Cyber Security BSc (UCAS H651)
Learn more about our Cyber Security degree at Warwick
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. Our BSc Cyber Security course is provisionally certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at GCHQ.
General entry requirements
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.
IB typical offer
34 (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 32 (STEM subjects preferred). 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.
We welcome applications from students taking BTECs.
Please also see additional requirements below.
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.
International qualifications
English Language requirements
All applicants have to meet our English Language requirements. If you cannot demonstrate that you meet these, you may be invited to take part in our Pre-sessional English course at WarwickLink opens in a new window.
This course requires: Band B
Learn more about our English Language requirementsLink opens in a new window
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.
Frequently asked questions
Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the contextual data criteria.
Differential offers will usually be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.
All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).
Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.
We welcome applications for deferred entry.
We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.
Course overview
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.
This 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.
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.
Core modules
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.
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 our new comprehensive module 'Cyber Security Fundamentals' in year one
- 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.
- The Cyber Context of Software Engineering
- Programming Languages for Cyber Security
- Human Behaviour in Cyber Systems
- Implementing Secure Systems
- Information Management
- Information Security Management
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.
- Low-level Tools and Techniques for Cyber Security
- Data Science, Algorithms, and Complexity in the Cyber Context
- Operational Security Management
- Cyber Security Incident Management
- Individual Project
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.
Assessment
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. The 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%).
Teaching
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 will typically 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 our dedicated Cyber Security laboratories within the Cyber Security Centre. Your studies will culminate in your final year individual cyber project.
Class sizes
Class sizes will typically be in groups of 24 or 48.
Typical 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.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees cover the majority of the costs of your study, including teaching and assessment. Fees are charged at the start of each academic year. If you pay your fees directly to the University, you can choose to pay in instalments.
Undergraduate fees
If you are a home student enrolling in 2024, your annual tuition fees will be £9,250. In the future, these fees might change for new and continuing students.
How are fees set?
The British Government sets tuition fee rates.
Undergraduate fees
If you are an overseas or EU student enrolling in 2024, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:
- Band 1 – £24,800 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
- Band 2 – £31,620 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Maths, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)
Fees for 2025 entry have not been set. We will publish updated information here as soon as it becomes available, so please check back for updates about 2025 fee rates before you apply.
Fee status guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee status.Link opens in a new window
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on this web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module CatalogueLink opens in a new window (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Further information
Find out more about tuition fees from our Student Finance team.
Scholarships and bursaries
Learn about scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.
We offer a number of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.
Find out more about funding opportunities for full-time students.Link opens in a new window
If you are an international student, a limited number of scholarships may be available.
Find out more information on our international scholarship pages.Link opens in a new window
You may be eligible for financial help from your own government, from the British Council or from other funding agencies. You can usually request information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, or from the local British Council office.
Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship
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.
We provide extra financial support for qualifying students from lower income families. The Warwick Undergraduate Bursary is an annual award of up to £3,000 per annum. It is intended to help with course-related costs and you do not have to pay it back.
As part of the 'City of Sanctuary' movement, we are committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. We provide a range of scholarships to enable people seeking sanctuary or asylum to progress to access university education.
Further information
Find out more about Warwick undergraduate bursaries and scholarships.
Eligibility for student loans
Your eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality and residency status, your course, and previous study at higher education level.
Check if you're eligible for student finance.
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees. It is non-means tested, which means the amount you can receive is not based on your household income. The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you won’t have to set up any payments.
Maintenance Loan for living costs
You can apply for a Maintenance Loan towards your living costs such as accommodation, food and bills. This loan is means-tested, so the amount you receive is partially based on your household income and whether you choose to live at home or in student accommodation.
If you’re starting a course on or after 1 August 2021, you usually must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement SchemeLink opens in a new window to get student finance.
Tuition Fee Loan
If you are an EU student and eligible for student finance you may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees. It is non-means tested, which means the amount you may receive is not based on your household income. The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you won't have to set up any payments.
