Immerse yourself in all aspects of cyber forensics, gaining essential skills in revealing how cybercrime has happened and who is responsible. Developing enquiry and analysis skills, you’ll learn how to gather and present evidence as an expert witness in criminal and civil investigations.
Computer and Cyber Forensics focuses on investigating a cybercrime after it has been committed. All students on this course adhere to the Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) guidelines. These standards lead the development of official forensic investigation practices and are adhered to by law enforcement and commercial computer forensic organisations worldwide.
You’ll use industry software including AccessData FTK – a sector standard in digital investigation technology – and a range of tools that analyse and recover information from mobile devices. You’ll be taught by lecturers with significant industry experience as well as guest lectures from industry practitioners. Previous visitors have included professionals from BT, Raytheon, CGI and Hewlett Packard.
The majority of your learning is practical, using industry-standard tools, techniques and practices. Alongside lectures, you’ll undertake group work and individual projects. There are no exams on this course – all assessments are done through individual coursework.
You’ll learn in our new purpose-built School of Computing and Technology. We have a dedicated cyber lab where you can practice your skills in a digitally protected environment – with purpose-built break-out areas for workshop sessions, games consoles and screens in social areas, and the latest computing technology and software. There’s a strong sense of community, with staff and students sharing work, relaxation space, ideas and creativity.
You can apply to study this course on campus at the University of Gloucestershire, or at the Swindon Institute of Technology (ioT).
112 UCAS tariff points, BBC at A levels, DMM at BTEC or a Merit in your T-Level..
If you are using a combination of qualifications to achieve the required UCAS tariff points, they must either include at least 2 A levels, a BTEC or an equivalent qualification.
If you are unsure whether we could make you an offer or you have any questions, just get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to advise you.
English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.
This course is available with an integrated foundation year to help you prepare. A degree with an integrated foundation year starts your studies with a year spent learning the skills required to progress onto a full honours degree. You will develop valuable study skills, communication, team work and problem-solving techniques which help to build your confidence and prepare you for the rest of your course.
Typical offers
48 UCAS tariff points, DD at A levels, PPP at BTEC or a Pass in your T Level.
GCSEs
Grade C/4 in English Language/Literature and Mathematics, or equivalent (e.g. Level 2 Functional Skills).
We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. Also please note – some courses require several years of relevant work experience.
Please read the entry requirements for your country – and you’re welcome to contact our admissions team if you have questions.
Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (it's unlikely but the contents and structure of the course could change).
Module information is not available for this programme.
| Start date | Location | UCAS code |
Fee (UK) per year |
Fee (international) per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2022 | Park, Cheltenham | SB7F | £9,250 | £15,000 |
| Sep 2022 | Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology | SB7F | £9,250 | £15,000 |
| Sep 2023 | Park, Cheltenham | SB7F | TBC | TBC |
| Sep 2023 | Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology | SB7F | TBC | TBC |
Graduates from this course can go on to work in:
Real-life case studies are a core part of this course, covering areas such as identity theft and financial crime, as well as information technology law.
Our connections with the following organisations mean you’ll benefit from leading professionals in lectures, exciting work placement opportunities and valuable networking events in preparation for your graduate career. We have links with Raytheon, Northrop Drummond, GE Aviation, GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft, Zurich Insurance, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, NCC and CGI. If you choose the four year course, you’ll do a one year work placement as part of your course.
Take our computing profile quiz to discover your computing profile!
Learn how to gather, recover and present digital evidence to court or civil hearing. You’ll follow the Association of Chief Police Officers’ guidelines which lead the development of cyber forensic investigation practices across the UK.
Gain the edge by using industry-standard software including AccessData FTK, the global standard in digital investigation technology, and CelleBrite which analyses and recovers information from mobile devices.
As well as being taught by staff with impressive industry experience, you’ll hear from inspirational guest speakers. Previous visitors have included Andrea Simmons from Hewlett Packard and David Hopkins from the Intellectual Property Office.
Experience delivering expert evidence in our Moot Court and obtain the Bond Solon certification in Courtroom Skills Training – Witness Familiarisation. You’ll also experience the Crime Scene House where you will examine a crime scene for sources of digital evidence.
Students on the four-year sandwich degree have undertaken work placements with forensics organisations including Gloucester Constabulary and CGI. Many students proceed into graduate roles with these organisations.
“They built the UK police database and were involved in Rosetta’s space probe that recently landed on a comet. It’s a dream job out of uni. It was because of the uni that I got the job. They brought in a guest speaker from CGI and it went from there. Uni lecturers were fantastic. In my second year, we built a reporting app for the council. We showcased it at our final year show, ComX. My final year project was penetration testing, researching phishing attacks on corporate IT systems.”
Matt Stillman, graduate
“I have many years experience in digital forensics and my passion lies in recovering data from mobile devices. I established and developed the mobile phone recovery for Gwent Police. In former employment I provided electronic security and surveillance support for politically sensitive, military and high value private targets.”
Stuart Richards, Course Leader in Cyber Forensics
