- You'll have successfully completed a foundation degree (FdSc) or higher national diploma (HND) in computing or software engineering (or another relevant qualification comprising at least 120 credits at HE4 and 120 credits at HE5). Alternatively, you may hold a professional qualification in computer science at an equivalent level, for instance, an APTECH Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering with an overall credit or distinction profile.
- We'll be happy to consider your application if you have non-standard qualifications and/or proven relevant experience in the computing industry.
- You’ll be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
The University of Bolton's Cyber Security degree courses offer the knowledge and skills needed to implement, maintain and support the security controls that protect an organisation's computer systems and data assets from threats and hazards.
As a graduate, you'll possess a deep understanding of computer systems and how underlying infrastructure, software and data contribute to modern computing environments. You'll also have the skills and knowledge required to identify where threats and hazards can occur in modern infrastructure, along with the skills to develop, implement, maintain and support security tools and controls that analyse, prevent and protect against attacks.
During the course, you can also expect to develop a wide range of technical, professional, and interpersonal skills, such as attention to detail, teamwork, communication and analytical skills, time management, problem-solving, and lifelong learning.
Completing your honours-level studies should prove valuable in helping you achieve your career goals.
What can I do with this qualification?
A recent report showed that the average advertised salary for a core cyber security role in the UK is £60,100 (2). Graduates from this programme should prove valuable to private, public and third-sector organisations of all sizes and across the full spectrum of industries. Given the worldwide shortage of cyber security professionals, you should be able to choose an interesting, challenging and rewarding environment to work in.
When you successfully complete the course, you'll be well prepared for a career in cyber security. You might seek a technical role in an area such as penetration testing, security design or malware analysis, or choose a broader role, such as security planning, risk assessment or security planning. Opportunities in areas such as defence, forensics, commerce, technical security and system administration should be open to you. As you progress through your career and gain experience, you'll be able to work your way up to positions of greater responsibility, such as chief information security officer, IT security director or security architect.
After graduation, you'll also be ready to progress to postgraduate-level study or additional IT certification to develop your expertise further. Studying for a PhD or professional doctorate is another option.
(2) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1072767/Cyber_security_skills_in_the_UK_labour_market_2022_-_findings_report.pdf accessed on 11 July 2023
Alternative career options
Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping-stone into various other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include the following:
- Consultancy
- Digital copywriting
- IT sales
- IT training
- Teaching
- Research and development
- Network engineering
- Product management
- Technical writing
- Social media management
- Data analysis
- Information systems management
- Games development
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
For 2023-2024 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year.
The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2023-2024 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Additional costs
There may be some additional or optional costs associated with this course. These will be published after approval of the programme.
Learning and teaching methods use a blended style, which means you'll have face-to-face sessions and participate in online learning. You can expect a mixture of seminars, lectures and tutorials, practical laboratory/workshop sessions, a visiting speaker programme, critiques, self-directed study and e-learning, as well as online sessions and support. We'll help you gain practical skills through technical introduction and support, workshop sessions, demonstrations and activity-based assignments. Throughout the course, a strong practical theme promotes active learning.
Regarding assessment, we aim to provide creative and industry-relevant ways for you to demonstrate your theoretical and practical knowledge. You can expect assessments to involve assignments, projects, in-class tests, portfolios and presentations. Some assessments will contribute to your final module mark and allow you to demonstrate that you've met the learning outcomes. In contrast, others are designed to help you identify areas that need extra attention on your part or where you need additional support from your tutors.
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