Help with living costs
For the 2024 academic year, you may be eligible for help with your living costs if both of the following apply:
- You have lived in the UK for more than 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of your course
And
- You have Settled Status (see further details on Settled Status)Link opens in a new window
If you are coming to the UK from 1st January 2021, you may need to apply for a visaLink opens in a new window to study here.
Please note: Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Find out more about government student loans for EU studentsLink opens in a new window
Repaying your loans
You will repay your loan or loans gradually once you are working and earning above a certain amount. For students starting their course after 1 August 2023, the repayment threshold is £25,000. Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.
Find out more about repaying your student loanLink opens in a new window.
Placements and work experience
WMG at the University of Warwick runs a number of internship and work placement programmes for undergraduate students each year.
Find out more about work experience at WMG.Link opens in a new window
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
WMG at Warwick
Having forged strong links with global companies through 40 years of collaborative research and development, we really understand the global market you’ll be operating in, and have designed our programmes to match.
Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window
Our courses
Related degrees
Life at Warwick
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities. A place where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. Our supportive, energising, welcoming space creates the ideal environment for forging new connections, having fun and finding inspiration.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
Warwick Accommodation
Finding the right accommodation is key to helping you settle in quickly.
We have 12 self-catering undergraduate halls of residence on campus.
Our student property management and lettings agency manages more than 8,000 rooms both on and off campus, and provides advice to all full-time undergraduates.
Our campus
You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible new sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.
Food and drink
We have lots of cafés, restaurants and shops on campus. You can enjoy great quality food and drink, with plenty of choice for all tastes and budgets. There is a convenience store on central campus, as well as two supermarkets and a small shopping centre in the nearby Cannon Park Retail Park. Several of them offer delivery services to help you stay stocked up.
And don't miss our regular food market day on the Piazza with tempting, fresh and delicious street food. Soak up the atmosphere and try something new, with mouth-watering food for all tastes.
Clubs and societies
We currently have more than 300 student-run societies.
So whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Or you could try something new, or even form your own society.
Sports and fitness
Staying active at Warwick is no sweat, thanks to our amazing new Sports and Wellness Hub, indoor and outdoor tennis centre, 60 acres of sports pitches, and more than 60 sports clubs.
Whether you want to compete, relax or just have fun, you can achieve your fitness goals.
Studying on campus
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs.
You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
- The Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas.
- The University Library provides access to over one million printed works and tens of thousands of electronic journals
- Three Learning Grids offering you flexible individual and group study spaces.
Travel and local area
Our campus is in Coventry, a modern city with high street shops, restaurants, nightclubs and bars sitting alongside medieval monuments. The Warwickshire towns of Leamington Spa and Kenilworth are also nearby.
The University is close to major road, rail and air links. London is just an hour by direct train from Coventry, with Birmingham a 20-minute trip. Birmingham International Airport is nearby (a 20-minute drive).
Wellbeing support and faith provision
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Our Chaplaincy is home to Chaplains from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. We provide regular services for all Christian denominations and a Shabbat meal every Friday for our Jewish students. There is also an Islamic prayer hall, halal kitchen and ablution facilities.
How to apply
Learn more about our application process.
Key dates
Key dates for your application to Warwick.
Writing your personal statement
Make an impression and demonstrate your passion for your course.
After you've applied
Find out how we process your application.
Our Admission Statement
Read Warwick's Admission Statement
3 ways to connect
Talk to us
Join us at a live event. You can ask about courses, applying to Warwick, life at Warwick, visas and immigration, and more.
Warwick Experience
Take a virtual, student-led campus tour. Then join an interactive panel session, where you can hear from and chat to our current students and staff.
Student blogs
Explore our student blogs in OurWarwick. You can read about campus life from students themselves, and register to post questions directly to students.
Explore campus with our virtual tour
Our 360 tour lets you:
- Watch student videos
- View 360 photography and drone footage
- Learn about facilities and landmarks
Explore our campus virtually through our 360 campus tour now
Come to an Open Day
Don’t just take it from us, come and see for yourself what Warwick is all about. Whether it's a virtual visit or in-person, our University Open Days give you the chance to meet staff and students, visit academic departments, tour the campus and get a real feel for life at Warwick.
