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Cyber Security (BSc) (Full-Time, 2021 Entry)

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UCAS Code
H651

Qualification
Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Duration
3 years full-time

Start Date
27 September 2021

Department of Study
Warwick Manufacturing Group

Location of Study
University of Warwick


Studying Cyber Security (BSc) will develop your ability to enable good and prevent harm in cyberspace. This is a significant challenge since cyberspace extends far beyond the internet. It comprises all interactions with all networks of digital devices that are used to store, modify and communicate information, across all time.

Our BSc is provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at GCHQ


Course overview

This degree combines theory and practice, with a strong technical focus to develop your understanding of how cyber systems are intended to function, how they actually function, and how they might be abused. The relationship between cyber security technology, people, processes and the physical environment is a feature of the course.

You will learn how to construct robust software, how to store data over time and communicate it over distance, how computer systems are organised, and the capabilities of cryptographic techniques. You will also develop an understanding of the processes and procedures that provide assurance that things are as they should be. Finally, you will gain the mindset, tools and techniques to discover the shortcomings of cyber systems, duly constrained by ethics and the law.

Individual and group projects will consolidate your learning, enabling you to apply theory to practical problems. Our BSc is provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at GCHQ. Warwick is also recognised by the NCSC as a ‘Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Research’.

Cyber security professionals are in high demand by businesses worldwide, meaning you’ll have access to a wealth of potential career routes in a highly mobile profession when you graduate.


Course structure

Year One lays the foundations for you to develop a deeper understanding of cyber space. You'll be studying topics such as software development, computer architecture, networks, operating systems and information risk management. Year Two will build on your knowledge and skills by giving you the chance to explore areas such software engineering, programming languages, human computer interaction, secure systems, managing and securing information, all with a cyber security theme.

The third year exposes you to advanced topics in cyber security. You'll also complete an individual project, where you will apply your skills and knowledge to an area of your choice under the supervision of our academics.


How will I learn?

The teaching and learning is structured around high-intensity workshops with structured independent consolidation activities in between. The workshops will comprise a mix of conventional lectures, practical laboratory sessions and tutorial sessions.

The proportions and emphasis will vary from module to module. The consolidation activities typically will involve the application of material covered in the workshop to a practical problem. Some of this consolidation activity will be individual, some will be working in teams. Some development projects will span several workshops and run for several weeks.

Much of the practical activity will take place in the dedicated Cyber Security laboratories within the Cyber Security Centre. Your studies will culminate in your final year individual cyber project.


Class size

Class sizes will probably be restricted to around 12 students in order to achieve a COVID-secure practical teaching environment. A similar class size will be used for online seminars and tutorials.


Contact hours

During term time, outside the summer examination period, teaching contact time will normally be 15 hours per week in years one and two.


How will I be assessed?

Your performance will be assessed by a combination of coursework and written examination. The coursework may be individual or group work involving aspects of cyber system development, cyber system analysis, cyber research, and presentation of findings. Second and final year place particular emphasis on coursework with a practitioner focus.

The final degree classification is determined by your second (30%) and final year marks (70%)


Study abroad

It is unlikely we will be able to support student mobility through study abroad programmes. The very specific curriculum of BSc Cyber Security mean that an intercalated year abroad at one of our partner universities is unlikely to fit alongside the remainder of the curriculum.

The Study Abroad Team based in the Office for Global Engagement offers support for these activities. Our Study Abroad Co-ordinator can give you more specific information and assistance


Work experience

WMG runs a number of internship and work placement programmes for undergraduate students each year.

Find out more about work experience at WMG.

General entry requirements

A level:

  • AAB (STEM subjects preferred)

IB:

  • 36 (STEM subjects preferred)

BTEC:

  • We welcome applications from students taking BTECs.

Additional requirements:

Candidates being considered for an offer will be invited to submit a supporting statement to demonstrate their suitability for studying our BSc Cyber Security course. This supporting statement will form part of the selection process for this course.

You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.


International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.


Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).


Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

Students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS do not receive a guaranteed conditional offer. They will be invited to submit a supporting statement (see additional requirements above) in a similar manner to other applicants..

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.


Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry welcomed.


Interviews

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on the supporting statement (see additional requirements above) alongside information on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Year One

This year lays the foundations for you to develop a deeper understanding of cyber space. You will be studying topics such as software development, computer architecture, networks, operating systems and information risk management.


Year Two

This year will build on your knowledge and skills by giving you the chance to explore areas such software engineering, programming languages, human computer interaction, secure systems, managing and securing information, all with a cyber security theme.


Year Three

Your final year exposes you to advanced topics in cyber security. You will also complete an individual project, where you will apply your skills and knowledge to an area of your choice under the supervision of our academics.


Optional modules

We do not have any optional modules. However, modules will evolve to reflect the dynamic cyber environment and the ever changing cyber-threat landscape.

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding.


Additional course costs

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.


Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

COVID-19 will place greater emphasis on students using their personal computer to fully engage with teaching, learning and assesssment. It is unlikely for the forseeable future that we will be able to use the cyber teaching labs at the density for which they were designed. This will be particularly true if the COVID alert level causes the campus to be closed which will in turn cause the cyber teaching laboratories to be closed.

We are advising each student joining the course to ensure they have complete root / administrator access to a machine of the following specification which attempts to balance cost and functionality:

  • Laptop or workstation capable of running native Linux operating systems (e.g Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch), and virtualisation (e.g. QEMU/KVM, VirtualBox). This will require sufficient CPU (we advise at least four cores, prefereably eight, with hardware support for virtualisation using AMD-V or Intel VT), memory (at least 8GB RAM, prefereably 16GB) and storage (at least 500GB 1TB preferred). SSD drives will cost more but be quicker than the equivalent HDD.

It is worth noting that you get more performance for your money (or less money for your performance) if you go for a workstation rather than a laptop configuration.

There will be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course.

Your career

Career paths can be technical, managerial, and strategic in the public, private, or charity sector; enabling social services, commerce, healthcare, transportation, environmental protection and more generally, a secure digital society.

Early career roles could include:

  • Network Security Administrator
  • Forensic Analyst
  • Threat Analyst
  • Penetration Tester
  • Secure Software Developer
  • Security Engineer
  • SOC Analyst
  • Cyber Risk Analyst
  • Information Assurance
  • Critical Infrastructure Cyber Security Practitioner

Later career roles could include:

  • Security Architect
  • Security Assessor
  • Malware Reverse Engineer
  • Incident Response Coordinator
  • Cyber Security Consultant
  • Chief Information Security Officer
  • Data Protection Officer
  • Project Manager (Cyber)

Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Career planning for WMG students
  • Options in Engineering
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
  • Effective Applications for WMG students
  • Researching Employers for WMG students

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2021 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.