Cyber Security BSc (UCAS H651)
Find out 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. 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.
General entry requirements
A level typical offer
AAA (applicants from all academic profiles welcome, but STEM subjects are recommended for ease of study onto the programme).
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 AAB ( applicants from all academic profiles welcome, but STEM subjects are recommended for ease of study onto the programme). See if you’re eligible.Link opens in a new window
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
36 ( applicants from all academic profiles welcome, but STEM subjects are recommended for ease of study onto the programme).
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 ( applicants from all academic profiles welcome, but STEM subjects are recommended for ease of study onto the programme). See if you’re eligible.Link opens in a new window
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.
BTEC
We welcome applications from students taking BTECs and/or CTECs and combinations with A levels.
We would require the overall load to be equivalent to 3 A levels and for combinations of qualifications to have no significant subject overlap. applicants from all academic profiles welcome, but STEM subjects are recommended for ease of study onto the programme. A typical offer would be D*D*D* in the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Scotland Advanced Highers
AA in two Advanced Highers and AAB in three additional Highers subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB in three A levels plus grade C in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.
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 requirementsLink opens in a new window. 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.
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
- How to store data over time and communicate it over distance
- How computer systems are organised
- The capabilities of cryptographic techniques
- The processes and procedures that provide assurance that things are as they should be
- 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 fully certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)Link opens in a new window at GCHQ and accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for ITLink opens in a new window.
What is the difference between computer science and cyber security?
Computer science is a broad field that covers the fundamentals of computer systems, including algorithms, data structures, software development, and more. It’s about understanding how computers work and how to create software applications that solve problems. On the other hand, cyber security is a specialised field that focuses on protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. You’ll dive into understanding potential threats, implementing security measures, and constantly updating defences in response to new risks.
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.
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 the fundamentals of cyber security. Mathematical formalisms of discrete structures will be introduced to support a range of other topics.
Year two deepens and broadens your experience by exploring software engineering, programming languages, human computer interaction, secure systems, managing and securing information, all from a cyber security perspective.
The third year incorporates advanced topics in cyber security, incident management, digital forensics, low-level techniques such as identifying 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.
Note that all modules are subject to annual curriculum review and enhancement so may vary slightly from what is described here and currently visible on the module catalogue. Any significant changes will have involved consultation with current affected students or offer holders.
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
In the final year, you will be able to select two optional modules. Below are examples of existing modules but be aware that not all modules may be offered each year or may be replaced to reflect latest practice in Cyber Security.
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, designed to provide practical skills and knowledge that can be directly applied in a professional setting.
For the Individual Project in the final year, you will use a range of methods, tools, and techniques to address your chosen research question. This project will help you to develop a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, and communication. These are skills you will carry into a successful career beyond Warwick.
Teaching
The course is delivered by subject leaders from the WMG Cyber Security Centre. Teaching and learning is delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars, and high-intensity workshops with structured independent consolidation activities in between.
Teaching sessions will comprise a mix of conventional lectures, practical laboratory sessions and tutorial sessions. The proportions and emphasis will vary from module to module.
Solving practical problems
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 WMG 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 18 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
On 4 November the UK government announced an increase in the tuition fee cap for Home students for academic year 2025/26. The University of Warwick’s Executive Board has consequently confirmed a change in fees from the previously advertised rate to £9,535.
Alongside the tuition fee increase, maintenance loans will also rise by 3.1%.
The University expects to increase fees for future years in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK government.
How are fees set?
The UK Government sets tuition fee rates.
To learn more about how the UK student fees and maintenance loans are set, please visit the UK Government websiteLink opens in a new window and UCASLink opens in a new window.
Undergraduate fees
If you are an overseas student enrolling in 2025-26, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:
- Band 1 – £26,290 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
- Band 2 – £33,520 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Maths, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)
Tuition fees for 2026 entry have not been set. We will publish updated information here as soon as it becomes available, so please check back for updates about 2026 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 and available funding from our Student Funding Support.
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 £2,500 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
If you struggle to meet your essential living costs, our Student Funding team Link opens in a new windowwill be on hand to offer advice and support.
There are a number of options that may be available to you including government, bursary and/or hardship support. Warwick also has a number of bursaries and scholarships Link opens in a new windowthat you may be eligible to apply for.
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.
Your career
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.
Career paths could include technical, managerial, and strategic paths in public, private, or charity sectors; 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
- Junior Consultant
- Audit Compliance
- Technical Consultant
Later career roles could include:
- Security Architect
- Security Assessor
- Security Analyst
- Incident Response Coordinator
- Cyber Security Consultant
- Chief Information Security Officer
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
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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 a range of residences for undergraduate students on campus.
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
- Different study spaces 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
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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.