- CYSF
- Institution code:
- B94
- Campus name:
- Buckinghamshire New University
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
International applicants
For information about applying to Buckinghamshire New University as an International applicant, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/international
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the 3-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a Level 4 course, will be considered for the 4-year programme including a Foundation Year.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks/general-entry-requirements
Unistats information
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £15000 | Year 1 |
International | £15000 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Buckinghamshire New University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/financial-support-bursaries-and-scholarships
Provider information
Buckinghamshire New University
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
HP11 2JZ