Evaluating Cyber Security Education in the UK – Courses, Structures, and CyBOK Alignment

Project Leader

Dr. Harjinder Singh Lallie

Description

This four-week desktop literature survey project evaluates the state of cyber security education in the UK, focusing on the range, breadth, and depth of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. You will list key courses from top universities (e.g., Oxford, Imperial, Cambridge, UCL, Edinburgh), analyze module structures, and align content with the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) framework's 21 Knowledge Areas across 5 categories (e.g., Human Aspects, Attacks & Defences).

Objectives

• Compile a list of 20-30 cyber security degrees/certified programs in the UK (e.g., NCSC-certified like University of Gloucestershire's BSc Cyber Security or Warwick's BSc Cyber Security).
• Analyse module structures (e.g., core topics like network security, ethical hacking) from university websites.
• Map course content to CyBOK areas, identifying strengths/gaps (e.g., emphasis on Risk Management vs. Formal Methods).

Methods

Survey university websites (e.g., UCAS for 500+ courses, NCSC list for certified degrees) and program handbooks. Use CyBOK documentation to create alignment matrices in Excel. Cross-reference with rankings (e.g., QS or Complete University Guide) for top programs like Lancaster or Southampton.

Expected outcomes

A 15-20 page report with course listings, module breakdowns, CyBOK alignment tables, and recommendations for curriculum improvements. Your work will be acknowledged in a publication on global cyber education trends.

Duration

4 weeks (part time, ~ 20 hours/week; suitable for collaboration with Evaluating Cyber Security Education in the USA project)