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Cyber Security BSc (H651)

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Learn more about our Cyber Security degree at Warwick

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H651

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Bachelor of Science (BSc)

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3 years full-time

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26 September 2022

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WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group)

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University of Warwick

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

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Cyber space comprises all the interactions with all the networks of digital devices, used to store, modify and communicate information, across all time. It is global in reach and vast in scale, extending far beyond the Internet.

Studying Cyber Security (BSc) will equip you to be part of the worldwide team securing the human experience in cyber space. BSc Cyber Security is provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at GCHQ.

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Cyber Security seeks to enable the good and prevent the bad in cyber space. For you to contribute to this task, you will learn a broad range of theory and practice. Most things will be viewed from two perspectives: what should happen, and what does happen. Many cyber security challenges lurk in this gap between concept and reality.

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

The course has a strong technical focus so that you understand precisely how the digital parts of cyber systems function. However, the role played by people, processes and the physical environment in achieving cyber security is also a critical part of your study. Taken together, you will learn how to harden the security posture of an organisation's cyber systems. You will learn how to think and act coherently in cyber space.

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

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

3c

Year One 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.

Mathematical formalisms of discrete structure will be introduced to support a range of other topics. Year Two deepens and broadens your experience by exploring software engineering, programming languages, human behaviour in cyber systems, cryptography, managing and securing information, all from a cyber security perspective.

The third year exposes you to advanced topics in cyber security. Incident management, digital forensics, low-level techniques (to better understand how potentially obfuscated code executes), and the science associated with dealing with bulk data. 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.

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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.

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Class sizes will typically be in groups of 24 or 48

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

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Your performance will be assessed predominantly by coursework with a small number of written examinations. 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%).

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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 means 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 offers support for these activities. Our Study Abroad Co-ordinator can give you more specific information and assistance.

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Placements and 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.

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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.

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A level typical offer

AAB (STEM subjects preferred).

A level additional information

You must also achieve grade C or 4 in GCSE Mathematics and English Language. Please also see additional requirements below.

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is ABB (STEM subjects preferred: Physics; Chemistry; Biology; General Sciences; Computer Science; Engineering; Mathematics). See if you’re eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

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IB typical offer

36 (STEM subjects preferred).

IB additional information

Please also see additional requirements below.

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 34 (STEM subjects preferred). See if you’re eligible.

General GCSE requirements

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We welcome applications from students taking BTECs.

Please also see additional requirements below.

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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. Following consultation with current students, and subject to formal university quality assurance approval, from 2022-23 onwards, we are moving the coverage of Information Risk Management into year two to be studied alongside Information Security Management. This creates space in year one for a broader module covering a range of Cyber Security Fundamentals. The unifying aspect of these fundamentals is that they are needed by a well-rounded cyber security professional, but do not naturally sit within any particular subject-focused module.

Software Development and Security
Cyber Systems Architecture and Organisation
Discrete Structures for Cyber Security
Networks, Communication and Cyber Defence
Operating Systems in the Cyber Context
Cyber Security Fundamentals

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.

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

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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)

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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.

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