BSc (Hons) in Cyber Security with Foundation Year

• Foundations of learning Explore basic skills essential for successful learning and future studies, including effective communication, time management, and goal setting.
• Academic integrity and writing for business Develop the foundational skills required for academic writing and integrity, focusing on referencing, plagiarism avoidance, and business communication.
• Personal career plan Identify core strengths and career planning, aiding in the development of personal branding and understanding job search strategies.
• Elective: Foundation Year: (see Electives: Foundation Year)
• Applied learning strategies Enhance learning strategies to strengthen self-study skills, advance communication abilities, and improve competency in dealing with challenges.
• Maths foundations – tech related track Focus on refreshing essential mathematical concepts necessary for further technical education and everyday professional use.
• Digital skills – tech related trackUnderstand digital transformations and their implications across various sectors, enhancing necessary digital skills for a technology-driven career.
• Project: innovation and investigationApply all learned skills in a comprehensive project, tailored to your field of study, to innovate and investigate real-world challenges.

• Operating systems, computer networks, and distributed systemsGain foundational knowledge of operating systems, networking, and the construction and operation of distributed systems.
• Introduction to programming with PythonLearn Python programming basics, important libraries, and their applications in data science and general programming tasks.
• Mathematics: AnalysisDive into the fundamentals of mathematical analysis, essential for problem-solving in technology and engineering fields.
• Statistics – probability and descriptive statisticsDevelop an understanding of the basics of probability, statistical analysis and their applications in real-world data interpretation.
• Collaborative workDevelop skills for effective teamwork and collaboration, focusing on communication, diversity, and conflict resolution in professional settings.
• Fundamentals of data protection and cyber securityExplore key concepts, laws, and strategies in data protection and cyber security to safeguard information and systems.
• Introduction to network securityUnderstand network security basics, protocols, common threats and protection strategies to secure networked computer systems.
• System pentesting basicsLearn the fundamentals of system penetration testing, including testing strategies, common vulnerabilities, and protective measures.

• Introduction to academic work for IT and Technology Develop skills for scientific thinking and academic work tailored to IT and technology disciplines.
• Algorithms, data structures, and programming languages Deepen understanding of algorithms, data structures, and programming methodologies critical for efficient software development.
• Theoretical computer science and mathematical logic Explore the theory underpinning computer science applications, focusing on logic, computation theories, and process modelling.
• Secure software development Learn to integrate security at every phase of the software development lifecycle, emphasising secure coding practices and vulnerability management.
• Cryptography Study the principles and practices of cryptography to secure communication and protect data from theft and tampering.
• Host and digital forensics Examine methodologies for digital forensics investigations, focusing on tools, techniques, and legal considerations.
• Elective A (see Electives A section below)
• Elective A (see Electives A section below)

• Information security standards Study the frameworks and standards that govern information security practices and assess their implementation in organisations.
• Seminar: Ethical considerations in data science Engage in deep analyses of ethical issues in data science, with discussions on bias, privacy, and societal impacts.
• Elective B (see Electives B section below)
• Elective B (see Electives B section below)
• Elective C (see Electives C section below)
• Elective C (see Electives C section below)
• Undergraduate (bachelor) thesis Apply your comprehensive Cyber Security knowledge to tackle a theoretical or empirical problem, presenting your findings in an academic dissertation.

• Foundations of academic English Essential for international students, this module covers academic writing skills, focusing on grammar and coherence in professional writing.
• Skills for businessImmerse in the practical aspects of business communication including crafting emails, managing business meetings, and delivering effective presentations.
• Developing a business mindset*Learn to build and maintain a business mindset through practical exercises on various aspects such as managing failures and understanding financial basics.
• Business ethics Study the integration of ethical considerations in business, focusing on social justice and sustainability.

*Please note, this elective will be available to study from April 2025.

