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Computer Networks and Security at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

7Dec
University of Portsmouth Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Overview From the Internet to cloud computing, social networking, and multimedia streaming, computer networks play a vital role in all aspects of business, government and public services. On this BSc (Hons) Computer Networks and Security degree course, you’ll learn to develop and manage sophisticated computer networks solutions and get hands on with the latest technologies, such as servers, mobile applications and security networks. Not only will you develop skills that can make a mark on the future of the industry, you’ll also have the option to join our Cisco Networking Academy to add an industry-recognised Cisco certification to your degree, such as CCNA or CCNP. Course highlights

  • Configure, manage and experiment with different network technologies and web applications
  • Specialise in topics such as security, big data, Internet of Things, management or business and innovation
  • Take on practical network design projects, such as designing a real computer network for a bank
  • Work with our private cloud environment to learn about virtualisation and cloud computing, and use network analysis tools such as OPNET and Wireshark
  • Apply your skills through our work with charities and organisations such as Code Club, where you'll help 9-13-year-olds with their Scratch, HTML/CSS, and Python projects
  • Benefit from our Student Union clubs and societies, such as the IT Society, AI and Robotics Club and Gaming Society
Accreditation This course is accredited by the British Computer Society, partially meeting the educational requirement for CITP. Our CISCO Networking Academy blends face-to-face teaching with web-based curriculum, hands-on lab exercises, and Internet-based assessment. Students can practice, experiment, learn and share their work using our bespoke networking labs equipped with the latest Cisco networking devices. The teaching is delivered by fully qualified Cisco Academy instructors. Careers and opportunities The current shortage of networking and IT professionals will only grow as the importance of computer networks in all areas of society increases. Your skill set will be in high demand across many sectors when you graduate, opening doors to careers in all roles related to computer networks and security. In fact, 95% of graduates from this course are in work or further study 15 months after graduation, with 100% of those asked also saying they find their current work meaningful. What's more, once you have some experience in industry, you can expect an average salary from £35,000 to £55,000 as a network engineer. Graduate destinations Our graduates have worked for companies such as:
  • CISCO
  • VMWare
  • Syamntec
  • BAE Systems
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Deutsche Bank
What jobs can you do with a computer networks degree? Our graduates now work in roles including:
  • solutions architect
  • network engineer
  • presales technical consultant
  • service desk engineer
  • network and systems engineer
Our Employability and Careers service will be on hand throughout your studies and for up to 5 years after you graduate to give you help and support with finding a job and developing your career. "One of the best things about the course is it’s very hands on. You learn by doing and not just theory." Katie Tuffrey, Computer Networks Student

Modules

Year 1 Core modules in this year include:

  • Architecture and Operating Systems (20 credits)
  • Core Computing Concepts for Cyber Security (20 credits)
  • Networking Essentials (20 credits)
  • Programming (40 credits)
  • System Administration and Internetworking (20 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year. Year 2 Core modules in this year include:
  • Cloud Computing (20 credits)
  • Enterprise Networking (20 credits)
  • Ethical Hacking (20 credits)
  • Network Servers and Services (20 credits)
  • Security and Cryptography (20 credits)
Optional modules to choose from in this year currently include:
  • Big Data (20 credits)
  • Business Information Systems Security (20 credits)
  • Computing Undergraduate Ambassador (20 credits)
  • Exchange Study Abroad (40 credits)
  • Web Programming (20 credits)
Year 3 Core modules in this year include:
  • Individual Project (Engineering) (40 credits)
  • IT and Internetworking Security (20 credits)
  • Network Design and Isp Solutions (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year currently include:
  • Artificial Intelligence (20 credits)
  • Business Analytics (20 credits)
  • Digital Enterprise and Innovation (20 credits)
  • Distributed Systems and Security (20 credits)
  • Internet of Things (20 credits)
  • Malware Forensics (20 credits)
  • Practical Data Analytics and Mining (20 credits)
  • Security Management (20 credits)
Exchange study abroad or placement year (optional) On this course, you can do an optional study abroad or work placement year after your 2nd or 3rd years to get valuable experience working in industry. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year. We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Assessment method

How you're assessed You’ll be assessed through:

  • technical reports and logbooks
  • written exams
  • mini projects
  • presentations
  • case studies
  • group assignments
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future. The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:
  • Year 1 students: 43% by written exams, 10% by practical exams and 47% by coursework
  • Year 2 students: 40% by written exams and 60% by coursework
- Year 3 students: 25% by written exams, 10% by practical exams and 65% by coursework

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • British Computer Society

How to apply

29Jan

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

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
83%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
96%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

**Undergraduate fees for 2025 entry will be available shortly.** For more information about fees, go to https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Computer Networks and Security at University of Portsmouth - UCAS