Cyber Security and Networks BSc (Hons)

In the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity, organisations grapple with evolving threats. This makes it essential for both businesses and government agencies to safeguard their systems. This increases the demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals for proactive defence strategies. 

Our cyber security course gives you the skills that are needed for entry-level cyber security jobs.

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of protecting organisations, networks, IT systems, and individuals from cyber-attacks
• Learn from academics actively engaged in cybersecurity research and with substantial industry experience
• 93 Percent of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on “The Teaching on my Course” in the 2024 National Student Survey. 

Highly rated by our students

• 93 percent of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on “The Teaching on my Course” in the 2024 National Student Survey.
• (National Student Survey 2024, Results published 10 July 2024)

Skills

• Our computing courses are ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2020)

Careers first

• Gain technical knowledge and expertise in cyber threat intelligence, risk management, and relevant industry standards. You will be able to fulfil demanding roles in the field of cyber security.

Foundation Year

The purpose of the extra foundation year is to prepare you for the main cyber security programme, equipping you with the necessary academic skills and a firm grounding in the subject of cyber security.

• Key Skills 
• Mental Wealth; Professional Life (Group Project) 
• Level 4 Primers 
• Applied Maths 
• Introduction to Computing 
• Business Information Systems 

Year 1

• Information Systems Modelling and Design Core Module
• Software Development Core Module
• Computer Systems and Networks Core Module
• Web Technologies Core Module
• Maths for Computing Core Module
• Mental Wealth; Professional Life 1 (IT Project Pitching) Core Module

Year 2

• Database Systems Core Module
• Cyber Security Core Module
• Mental Wealth; Professional Life 2 (Computing in Practice) Core Module
• Systems Administration Core Module
• Data Communications and Networks Core Module
• Information Systems, Strategy and Management Core Module

Year 3

• Mental Wealth; Professional Life 3 (Project) Core Module
• Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Computing Core Module
• Project Management Core Module
• Business Continuity Planning Core Module
• Advanced Topics in Cyber Security and Networks Core Module

Your future career

• Students who complete this cyber security programme can look forward to rewarding careers in IT, principally as cyber security analysts, information security officers, IT security auditors, risk analysts, or in other roles with significant responsibility for computer, network and information security.
• In today's digital landscape, cyber security jobs have become increasingly vital. With the constant threat of cyber attacks looming over businesses and individuals alike, the demand for skilled professionals in this field continues to surge.

Industry links

• We have links with Microsoft IT and CompTIA Academy, Cisco and AWS. Our connections with them can help you start your career in cyber security.

Graduate employers

• By securing a cyber security graduate job, recent graduates can embark on a rewarding journey to become vital assets in defending against cyber threats and ensuring the security of digital infrastructure.
• Typical employers are from large and medium commercial organisations, government agencies, defence cyber security operations, and many more.

Job roles

• By completing this cyber security degree, you will be well-equipped for cyber security graduate jobs and positions in cyber security jobs in London. 
• Graduates can look forward to careers in system and network administration, roles which require a detailed understanding of networks and operating systems but also the methods, tools and techniques for securing them.

Further study

As you complete your cyber security degree, you may choose to pursue further studies with our postgraduate courses like:

• MSc Cyber Security Engineering
• MSc Information Security and Digital Forensics
• Prof Doc Information Security

How we support your career ambitions

• We offer dedicated career support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career in cyber security, and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including: 

• Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work 
• Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts 
• 1-2-1 career coaching services
• Careers workshops and employer events 
• Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

• Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

We are careers first
Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top:

• Work-based projects
• Networking and visits to leading organisations
• Support in starting a new business
• London on our doorstep

How you'll learn
The programme is taught by our academics who have subject matter expertise in various areas of cyber security and networks.

Guided independent study

• Our Docklands campus has excellent computing resources, including specialised labs to study networking and operating system environments such as Windows and Linux within virtual environments. 
• You'll be given various industry-specific standards and case study scenarios to understand and analyse the cyber security threats and risks. A wide range of software tools is also given for network traffic monitoring, programming, cyber threat analysis, database development, internet access and web-based development. 
• Developing transferable skills is essential for graduates who wish to work in the cyber security industry. Therefore, a significant proportion of your time will also be spent working in groups with your fellow students within a given time frame and presenting your work in front of students and academics.
• Experience in group work is essential for graduates who wish to work in the IT industry. 

Academic support

• As a cyber security and networks degree student, a lot of your learning takes place via technology. We have a virtual learning environment to keep you connected with your tutors and fellow students. 

Dedicated personal tutor

• You'll have a personal tutor to oversee your progress, module leaders for different parts of the course and tutors for each year group.

Workload

• Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.

Your timetable

• You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course. 
• Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm.

Class sizes

• The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work.

How you'll be assessed

• You will be assessed in a number of different ways including individual or group coursework or presentations, and exams. You might be asked to write a report, give a presentation or a demonstration of a piece of software or, in some cases, complete a practical task under examination conditions involving aspects of information system development, software development, network, cyber system analysis, threat and risks analysis, and research findings. 
• Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.

Our campus and the surrounding area

• Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.
• Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.
• The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world. We are well connected to central London and London City Airport is just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.