BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Cyber Security

Become a skilled practitioner in the principles and practice of cyber security. Develop in-demand skills to help protect organisations from the threat of cyber crime.

• This course produces multi-skilled, highly competent graduates who are equipped to become leaders in their career field and who understand the implications of their work both for themselves and for society as a whole.
• Through the programme, you will study two integrated strands of work which help you to develop both your computational thinking and your skills as an engineer. It is the combination of these two areas that will make you attractive to employers, enabling you to make an immediate contribution when you move into employment.
• The programme will provide you with a solid foundation in the principles and practices of computer science, including coding, mathematics and basic engineering; with breadth in computer science and related technical disciplines; and with advanced training in the focused area of cyber security.
• Key aspects of modern cyber security are covered, from the theoretical building blocks of identity and trust, through to real-world implementations, and discussion of the wider impacts that cyber security has on society.
• You will understand engineering trade-offs that cross disciplines, such as between hardware and software, and you will be able to participate effectively in multidisciplinary teams. You will also develop the skill to contribute professionally to solving complex commercial and industrial engineering problems having undertaken a focused project in the field of cyber security.

Accreditation

• Most of our Computer Science courses are accredited by the BCS (the Chartered Institute for IT) a professional body of computing. We will be seeking BCS accreditation for this course when our first cohort of students graduate in 2026.

Course content

• All students will study our core topics in computer science, which we have designed to be consistent with the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) curriculum guidelines. These core topics provide the fundamental knowledge that all computer science graduates should possess, and the foundation required to specialise in the third year. 

The core topics are structured into eight streams:

• Theory
• Software
• Systems and Devices
• Data
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Intelligent Systems
• Engineering
• Cyber security

Year 1

• In Year 1, you'll focus on establishing a solid foundation regardless of your previous experience of programming and computing.

Core Modules:

• Software 1: Foundations of Programming for Computer Science
• Theory 1: Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Software 2: Object Oriented Data Structures and Algorithms
• Systems and Devices 1: Introduction to Computer Architectures
• Theory 2: Formal Languages and Automata

Academic integrity module

• In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2

• Year 2 of the course will build upon the solid foundations you've laid down in Year 1. You’ll take modules from streams 1 to 5 to deepen your learning, start on two further streams studying intelligent systems and undertake a group engineering project. You should develop your interests which you will then begin to focus on in Year 3.

Core Modules:

• Data: Introduction to Data Science
• Systems and Devices 2: Operating Systems, Security, and Networking
• Theory 3: Computability, Complexity and Logic
• Intelligent Systems 1: Machine Learning and Optimisation
• Engineering 1: Systems and Software Engineering
• Systems and Devices 3: Advanced Computer Systems

Year 3

• In Year Three, you'll really get under the skin of the specialist areas which interest you.

Core modules

• Computer Science Project (Cyber Security topic)

As well as your individual project on a Cyber Security related topic you will take at least two Cyber Security designated optional modules, examples can be found below:

• Cryptography Theory and Practice
• Ethical Hacking, Analysis and Investigation
• Network Security

Option modules

You will study one or two option modules depending on how many Cyber Security designated modules you choose. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

• AI Problem Solving with Search and Logic
• Autonomous Robotic Systems Engineering
• Computer Vision and Graphics
• Embedded Systems Design and Implementation
• Engineering 2: Advanced Software Engineering
• Evolutionary and Adaptive Computing
• High-Integrity Systems Engineering
• High-Performance Parallel and Distributed Systems
• Human Factors: Technology in Context
• Intelligent Systems: Probabilistic and Deep Learning
• Legal Practice, Technology and Computer Science
• Player Experiences in Digital Games
• Qualitative Approaches to Investigating UX
• Quantum Computation
• Research Methods in Computer Science
• Software 3: Functional Programming

Elective modules

• You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Learning by design

• Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Careers and skills

• The move towards a digital economy creates demand for computer scientists and software engineers across a broad section of employers, so the skills you develop here will make you attractive to many organisations. Most of our graduates go into the field of IT/computing, followed by financial services, some undertake further study (eg PhD) and others go straight into industry (for example working for IBM, BAE Systems).
• Many of our graduates are employed by software and electronics industries, but the continuing expansion of the use of computers in commercial and financial operations means that you will be able to find employment in other industries - and here your sharpened numeracy and analytical skills will have prepared you well.
• Read some profiles of our past students and find out how their degree from York helps them to do jobs in organisations as diverse as Mars Inc and Cancer Research UK. Other companies that York graduates have gone on to work for include Amazon, BAE Systems, Morgan Stanley, G Research, Thales, the Civil Service, M&G Investments, Ubisoft, Rapita Systems, Sky, BT, Raspberry Pi, IBM, JP Morgan, Hut Group and Automaton Games.

Career opportunities

• Computer programmer
• Software engineer
• Software developer
• Business analyst
• Research scientist
• Network manager
• IT Systems manager

Transferable skills

• At York, you will gain a broad understanding of all of the essential scientific principles, engineering techniques and practices in Computer Science. This allows you to be flexible and adapt quickly in any field that you wish to go into. 

More specifically, we can identify four main skill areas:

• Analytical skills
• Research skills
• Management skills
• Communication skills