Overview
The University of Warwick is recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Research, and an Academic Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Education by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ. In addition, this BSc Cyber Security degree has received full certification, and both of our MSc Cyber Security degrees have received NCSC certified status.
Delivered at the WMG Cyber Security Centre, this BSc degree will help you develop a deep understanding of cyber space, starting with the fundamentals of software development, computer architecture, networks, operating systems, and information risk management.
Cyber space comprises all interactions with networks of digital devices used to store, modify and communicate information, across all time. It is global in reach and vast in scale, extending far beyond the Internet. Its interactions are with people, with the physical environment, and with other digital devices.
Cyber security seeks to enable the good and prevent the bad in cyber space. For you to contribute to this task, you will learn a broad range of theory and practice. Most things will be viewed from two perspectives: what should happen, and what does happen. Many cyber security challenges lurk in this gap between concept and reality.
What is the difference between computer science and cyber security?
Computer science is a broad field that covers the fundamentals of computer systems, including algorithms, data structures, software development, and more. It’s about understanding how computers work and how to create software applications that solve problems.
On the other hand, cyber security is a specialised field that focuses on protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. You’ll dive into understanding potential threats, implementing security measures, and constantly updating defences in response to new risks.
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What will I learn?
You’ll develop a deep understanding of cyber space, starting with the fundamentals of software development, computer architecture, networks, operating systems, and information risk management.
You will explore prevalent cyber security topics in the context of software engineering, programming languages, human-computer interaction, and managing and securing information.
The course has a strong technical focus so that you understand precisely how the digital parts of cyber systems function. However, the role played by people, processes and the physical environment in achieving cyber security is also a critical part of your study. Taken together, you will learn how to harden the security posture of an organisation's cyber systems.
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Modules
Year 1 lays the foundations for you to develop a deeper understanding of cyber space. You'll be studying topics such as software development, computer architecture, networks, operating systems and the fundamentals of cyber security. The following modules are included in your first year of study:
- Software Development and Security
- Cyber Systems Architecture and Organisation
- Discrete Structures for Cyber Security
- Networks, Communications and Cyber Defence
- Operating Systems in the Cyber Context
- Cyber Fundamentals
Year 2 will build on your knowledge and skills by giving you the chance to explore areas such as software engineering, programming languages, human computer interaction, secure systems, managing and securing information, all with a cyber security theme. The following modules are included:
- The Cyber Context of Software Engineering
- Programming Languages for Cyber Security
- Human Behaviour in Cyber Systems
- Implementing Secure Systems
- Information Management
- Information Risk and Security Management
Year 3 incorporates advanced topics in cyber security. You'll also complete an individual project, where you will apply your skills and knowledge to an area of your choice under the supervision of our academics. The following modules are included:
- Low-level Tools and Techniques for Cyber Security
- Data Science, Algorithms, and Complexity in the Cyber Context
- Operational Security Management
- Cyber Security Incident Management
- Individual Project
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How will I learn?
Regular individual and group projects will consolidate your learning, enabling you to apply theory to practical problems.
Workshops
The course is delivered by subject leaders from the WMG Cyber Security Centre. Teaching and learning are delivered via high-intensity workshops with structured independent consolidation activities in between.
The workshops will comprise a mix of conventional lectures, practical laboratory sessions and tutorial sessions. The proportions and emphasis will vary from module to module.
Solving practical problems
The consolidation activities will typically involve the application of material covered in the workshop to a practical problem. Some of this consolidation activity will be individual, some will be working in teams. Some development projects will span several workshops and run for several weeks.
Much of the practical activity will take place in the dedicated cyber security laboratories within the WMG Cyber Security Centre. Your studies will culminate in your final year individual cyber project.
Contact hours
During term time, outside the summer examination period, teaching contact time will typically be 18 hours per week in years one and two.
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How will I be assessed?
Your performance will be assessed by a combination of coursework and written examination. The coursework may be individual or group work involving aspects of cyber system development, cyber system analysis, cyber research, and presentation of findings.
Second-year and final-year assessments contribute 30:70 to your final BSc degree classification.
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Opportunities
Cyber security professionals are in high demand by businesses worldwide, meaning you’ll have access to a wealth of potential career routes in a highly mobile profession when you graduate. Careers could include technical, managerial, and strategic paths in public, private, or charity sectors; enabling social services, commerce, healthcare, transportation, environmental protection and more generally, a secure digital society.
Early career roles could include:
- Network Security Administrator
- Forensic Analyst
- Threat Analyst
- Penetration Tester
- Secure Software Developer
- Junior Consultant
- Audit Compliance
- Technical Consultant
Later career roles could include:
- Security Architect
- Security Assessor
- Security Analyst
- Incident Response Coordinator
- Cyber Security Consultant
- Chief Information Security Officer
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