• IT Law Understand the legal aspects of IT practice, including copyright, data protection, and compliance issues across different jurisdictions.
• Intercultural and ethical decision-making Explore how cultural and ethical considerations influence decision-making in international and diverse organisational contexts.
• Artificial intelligence Study the development, applications, and ethical considerations of artificial intelligence technologies.
• Project: AI excellence with creative prompting techniques Apply AI and machine learning techniques to real-world problems, emphasising creativity and ethical considerations.
• Social engineering and insider threats Learn strategies to mitigate risks posed by social engineering and insider threats through technical and organisational measures.
• Project: social engineering Discover how to combat social engineering attacks and insider threats to enterprise IT systems, exploring the ‘Human Factor’ and technical tools, to robust security policies and awareness campaigns.
• Self-arranged internship I (*)Gain practical and analytical skills by securing and completing an internship, enhancing your employability. In preparation tutorials, explore workplace dynamics and set personal goals for your placement.
• Self-arranged internship II (*)Building on your first experience, this self-arranged internship lets you apply academic skills in a business environment. Focus on refining your communication, problem-solving, and time management skills.

*You’ll be responsible for arranging a suitable internship for your field of study. Once arranged, please complete an application to the internship module via myCampus, to make sure your internship can be recognised and credited towards your course requirements.

Data analysis and business intelligence

• Advanced data analysis Explore advanced techniques in data analysis, including machine learning, business intelligence, and text mining.
• Project: data analysis Undertake a real-world data analysis project, applying advanced analytical techniques to solve specific business problems.

IT operations and project management

• IT service management Discover best practices in IT service management, focusing on the delivery and support of IT services that meet business demands.
• Project: IT service management Implement IT service management solutions in a real-world project, applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges.

Software engineering

• Techniques and methods for agile software development Explore agile methodologies and their application in software development projects, emphasising rapid delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Project: agile software development Implement a real-world software development project using agile techniques, emphasising team collaboration, iterative development, and customer feedback.

Cloud programming and computing and data engineering

• Cloud programming Learn about programming in cloud environments, focusing on developing, deploying, and managing applications that leverage cloud infrastructure.
• Cloud computing Gain insights into cloud computing architectures, service models, and deployment strategies, which are pivotal in harnessing the power of cloud technologies.

Future threats and IT security consulting

• Requirements engineering Explore how to effectively gather and specify system requirements, a critical step in the development of IT systems and applications.
• Threat modelling Study methods for identifying and mitigating potential threats in software or system architecture, crucial for cybersecurity planning.

Pentesting and host forensics

• Principles of ethical hacking Understand the methodologies used in ethical hacking to identify and rectify security vulnerabilities in networks and systems.
• Project: pentesting Conduct a penetration testing project, applying ethical hacking techniques to identify security weaknesses in a controlled environment.

Data analysis and business intelligence

• Business intelligence Study the strategies and technologies used for data analysis and business information gathering, crucial for making informed business decisions.
• Project: business intelligence Develop a business intelligence solution, applying analytical and problem-solving skills to a real-world business scenario.

IT operations and project management

• IT project management Master the essentials of project management within IT contexts, focusing on methodologies, tools, and techniques to deliver successful projects.
• IT architecture management Explore strategic management of enterprise IT architecture, focusing on aligning technology with business goals and optimising infrastructure.

Software engineering

• Seminar: software engineering Engage in an in-depth discussion on advanced topics in software engineering, enhancing your understanding and skills through rigorous academic debate.
• Project: software development Execute a comprehensive software development project, from design to deployment, applying modern development methodologies and technologies.

Cloud programming and computing and data engineering

• Data engineering Delve into the field of data engineering, learning about big data ecosystems, data pipeline design, and data storage solutions.
• Project: data engineering Tackle a hands-on project in data engineering, designing and implementing data infrastructure to support large-scale data processing.

Future threats and IT security consulting

• Technical and operational IT security conceptsExplore the depth of technical and operational security strategies to protect organisational IT systems from cyber threats.
• Project: configuration and application of SIEM systems Design and implement a security incident and event management system, integrating security monitoring tools into an IT infrastructure.

Pentesting and host forensics

• Static and dynamic malware analysisLearn techniques for analysing malware through static and dynamic methods to understand its behaviour and mitigate its impact.
• Seminar: sandbox interpretation Analyse security sandbox logs to extract actionable information, enhancing your skills in cybersecurity forensics and incident response.