Ethical Hacking
Abertay University
UCAS Code: GG45 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
To include one of the following:- Computer Science, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Design & Technology, Digital Technology, Engineering Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Physics Any Vocational Level 3 qualification in a technical subject accepted in lieu of Technical A Level Entry into Year 2 with ABB to include Computer Science and one from Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Design & Manufacture, Graphic Design, Engineering Science
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
To include one of:- Computer Science, Human Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Geography, Maths: Analysis & Approaches, Physics at H4 or S5 Entry into Year 2 with 34 Points to include Computer Science and one from Maths:Analysis & Approach, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Design & Manufacture, Graphic Design, Engineering Science plus one other Higher
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
To include one of:- Computer Science, Maths, Human Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Geography, Physics
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Applied Sciences Creative Media Production Electrical/Electronic Engineering Engineering IT Entry into Year 2 with D*DD - IT
Scottish Advanced Higher
Entry into Year 2 to include 3 Higher subects at grade 4 to include Computer Science and one from Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Design & Manufacture, Graphic Design, Engineering Science
Scottish HNC
Entry into Year 2 with an HNC in one of the following:- Computer Games Development - Graded Unit B to include H1F7 Professionalism and Ethics in Computing Computing - Graded Unit B to include H17X Software Development: Programme Foundations Next Gen Computing - Graded Unit M to include Software Development and Network Infrastructure or Computer Science Cyber Security - Graded Unit B to include J0HD Scripting for Security Digital Design & Development - Graded Unit B to include H171 Software Development: Programming Foundations Entry into Year 1 with an HNC in one of the following:-
Scottish HND
Entry into Year 3 with HND Cyber Security - Graded Unit B to include H171 Sof Dev: OOP. Or J27J Computer Programming and HH3L Programming: Applied Math Entry into Year 2 with an HND in one of the following:- Computer Games Development - Graded Unit B to include H1F7 Professionalism & Ethics in Computing Computer Science - Graded Unit B to include H17X Soft Dev: Programme Foundations or H171 Software Development OOP Computing: Networking - Graded Unit B to include H17X Software Development: Programme Foundations Computing: Software Development - Graded Unit B Computing: Technical Support - Graded Unit B to include H17X Software Development: Programme Foundations Digital Design & Development - Graded Unit B to include H171 Software Development: Programming Foundations Entry into Year 1 with an HND in one of the following:- Computer Networking & Internet Technology - Graded Unit B Information Technology - Graded Unit B Interactive Media - Graded Unit B
Scottish Higher
To include one of:- Computer Science, Maths, Human Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Geography, Physics or NPA in Cybersecurity - Graphic Communication is NOT a Technical subject
T Level
Technical subject
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Launched in 2006, Abertay's Ethical Hacking degree was the first of its kind in the world, and is recognised as one of the UK's leading vocational security programmes. With the demand for qualified ethical hackers and cyber security specialists rising year on year, coupled with high starting salaries, there has never been a better time to study this fascinating field.
Abertay’s BSc (Hons) Ethical Hacking is within its renowned School of Design and Informatics and is accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
You will learn a practical and offensive approach, by deliberately breaking computer systems and building cybersecurity defences. The course combines computer networking, digital forensics and expert development as well as programming. You will learn how to protect data and information systems.
Abertay’s Ethical Hacking degree gives you a deep understanding of cybercrime so you have the skills to stop hackers. Our links with Industry and recruitment opportunities are outstanding.
Abertay is widely recognised as having been instrumental in building the city of Dundee’s place as a global hub for computing and gaming. Our rankings include:
• UK University of the Year 2021 - Teaching Quality (The Times/ Sunday Times Good University Guide)
• UK Top 10 - Student Satisfaction & Teaching (Guardian Good University Guide 2021)
• UK Top 10 - Student Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2020)
Modules
Year 1 core modules (subject to change over time) - CMP101 Computer Hardware Architecture & Operating Systems; CMP109 Computer Networking 1; CMP104 Programming with C++; CMP110 Introduction to Security; CMP102 Software Design.
You will also be required to select one elective module. For detailed module information please check our website.
Assessment methods
Acquisition of knowledge is facilitated and fostered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, practicals, directed reading and student-centred learning. The majority of modules make use of online learning resources. Case studies are used to illustrate real world examples and to provide an opportunity for critical analysis and evaluation. Cognitive skills are consistently promoted and developed by means of lectures, tutorial directed reading, seminars and student-centred learning. Within practical exercises, students are expected to evaluate their own work to ensure that products not only work, but are also fit for purpose. Assessments are designed to develop and assess the achievement of the level of performance expected at each level. Knowledge and understanding is assessed using projects, reports, portfolios and practical assessments. Only approximately 20% of the programme is assessed by examination.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Abertay Campus
School of Design and Informatics
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.
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.
£26k
£30k
£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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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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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:
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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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