Digital Forensics BSc (Hons)

Master the skills of collecting and investigating forensically sound digital evidence and learn to navigate the increasingly complex world of cyber crime. Gain the skills to conduct digital investigations and prepare yourself for a role in this exciting, evolving industry.

Entry Criteria
Structure and assessment
Facilities and features
Opportunities and careers
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Overview

Digital Forensics is concerned with identifying, reporting and responding to security breaches. On this course you will learn how to acquire, analyse and report digital evidence and gain the technical skills to discover electronic traces of cyber crime.

Course content is informed by research from DMU’s Cyber Technology Institute, meaning you will study up-to-date, industry-relevant topics, including cryptography, issues in criminal justice and network forensics, during your degree.

Core modules will equip you with fundamental skills, where you will learn the powerful programming language of C, and explore computer systems and networks. You will then focus on modules in digital forensics, covering topics such as Windows Forensics, Linux Security and Software and Security Management. During your studies you will have access to equipment and software that is widely used by forensic investigators in law enforcement and e-discovery.

You can also enhance your employability by choosing from a range of optional modules, such as Professionalism in Forensics and Security where you will learn about the legal and professional context of cyber security, software engineering, computer science and digital forensics.

This course is designed to prepare you for career paths in digital forensics, in roles such as security analysts, penetration testers, forensic investigators and cyber security engineers.

Key features

Study on an accredited course. Accreditation by BSC, The Chartered Institute for IT, meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional to raise your professional profile.
This course is taught by experts from DMU’s Cyber Technology Institute which has an international reputation in computer security and digital forensics, influencing the approach taken by the UK government and leading organisations.
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.
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’ (ACE-CSR).
Computer Science and Informatics research at DMU was ranked third among modern UK universities for its research power in the latest Research Excellence Framework.
Enhance your employability and gain industry experience by undertaking an optional work placement. Recent student placements took place at Airbus Group, ECSC, Viglen, Syngenta, Jagex and Capgemini.
Develop your practical skills in our specialist forensic and security laboratories equipped with customised PCs that are configured with multiple operating systems, virtualisation and removable hard drives.
Benefit from joining specialist student societies to develop your interests and skills outside of teaching time such as DMU Hackers and the eSport Society.

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More courses like this:

Computer Science BSc (Hons)
Computer Networks and Security BSc (Hons)
Cyber Security BSc (Hons)
Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons)
Software Engineering BSc (Hons)

News stories

Leading experts recognise DMU's cyber security education with Gold award

UK
EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: FG45

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

Fees and funding:

2024/25 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: FG45

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

Fees and funding:

2024/25 tuition fees for international students: £16,250

Find out more about available funding for international students.

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Mathematics or equivalent, plus one of the following:
Normally 112 UCAS points from at least two A-levels or equivalent or
BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM or
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
Foundation Year in Computing: Pass Foundation, and progression is at the discretion of the programme leader. Refer to the Foundation team for further guidance.

Portfolio Required: No

Interview Required: No

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

English language – If English is not your first language we require an English language level of IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each component or equivalent

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.

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.

Structure and assessment

First year

C Programming 1
C Programming 2
Computer Law and Cyber Security Management
Computer Systems
Computer Networks
Mathematics for Computing
Database Design and Implementation

Second year

Software and Security Management
Introduction to Research
Web Application Development
Windows Forensics
Linux Security
Cryptography
Issues in Criminal Justice

Third year

Final Year Project*
Professionalism in Forensics and Security
Digital Investigations
Network Forensics

Click here for more 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.

*The accredited BCS programme requires that the final year project module is passed.

The course is part of DMU’s Cyber Security Centre, which has a national and international reputation in digital forensics and digital security, and influences the government and corporations in their approach to digital forensics and security. This shapes the curriculum so that what you learn is relevant to current practice. It also grants you privileged access to career opportunities.

Digital Forensics BSc (Hons) shares a common first year with Cyber Security BSc (Hons) before you choose your specialist pathway to continue your studies in. In the first year, you will have timetabled taught sessions for approximately 13–15 hours each week, split across a variety of lectures, small group activities and practical laboratory work. Assessment is made up of roughly 25 per cent end-of-year examination and 75 per cent coursework in each year.

Facilities and features

Cyber security laboratories

Our dedicated  cyber security laboratories have been developed in consultation with leaders in the industry and are designed to meet the highest forensics and security standards.

The laboratories  contain 65 high-spec, 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 wide variety of other hardware and software components.

The laboratories are also the base for the University's  Cyber Technology Institute (CTI), a multidisciplinary group of academics and industry experts who focus on a wide variety of cyber security and digital forensics issues, to provide a safe, secure and resilient cyberspace.

The laboratories  play a vital role in the group's research and development work. Within the laboratories  you will be working with the relevant tools and techniques at the forefront of computer forensics and security research.

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 the Virtual Learning Environment, 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

Graduate Careers

Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers, such as forensic computing specialists for government agencies, security consultancies and commercial IT departments. Recent graduates have taken up roles as digital investigators, penetration testers, incident responders, or SOC analysts.

Each year the university hosts DMU Cyber Week, where students can get careers advice from cyber security experts.

Professionals from BT, Leicestershire Police’s cybercrime unit and digital forensics provider CYFOR came together for  DMU Cyber Week 2019 to give current students a valuable insight into the industry. At the event, students discovered that the national cyber security skills shortage, coupled with the fact that people are statistically more likely to become victims of cybercrime than ‘real-life’ crime, has led to a wide range of graduate job opportunities. Read more about the event here.

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global 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 DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Digital Forensics students recently networked with tech entrepreneurs in San Francisco and had fun putting their cyber skills to the test in challenges at New York's Spyscape Museum.

While overseas DMU Global opportunities are not currently possible, DMU will continue to review government advice and if travel is permitted, we hope to offer a small number of extra-curricular opportunities in the summer of 2021.

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Previous students have taken up placements with companies such as Arcanum Digital Forensics Ltd and Warehouse Control Solutions.

Our careers programme DMU Works can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.