Buckinghamshire New University
UCAS Code: CYSF | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application. A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
UCAS Tariff
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application. A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
About this course
Cyber security is an increasingly important area to build a rewarding career in. On our practical BSc (Hons) Cyber Security degree programme, we will help prepare you for a successful future in this field. Thanks to our close involvement with the sector, you can be sure we’ll help you develop the skills employers are looking for. You'll benefit from our industry links and experienced and supportive staff. To help you achieve your goals we have also invested in a top-end Cyber Resilience facility at our Aylesbury Campus and well-equipped computer labs.
In the Foundation Year of this four-year course, you’ll build essential academic study skills. This year will help you gain confidence in your abilities. You’ll also identify your strengths and areas for development. Together, these will prepare you for progression to the undergraduate degree.
**Why study Cyber Security at BNU?**
**Industry-Aligned Syllabus**
This degree is crafted to mirror current industry standards and employer needs, making sure you're equipped with up-to-date skills, that are highly valued in the cyber security sector. The course content evolves with advancements in technology, preparing you to tackle emerging cyber threats. Whether it's cryptography, ethical hacking, AI, or risk management, you'll cover it all.
**Hands-on learning**
Engage in practical sessions in our specialised computer labs, designed to simulate the real-world, allowing you to develop and hone the skills essential for a successful career in cyber security. From penetration testing to forensic analysis, you'll have the chance to practice industry techniques on professional standard hardware and software, helping you to gain confidence in your abilities. We focus on learning by doing, so you’re prepared to step into the workplace.
**Learn from industry experts**
Your lecturers aren’t just teachers - they’re seasoned professionals who’ve worked in the cyber security field. This means you’ll gain insider knowledge, practical tips, and real-world insights that textbooks can’t offer. They’ll show you how to apply what you’re learning to real challenges, so you graduate feeling confident and career-ready. Their close ties with the industry mean you'll have opportunities to engage with professionals, participate in networking events, gain exposure to the working world. These connections might open doors to placements, mentorships, and even future employment.
**Committed to student success**
BNU is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals, offering personalized support and resources to ensure you thrive both academically and professionally in the cyber security realm. Whether you need study support, career advice, or mental health services, we’re here for you every step of the way.
**What will I study?**
You will study software design and development, programming languages, technologies and applications which may include Python, Java, HTML, PHP, UML, database technologies, machine learning, algorithms and data structures, web and mobile computing, and Agile software development. Specialist modules allow you to further explore the areas of artificial intelligence, media programming, real-time systems, computer science, cloud computing and security.
You'll begin with the fundamentals in areas such as risk and information management, security auditing and network security before going on to apply what you have learned to various individual and team assignments. We'll help you to develop your ability to think strategically about real-world problems, whilst enhancing your transferable skillset to include analysis, design, research and leadership. In your final year, you'll work on a major project or extended written piece of work. The course provides, through the choice of research topic and via selection of particular advanced option modules, for you to tailor your studies to suit your own individual interest areas and future career ambitions.
Modules
**Foundation Year**
**Core**
Introduction to Programming
Computing Essentials
Core Mathematics
Design Principles
Professional Skills Review
Final Project
**Year one**
**Core**
Computer Architectures
Programming Concepts
Networks
Cyber Systems and Threats
Computing Computational Fundamentals
**Opportunity**
2 x 10 credit year one Opportunity modules
**Year two**
**Core**
Information Security
Malware and Cyber Security Management
Research Methods
**Optional**
Digital Forensics Investigation and Penetration Testing
Data Essentials
Network Systems
**Year three**
**Core**
Secure Business Management
Extended Independent Work
**Optional**
Security Auditing and Response
Network Security
Cloud Computing
Software Testing and QA
Digital Innovation
Assessment methods
You will be taught by a team of expert academics and specialist professionals. Together, they use their collective experience of academia, industry and commerce to give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you’ll need for your career.
The high level of industry experience on our teaching team means we can give you a real flavour of what it’s like to work in a professional environment. We encourage problem-based learning via case studies and classroom exercises throughout the modules. You’ll also benefit from small class sizes that give you a chance to develop close working relationships with other students and tutors.
Course assignments reflect real-life problems because we believe that’s the best way to learn – and it’s more fun! You’ll be taught through lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and seminars.
A variety of assessment methods will be used as appropriate to the module, including assignments carried out in the student’s own time, in-class assignment, workshops and presentations.
The wider Computing Department and our Careers service also offer development opportunities that may involve placements, internships or employment in local companies.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.
The Uni
High Wycombe Campus
School of Creative and Digital Industries
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score 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.
£18k
£23k
£35k
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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Course location and department:
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
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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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
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:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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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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