Curious about studying Cyber Security (with a Placement Year) - BSc (Hons)at University of Staffordshire? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
University of Staffordshire London
Sandwich
Sep 2026
4 Year
Become a protector of cyberspace and modern technology in our specialist computer science degree and become an ultra-employable expert in cyber security and forensic computing.This course is designed to launch your future career in the protection of software and hardware against malicious threats. Our course is designed to not only give you a theoretical foundation in computer science, but to give you a practical and expert-level knowledge in a specialist area of the field which can range from network security through to ethical hacking, so you’re fully prepared to work in the industry upon graduation.We focus heavily on the practical element of cyber security, and we back that up with the distinctive facilities we have available to use at the university, including a dedicated, self-contained laboratory, with its own private internal network, containing some of the latest equipment and software. We have access to external specialists from the Police and industry both for guest lectures and Q&A sessions. The version of EnCase we use in the lab is the version used by law enforcement. We are equipped to perform both ‘PC’ based investigations, as well as mobile forensics (on smartphones, and sat nav’s etc).On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Cyber Security
In this module, you will begin an exciting journey of discovery that will lay the programming foundation for both your academic and professional career. You will focus on designing and developing programs in Python. On the way, you will also learn about algorithms, data structures, analysing problems, modeling solutions, and testing programs.
Computing infrastructure and the data which is stored upon this is essential to businesses from the smallest through to global enterprises. In this module we will be looking at how corporations have adapted to this changing landscape with the increased reliance on the data which is stored. As data is becoming more important, we need to ensure that everything is stored in a manner which makes it accessible within the timeframe defined by the company and to ensure that it remains secure from people both outside and inside of a company.
This module explores the different areas of technology within computing and identifies core elements within the field to make an informed choice for purchasing, designing, and developing systems. In addition to these core skills you will consolidate your understanding of an operating system and will be able to commission and program typically Windows and Unix derivative OS as used within your chosen field. Considering Operating Systems outside of traditional x86 computing is also a key skill for fundamental computing decision making.
Relational databases are extremely common in the IT industry. This module will teach students how to manage a relational database and will provide and discuss issues relating to the management and control of replicated and distributed databases. This module will take both a theoretical and practical focus with assessment requiring you to work on two case studies to explore problems and identify solutions.
In studying this module, you will learn about the fundamental concepts e.g. OSI/TCP suit, TCP and UDP communications, IP addressing, Ethernet, wireless networks, switching, routing, network design, documentation, management and troubleshooting. Upon successful completion of the module, you should become a skilled user who is able to design a network efficiently, can configure network devices e.g. switches, routers etc., can manage and troubleshoot network issues.
In this module, you will continue your journey to build your software development skills by learning more about programming in languages such as Java, as well as designing and developing web applications with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. You will also look at how APIs are created and how they can be consumed by web applications. As part of the whole process, you will create and follow a test-and-deploy strategy to ensure the quality of your application.
The world of computer operations and networking is an ever-evolving field with new technology being developed and rapidly introduced into corporations. One of the disruptor technologies is the introduction of Cloud computing into the cooperate environment. Initially we will teach concepts of on-site infrastructure using VMWare and Open-Source Software, grounding your knowledge in infrastructure before introducing Amazon Web Services (AWS) as an environment to further your understanding.
This module has been designed to provide students with the necessary information about the fundamentals of cyber security and help them develop a comprehensive approach to security practices. The module introduces students to a variety of security topics including fundamental concepts of security engineering, the significance of security protocols and frameworks and consideration of legal, ethical and standardisation requirements in information systems security. Students will learn and apply extensive theoretical and advanced technological skills in cyber security for solving real-world problems.
This module will enable students to apply their knowledge in small close-to-real world projects emulating real work scenarios which require using domain-specific techniques for applying Data Science to different domains. The module will also focus on why Big Data cannot be simply processed by using standard database management systems.
A digital forensic investigation is a special case of forensic investigation where the procedures and techniques allows findings to be presented in a Court of Law. The analysis of digital evidence is a very structured and formal process. This course will allow learners to develop knowledge and understanding of digital forensics, focusing on different platforms (computers, mobile phones, smartphones, and vehicles). The objectives of this course are to introduce the principles of digital forensic investigation both theoretically and practically to students.
On this module you will study computer systems and network infrastructure as an attractive target to attackers. Hackers often manipulate software vulnerabilities and poor configuration to successfully gain access and steal information. To secure a system it is essential for computer security professionals to understand the structure, configuration, tools and techniques that hackers rely upon to successfully commit their act. It is also important to test the network regularly and discover any vulnerability due to miss configuration or poor patching.
This module provides an opportunity for students to take part in a collaborative project during which you will be expected to work professionally and develop your professional practice. You will learn to use project management tools and techniques as well as developing other transferable skills. You will also gain an appreciation of legislation and standards applicable to ICT projects. The module also takes an extensive focus on careers and career pathway planning.
Placement Year
You will learn about the cryptographic technologies that secure all modern digital communications and systems how they work, what can go wrong and how they are implemented in the world around us. You will also learn about the wider context of these issues and how they carry ethical and legal weight. You will also learn about AI technologies and how they interact with cryptography, as well as how they are changing the cyber security landscape.
This is your opportunity to create something totally unique as the culmination of your course. It is your chance to define your difference, no two projects are ever the same. You will begin by developing an idea into a proposal, outlining the intention of the work. You will then develop this into an artefact suitable for your course, such as a piece of software, a specification or a code of practice by undertaking rigorous, professional academic research techniques and applying the summation of your knowledge and skills from your course, work experience, if possible, and personal development. All of this work will be presented in a professionally produced, academic report detailing your finding and reflections on your achievement.
This module enables you to apply your skills in analysing devices as used in IoT systems to a typical industrial graduate project scenario. You will use turn-key products to rapidly design and deploy a secure solution and document this through sound paper based techniques. You will also present your solution in order to show the design and provide the rationale as to how you got to your final design solution.
This module provides an opportunity for you to extend your studies in a direction chosen by you. You will identify whether to study some skills based training, another Level 6 module, or undertake some teaching support of a relevant Level 4 module. You will negotiate a learning contract with a designated supervisor which will then be formally ratified by a panel before you start your study.
This module will focus on the identification and the forensic analysis of malicious code. The module will do so at a practical level and students will therefore explore computing infrastructure, security protocols, and general security issues and threats. To give the module a final topic, legal, ethical and social implications of malware are also considered.
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