Cyber Security

High-level technical skills

With the increase in organisations reliance on IT systems, cyber security is a vital requirement. As the number of security-related incidents continues to grow, so does the demand for expertise in cyber security. As organisations increasingly look to defend themselves against inevitable cyber attacks, the number of openings for graduates with cyber security expertise grow rapidly. If you are an enthusiast in latest technologies with a flair for problem-solving and a capacity for quick thinking, a fulfilling career in cyber security is for you.  

Our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security prepares you to become a successful security specialist. You will study essentials skills such as ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, incident management, security architecture and development, as well as information assurance methodologies, security policies, legal and regulatory requirements and risk assessment.

We will equip you with the know-how to critically analyse and evaluate response strategies to security-related incidents. You will also develop the technical skills needed to specify, build and develop the physical infrastructure, hardware and software to ensure solutions are robust and secure.  

Benefit from flexibility

You’ll gain fundamental knowledge in your first year studying modules alongside students on our other Computing degrees. At the end of your first year, you’ll then have the option to transfer to one of the following courses if you wish: 

• BSc (Hons) Computer Science 
• BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming 
• BSc (Hons) Information Technology 
• BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (subject to Mathematics prerequisites) 

You’ll then go on to study more specialist modules in your second year with further options to tailor your studies to an area of your interest in your final year. 

Academic partnership

We are a member of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) Academic Partner Programme. Our course has been recognised as industry standard and provides a link between our University with the information security industry. As a student, it will enable you to create contacts and develop your network within the cyber security community. You’ll also be able to take up individual CIISec membership. 

Boost your employability

Employability skills are integrated into many of the modules taught on the BSc (Hons) Cyber Security.  You can even choose to spend a year on a relevant placement working alongside industry professionals – an experience that will give you the edge in the graduate job market. 

In addition to assisting with internships and placements, we offer wide-ranging support to help you enhance your future prospects during your studies and to secure graduate roles when you have completed your course. This includes employability workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as CV writing and interview preparation. 

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You won’t have any written exams. Instead you’ll be assessed either through coursework only, or by a combination of: 

• Coursework 
• Portfolios 
• Assignments 
• Case studies 
• Oral and graphic presentations 
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork projects 
• Computer-based testing

There is significant demand for skills in developing, maintaining and securing computer systems, as well as on the engineering side of security protocol development and research. 

This degree delivers comprehensive training and equips you with the personal attributes you need for a variety of careers within the cyber security field. 

• Cloud security specialist 
• Security architect 
• Penetration tester 
• Computer forensics analyst 
• Application security engineer 

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.