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cyber-security

Cyber Security BSc (Hons)

With unprecedented demand for cyber security expertise to protect our society, economy, national security and critical infrastructure, this course is designed to meet the industry’s need for highly qualified graduates.

Overview

Technology and computer systems are becoming ever more integrated with our day-to-day lives, meaning the protection of all the data and information they contain is paramount.

With many organisations and businesses now considering the protection of online information a critical business issue, there’s an increased focus and demand on the role of cyber security.

The specialist techniques taught as part of this course will help prepare you for a career in a rapidly growing industry which is currently faced with a shortage of skills. 

Our graduates have progressed into careers in industry, government and law enforcement, as security analysts, penetration testers, forensic investigators and cyber security engineers, at organisations such as Deloitte, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), Airbus, and Rolls-Royce.

Key features

  • DMU has been named a gold standard ‘Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education’ by the leading authority on cyber security in the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - part of GCHQ. DMU is the first university in the East Midlands to achieve this prestigious status.
  • This course is taught by experts from DMU’s Cyber Technology Institute, which boasts an international reputation in computer security and digital forensics, influencing the approach taken by the UK government and leading organisations.
  • Study modules on cryptography, penetration testing and professionalism in forensics and security.
  • Gain valuable industry experience by taking a one-year placement. Previous Cyber Security students have undertaken placements with Boeing Defence, GCHQ, Jaguar Land Rover and Virgin Media in roles such as Cyber Security Analyst, Technology and Innovation Intern and Product Engineer.
  • Benefit from specialist forensic and security laboratories, fitted with customised PCs configured with multiple operating systems, virtualisation and removable hard drives.
  • Our DMU Global programme offers students the opportunity to have a valuable international experience as part of their studies. Cyber Security students recently gained insights into San Francisco’s tech industry, while others put their skills to the test at New York’s Spyscape museum.
  • DMU has been recognised for conducting world-leading cyber security research, having been named the East Midlands’ first ‘Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research’.
  • Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

 

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DMU researchers talk about working with businesses such as Airbus and Rolls-Royce to improve their cyber security.

Accredited by BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT

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  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: G550

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with a placement.

Fees and funding: 

2023/24 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

 

 

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: G550

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with a placement.

Three years full-time, four years with a placement.

Fees and funding: 

2023/24 tuition fees for international students: £15,750

Find out more about available funding for international students.

 

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

I found a new beginning

The tutors that believed in Tennessee and shared their industry experience took her from foundation degree to software engineer – now she's helping the next generation.

Entry criteria

A typical offer is 112 UCAS points from at least two A-levels or equivalent or BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM, plus:

  • Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics or equivalent.

Alternative qualifications include:

  • Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE. English and Mathematics GCSE required as a separate qualification as equivalency is not accepted within the Access qualification.

We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course or

  • International Baccalaureate: 26+ points or
  • T Levels Merit

Portfolio Required: No

Interview Required: No

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

UCAS tariff information

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Contextual offer 

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find our more about contextual offers.

 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

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Structure and assessment

Education 2030

We want to ensure you have the best learning experience possible and a supportive and nurturing learning community. That’s why we’re introducing a new block model for delivering the majority of our courses, known as Education 2030. This means a more simplified timetable where you will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. You will have more time to engage with your learning and get to know the teaching team and course mates. You will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life.

Read more about Education 2030
 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Teaching contact hours

 

Year one

  • Block 1: Foundation of Computing and Cyber Security
  • Block 2: Endpoint Security
  • Block 3: Secure Coding
  • Block 4: Business Infrastructure and Security
  • Additional: Expert Briefings in Cyber Security

Year two

  • Block 1: Secure Scripting and Business Applications
  • Block 2: Incident Response and Cyber Threat Intelligence
  • Block 3: Penetration Testing
  • Block 4: Industrial Cryptography

Year three

  • Block 1: Malware and Attacker Techniques
  • Block 2: Cyber Physical Systems Security
  • Block 3 / 4: Final Project

Optional Modules (choose one):

  • Block 3 / 4: Cyber Security and Social Responsibility
  • Block 3 / 4: Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Security
  • Block 3 / 4: Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime Investigation

See detailed module information


Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.


See pre-Education 2030 version of Cyber Security BSc | Digital Forensics BSc

Teaching and assessment

The course is part of DMU’s Cyber Security Centre, which influences the government and corporations in their approach to cyber security. This shapes the curriculum so that you learn what is important. It also grants you privileged access to career opportunities.

You may be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, laboratory sessions, practical sessions and self-directed study. Assessment and how assessments are weighted is varied across modules. Our assessment practices reflect the best practices in teaching methods deployed by academic members of staff each year. Indicative assessment weighting and assessment type per module are shown as part of the module information. Again, these are based on the current academic session and are subject to change.

Teaching contact hours

This is a full-time course. Each module is worth 30 credits. Outside of your normal timetabled hours you will be expected to conduct independent study each week to complete preparation tasks, assessments and research.

Self-directed study: In order to prepare for, and assimilate, the work in lectures and seminars you will be expected to use our on-line resources, participate in flipped or virtual classroom discussions on our virtual learning environment (VLE) and engage in personal study and revision for approximately 25 hours per week.

 

 

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Cyber Security Laboratories

The Cyber Security laboratories are among the best equipped facilities of this type in the UK. Developed in consultation with leaders in the industry, they are designed to meet the highest forensics and security standards.

The laboratories contain high-specification, specially customised PCs configured with multiple operating systems, virtualisation and removable hard drives, as well as specialised servers, wired and wireless networking equipment and a variety of other hardware and software components.

The laboratories are also the base for the university's Cyber Security Centre, a multidisciplinary group of academics and industry experts who focus on a wide variety of cyber security and digital forensics issues. Their mission is to provide to all the benefits a safe, secure and resilient cyberspace.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Blackboard, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Works
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Graduate Careers

This programme has been developed to help give students the skills needed for careers in the cyber security industry.

Graduates have excellent opportunities to pursue careers in industry, government, or law enforcement in roles such as a security analyst, penetration tester, forensic investigator, or cyber security engineer. Previous graduates from our cyber security programmes have gone on to work for organisations such as Deloitte, GCHQ, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce.

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#DMUglobal

Our innovative international experience programme aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through #DMUglobal, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Cyber Security students gained valuable insights into San Francisco’s tech industry, while others put their surveillance and espionage skills to the test at New York’s Spyscape museum.

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Placements

Work placements are offered as part of this course as one of the best ways to boost your skills and experience while studying, as well as improving your chances of gaining a graduate level job.

We have links with organisations both in the UK and internationally, and the placements team will help you find a placement to suit your interests and aspirations.

Students have taken part in placements at Airbus, GCHQ, and Vauxhall Motors to develop their skills and put their learning into practice.

Take your next steps

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