Computer Science (Cyber Security)
University of Plymouth
UCAS Code: I104 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
120-128 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths. If you hold a Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths, please contact the institution
Considered in combination.
Pass Access to HE Diploma (e.g. Computing/IT/Science/ Humanities/Engineering) with at least 33 Level 3 credits at Merit and/or Distinction to include 12 credits at level 3 in Maths with Merit.
Considered in combination.
Considered in combination
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent.
120-128 UCAS points from Higher Level Maths and English considered within as GCSE equivalent at H1-H7 or O1-O4
Considered in combination.
Considered in combination.
Considered in combination. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.
Considered in combination. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.
Considered in combination. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.
Considered in combination. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths We will consider Maths modules within the BTEC alongside Grade C/4 GCSE Maths - enquire at institution.
Considered in combination.
120-128 UCAS points to include 2 Advanced Highers Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths or an equivalent
Considered in combination with Advanced Highers
T Level
Merit to Distinction Overall depending on the Mathematics units studying within the T Level pathways
UCAS Tariff
To include a minimum of 2 A Levels. Applicants are required to have Grade B/5 in GCSE Maths. If you hold a Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths, please contact the institution
Considered in combination
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Cyber security is an ever-increasing demand within every organisation across the world. This course explores the biggest threats to our data from hackers, malicious coders and social engineers to crackers, viruses, trojans, worms, botnets, zombies, phishing and pharming. Develop the knowledge and skills to design, develop and manage secure systems.
- **Become an industry-recognised professional** Pursue certifications such as EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), forensics ACE (AccessData Certified Examiner) and Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI). Make use of our links to professional and industry bodies, including academic partnerships with the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) and BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
- **Put theory into practice** in our Security and Forensics Laboratory alongside world-leading academics on the way to gaining opportunities for careers with intelligence services, large consulting firms and defence contractors like L3, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.
- **Benefit from our strong industry connections** Secure a high-quality placement and jobs at large companies such as Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, GlaxoSmithKline and many more. From year one, we support you to find and prepare for a placement year at a leading company.
- **Learn to solve real problems** Even without completing an optional placement year, there may be opportunities to make a difference to real businesses by creating useful applications or by providing consultancy for clients.
- **Join our community** Get the chance to join the active student-led Computer and Information Security Society (CISS), which organises additional seminars and other activities in order to further enhance your experience at Plymouth. Previous activities have included a trip to the historic WWII code-breaking centre at Bletchley Park.
- **Hone your research skills** We work closely with our Centre for Cyber Security, Communications and Network Research.
- **Make use of cutting-edge facilities** Students in engineering, science and the arts have access to a range of specialist equipment and innovative laboratories in our new engineering and design facility. You'll also have access to specialist laboratories equipped with various hardware and software configurations.
Modules
In the first year we introduce you to the world of information security: hackers, crackers, viruses, trojans, worms, botnets, zombies, phishing and pharming. You underpin your computing knowledge in programming, computer systems, networks, and systems analysis and design.
In the second year we explore topics in the development of secure systems: access control, authentication, biometrics, trusted computing, secure coding, cryptography, vulnerability management and malware analysis. The security project draws on your studies so far and enables you to design, develop and evaluate security software and prepare you for placement.
We strongly recommend that you take a placement year during your third year, to develop your professional experience and significantly enhance your CV.
In your final year you will deepen your understanding of key network security concepts and develop the skills required to undertake penetration testing, intrusion analysis and digital forensics. Master all the varying elements of security by studying information security management, and gain an appreciation of the human, legal and regulatory aspects involved in the design and implementation of information security. A substantial project also helps you to develop specialised skills and expertise, resulting in a showcase of your skills that will help you to stand out when applying for jobs.
The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website
Assessment methods
For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.
The Uni
University of Plymouth
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer science
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Software engineering
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer science
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a newly-classified subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. The subject is linked to important and growing computing industries, and over time we can expect more students to study them — there could be opportunities that open up for graduates in these subjects as the economy develops over the next few years.
Software engineering
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
A specialist subject, and not surprisingly graduates tend to go into software engineering roles or related. The degree classification students achieved made a particular difference last year — computing graduates with the best grades were much less likely to be out of work after six months and employers can even rate a good grade as important as work experience. Most students do get jobs, though, and starting salaries are good — particularly in London, where average starting salaries for good graduates were getting towards £38k last year. Be aware that at the moment, recruitment agencies are much the most common way for graduates from this degree to get their first job, so it may be worth getting in touch with a few specialist agencies in advance of graduation if you take this degree to get a foot in the door.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer science
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£25k
£28k
£34k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Software engineering
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£25k
£28k
£34k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Lower entry requirementsSame University
Higher entry requirements
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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