Cyber Security
Entry requirements
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 Maths at grade C or 4
UCAS Tariff
This must include at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example: BBC at A Level. DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma. A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
- Study diverse cyber-security and computing topics.
- Develop knowledge of web and mobile security, and their governance.
- Build a solid theoretical grounding in systems, networks and data communication.
- Gain useful industry credentials through British Computer Society accreditation.
- Have the opportunity to work abroad — Erasmus funding is available for European placements.
On this course, you'll learn about cyber security from penetration testing to ethical hacking and network intrusion. Upon graduation, you'll have attained specialist credentials, and be ready to tackle real cyber security threats.
**How you learn**
On this specialist course in cyber security, you develop professional understanding, insight and skill in computer and information security. You'll work with industry employers and expert staff, cementing both your practical and theoretical knowledge.
Assessments are varied, and include reports, presentations, demonstrations, discussions and online activities.
**You learn through**
- lectures
- seminars
- practical tutorial sessions
There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus programme (subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus programme following the Brexit transition period).
**Applied learning**
**Work placements**
In your third year, you can take a one-year paid work placement. Work placements offer you valuable experience, and an enjoyable opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills.
Many organisations need experienced IT and cyber security staff, and a placement will give you the experience you need to add to your CV to secure a desirable security-related position in a competitive job market. We help you to gain a placement and support you through the application process.
During the placement, you will be mentored by a member of academic staff, who will visit you at your place of work. Previous students have worked at organisations including
- Cisco
- Citrix
- 3Squared
- Next
- Servelec Group
- Hewlett-Packard Ltd
- IBM Ltd
**Networking opportunities**
You will have the opportunity to talk with a number of dynamic companies and professionals that specialise in the field of cyber security, as well as others concerned with the sector.
In the past we have invited Citrix, Cisco, PwC, Sec-1 and other individual consultants in the cyber security industry give guest lectures and seminars.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Computer Systems And Architecture 20
Introduction To Computer And Information Security 20
Mathematics And Cryptography 20
Networking Fundamentals 20
Professionalism And Employability Skills 20
Programming Fundamentals 20
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Database Administration And Security 20
Ethical Hacking 20
Network Intrusion Detection 20
Network Services And Administration 20
Project Based Learning 20
Secure Networking Technologies 20
Year 3
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advanced Penetration Testing 20
Enterprise Applications Management 20
Information Security Management 20
Mobile Security 20
Project (Network, Cyber And Forensics) 40
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.
The Uni
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
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.
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.
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.
Computing
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£22k
£26k
£29k
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.
Explore these similar courses...







This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Course location and department:
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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?
Have a question about this info? Learn more here