Work on live business cases to defend against cyber security risks. You’ll study the cyber environments of banks, high-security digital environments, ecommerce and social media platforms, graduating well-equipped to protect cyber environments across business sectors.
Our Cyber and Computing Security degree focuses on protecting against cybercrime before it happens. You’ll develop specialisms through module choices to match your career goals. Optional subjects include data analytics, information security and digital crime scene investigation. You’ll also examine ‘hot’ cybercrime topics. These include the latest security crimes in the news, as well as big data and Cloud systems which have both significantly increased commercial security risks.
You’ll learn to identify security breaches and implement solutions using the latest industry tools and techniques. Through hands-on experience of analysing secure networks and websites, you’ll develop skills around penetration testing, malware identification and ethical hacking. From network design (the physical securing of network components) and operating systems security with a focus on Windows, MAC OS and Linux, to information security (keeping cyber information secure in a business environment), you’ll graduate well prepared for your next step.
The majority of your learning will be 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 – you’ll be assessed through individual or group-based coursework.
You’ll learn in our new purpose-built School of Computing and Technology. This includes a dedicated cyber security lab where you can practice your skills in a digitally protected environment with an isolated network, 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 both work and relaxation space.
112 tariff points (calculate your points at UCAS.com)
Your points must include at least 2 A Levels, BTEC or equivalent qualifications, for example:
BBC at A levels, DMM at BTEC or use a combination of qualifications to achieve the required tariff.
If your course has a fast-track option that you’re applying to, you’ll also need to pass an entry interview.
This course is available with an integrated foundation year to help you prepare.
We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants though the entry requirements still apply.
Some courses require several years of working experiences in the relevant industry.
Please read the entry requirements for your country – and you’re welcome to contact our admissions team if you have questions.
English and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.
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 2021 | Park, Cheltenham | — | — | — |
| Sep 2021 | Park, Cheltenham | — | — | — |
| Sep 2022 | Park, Cheltenham | — | — | — |
| Sep 2022 | Park, Cheltenham | — | — | — |
Graduates from this course can go on to work in:
Our connections with the following organisations mean you’ll benefit from leading professionals in lectures, exciting work placement opportunities and networking events in preparation for your graduate career. We’re linked with Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, GE Aviation, GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft, Zurich Insurance, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Gloucester Constabulary and CGI. If you choose the four year course, you’ll do a one year work placement as part of your course.
The course is underpinned by strong ethical and legal foundations. These foundations are paramount to you moving into and progressing through a successful computer security career.
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. Use Kali Linux and Cisco Network Packet Tracer – well-recognised and in high-demand tools used to protect organisations against cyberattacks within the industry.
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.
If you choose the four-year study option, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement. Our students have recently worked at IBM Security, Hewlett-Packard and Intel.
“This means that in addition to my ‘day job’ I am also on the Graduate Leadership Development Programme, where I am training to become a future leader within Raytheon. I chose to study at the University of Gloucestershire because it was so welcoming – and out of all the universities that I had visited, the lecturers felt most invested in wanting to help us get more than just a degree. Without the university working with Raytheon, I would never have found the job that I have now. I was awarded a £3,500 bursary from Raytheon for my dissertation and a job offer – I am now 14 months into that role and still loving it!”
Llamara Swann, graduate
“I have since embarked on a career in Computer Science where I have been involved in research using machine learning to detect cyber security threats. I received the IEEE Best Paper Award for a cyber security solution and helped develop an unmanned ground vehicle that came second place in an inter-university challenge during my MSc.”
Dr Thomas Win, Academic Course Leader for Cyber and Computer Security
