Cyber Security

BSc Hons

  • UCAS code I900
  • Entry year 2024 or 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

This course has Clearing vacancies for 2024

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Overview

Our BSc Hons Cyber Security programme is designed for the cyber security systems engineers and architects of the future. The programme is grounded in our core computer science programme to provide you with a high-quality understanding of modern computer science, covering both theory and practice.

BSc Hons Cyber Security then adds specialist knowledge and skills with core cyber security concepts, such as security and penetration testing, digital forensics, cryptography, network security and resilient distributed systems. This programme includes advanced, and emergent, cyber security topics, such as security of autonomous systems, secure AI, secure cyber-physical systems and security metrics, which draw on the world-class research expertise in the School of Computing and Communications.

In the first year, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of the discipline, combined with their modern-day application. Throughout your study, you will gain skills and experience from a range of modules, including Software Development, Fundamentals of Computer Science and Digital Systems. Taking a practical approach to education, you are encouraged to build and analyse systems and software, as well as work with end-user feedback to refine and adapt solutions. In addition to progressing your foundational understanding, you will begin to explore the social, ethical and professional issues related to the discipline.

Your second year will include key computer science topics as well as develop a deeper understanding of cyber security concepts and principles, all aligned with the core areas of the UK’s Cyber Body of Knowledge (CyBok). Taking a systems approach, you will explore topics such as cryptography and secure distributed systems and networking. You will also develop your understanding of how attackers target systems through penetration testing and hacking, along with cyber forensics.

Drawing on the expertise of our NCSC Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research, in the third year you will learn about advanced topics, such as adversarial AI, security issues of large scale cyber physical systems such as critical national infrastructures (utilities), and advances in approaches to cyber investigations and security analysis. You will undertake a substantial cyber security focused individual project. In this project you will work closely with one of our academics, expand your problem-solving abilities, and draw upon the skills and knowledge that you have gained throughout your degree. This will be great experience for you to draw upon in an interview and in your career.

This programme is intended to satisfy the requirements for Cyber Security accreditation as defined by National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) accreditation.

Careers

Our graduates of our Cyber Security programmes are well-suited to a wide range of computing roles that require advanced-level knowledge. You will graduate having a firm understanding of the theoretical aspects of cyber security, alongside experience in applying your knowledge to a variety of security scenarios, which is essential for many of the more technical roles within the fields of cyber security and computer science.

Particular graduate destinations may include cyber security architect or analyst, roles within penetration testing and digital forensics, security operations centre analyst, and secure software or hardware development. Many of our students also elect to continue in higher education by studying for MSc or PhD qualifications. Lancaster is home to the Lancaster Security Institute, which specialises in delivering research that innovates and creatively challenges the way that individuals, organisations, and societies secure and protect themselves.

We provide careers advice and host a range of events throughout each academic year. These include our annual careers fair, attended by exhibitors who are interested in providing placements and vacancies to data science students and graduates. You can also speak face-to-face with employers such as Network Rail, Oracle, and Johnson and Johnson, in addition to a broad range of SMEs. Our graduates have gone on to work with major technology companies such as IBM, Google, BBC, and BAE, while others have chosen to take their software design, development, and management skills to SMEs, or have set up their own technology-centric businesses.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

Required Subjects We are committed to encouraging the adoption of the A level Computing curriculum and recognising desirable subjects. Students applying with an A level or IB Higher Level in Computing, Computer Science or Mathematics will be considered for a lower offer.

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, English Language grade C or 4

IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2024/25 are:

Home International
£9,250 £28,675

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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