Course summary

This is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the degree course. Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence, before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. Often called Cyber Security, in this degree in Computer Security you will explore the technologies and practices designed to protect networks, computers and data from attack, damage or unauthorised access. You will gain the skills and knowledge to understand, apply and critically evaluate the principles that underpin Computer Security. Through lectures, tutorials, technical labs and real-world case studies, you will learn how attacks work, the likely threats and vulnerabilities, and the approaches used by attackers. Using industry-standard tools and techniques, you will learn how to conduct penetration testing and vulnerability analysis in business organisations to develop secure systems. You will understand and design frameworks that can be implemented across organisations to reduce risk, identify and mitigate vulnerability, and satisfy compliance obligations. Course modules are integrated with professional certification contents such as Cisco Networking (CCNA) and Cyber Security, and Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) to provide you with cutting-edge knowledge. You will have the option to undertake these certifications alongside your studies at no additional cost. As a Cardiff School of Technologies student, you will also have the opportunity to participate in industry-relevant challenges and competitions to test your skills and develop your abilities. This course is one of only ten computer security BSc programmes in the UK, and was the first Bachelor's degree in Wales to be awarded provisional certification by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Full accreditation will be awarded when the first cohort graduates. Cardiff Met is also an Academic Partner of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec). This will provide an opportunity for students to qualify as a Student Member of the CIISec and start their journey to chartered information security professional status. We offer this programme with two study options. You can choose four years full-time or five years full-time which would include a one-year professional placement before your final year that will give you hands-on experience in a real-life working environment. This sandwich year would give you practical skills that many employers seek, giving you a competitive edge upon graduation.