BSc (Hons) Cyber Security (Level 4 & 5 + Top-up Degree)

Course Name: Diploma in Cyber security (Level 4)

Course Code: PGS/UND/DCS04
Course Level: Undergraduate (First Year)

Study mode: On Campus | Online
ON Campus Fee: Contact PGS Admission

Distance Learning/Online Fee: Contact PGS Admission

Instalment Option Available: Yes 

Scholarship Available: Yes 

Duration: Full-time (6-12 Months)

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Cyber Security threat and risk.
• Network security and data communications.
• Database security and computer programming.
• Incident response, investigations and forensics.
• Security strategy: laws, policies and implementation.

Optional Units: Choose any one

• Cyber Security threats and risk: Banking and finance.
• Cyber wars.

Course Name: Diploma in Cyber Security (LEVEL 5)
Course Code: PGS/UND/DCS05
Course Level: Undergraduate (Second Year)

Study Mode: On Campus | Online
Central London Campus Fee: Contact PGS Admission
Distance Learning/Online Fee: Contact PGS Admission

Instalment Option Available: Yes 

Scholarship Available: Yes 

Duration: Full-time (6-12 Months)

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Cryptography.
• Strategic leadership.
• Digital investigations and forensics.
• Communications and incident management.

OPTION A
BSc (Hons) Cyber Security (Final Year Top-up Degree) Level 6
Delivered and Awarded by: Anglia Ruskin University.
Duration: 12-24 months.
Tuition Fees: £17,700 (2024/25)
Study Options: On-Campus | Class-based Learning

OPTION B
BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics (Top-up) Level 6
Delivered and Awarded by: Sunderland University
Duration: 12-24 months
Tuition Fees: £16,000 (2024/25)
Study Options: On-Campus | Class-based Learning

OPTION C
BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics (Top-up) Level 6

Course Level: Undergraduate Degree Final Year (Level 6)
Delivered and Awarded by: University of Derby
UK/International Tuition Fees: £6,100 (2024/25)
Study Option: Distance Learning – Online
Duration: 12-24 Months

OPTION D
BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics (Top-up) Level 6
Course Level: Undergraduate Degree Final Year (Level 6)
Delivered and Awarded by: Anglia Ruskin University 
UK/International Tuition Fees: £16,700 (2024/25)
Study Option: Blended Learning
Duration:12-24 Months

OPTION E
BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics (Top-up) Level 6
Course Level: Undergraduate Degree Final Year (Level 6)
Delivered and Awarded by: University of West Scotland
UK/International Tuition Fees: £18,000 (2024/25)
Study Option: Online Learning
Duration:12-24 Months

Note: The top up programme can be studied online or on campus. Feel free to contact Phoenix Graduate School admissions team to discuss the best available Bachelor Final year University progression routes (at PGS, in the UK and overseas) and admission requirements.

UK University Study Pathways: Completion of the Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma in Cyber Security will meet the university standard academic entry requirements for an undergraduate final year (top-up) degree. However, each applicant will be subject to individual assessment and other entry requirements, which may affect university entry. Phoenix Graduate School provides university pathways for direct progression to the final year of an undergraduate UK degree. We deliver Ofqual UK recognized and globally accepted qualifications. Feel free to contact our admissions team to discuss university progression routes and admission requirements.

About Ofqual: 

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) regulates qualifications, examinations, and assessments in England. It is a non-ministerial government department with jurisdiction in England. Ofqual operates independently of the government and reports directly to Parliament. Any Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications approved by Ofqual are equivalent to Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Higher National Diplomas (HND), or to Year 1 and Year 2 of a three-year UK Bachelor’s degree program.

Entry Requirements
Entry to the qualification will be through interview and learners will be expected to demonstrate some ability and possess qualifications at Level 3, for example, Levels or vocational awards. Learners may spend some time in an organisational role and show they have the capability and drive to develop computing and IT skills.

• Relevant NQF/QCF/RQF Level 3 Award/Diploma or at the level of Plus 2 or GCE/GCSE or equivalent qualification.
• Learner must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the course.
• Mature Learners (24 years or older) with work experience in management or supervisory roles. (This will also be assessed on a case by case basis)

English requirements: Learners must demonstrate evidence of English language competency.

Recent years have seen an active push to attract individuals to the cybersecurity jobs market. According to the most recent estimates, there is a global shortage of around 3 million cybersecurity qualified professionals. BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics degrees can open doors to seriously well-paid careers in the following job roles.

Penetration Tester
Penetration testers (often referred to as pen testers) are security professionals who help to identify and address security issues in organisations’ networks. This role requires a range of skills across information technology sector, including an understanding of networking, system administration, and software development.

Security Developer 

Cybersecurity is a critical consideration during the development process, and to ensure this, many organizations are employing dedicated Security Developers. In this role, individuals are typically responsible for helping to define detailed documentation and evolving the security strategy for the applications that the business provides.

Security Risk Analyst

Security Risk Analyst professionals are responsible for assisting organizations in managing their information security risks and ensuring that controls are accurately assessed. They are typically involved in understanding which threats could have the most significant impact on a business. They advise boards, using non-technical language, on how they should allocate budgets to mitigate these risks.

Salary Expectation: The salary range can be enormously depending on the role, but an experienced Security Developer could expect to earn around £70,000/year.

Security Risk Analyst 
Security Risk Analyst professionals are responsible for helping organisations to manage their information security risks and ensure controls are accurately assessed. They are typically involved in understanding which threats could have the largest impact on a business. They will advise boards in non-technical language on how they should spend budgets mitigating these risks.

Salary Expectation: An average salary of a Security Risk Analyst is around £35,000/year.

Cyber Security Analysts

Cyber Security Analysts (CSAs) play a crucial role in safeguarding organizations against cyber threats. They utilize a diverse array of logical techniques and relevant technologies to detect, prevent, and manage threats against systems. The primary responsibilities of a CSA typically include monitoring networks for breaches and various types of attacks, investigating security alerts generated by software, and responding to incidents promptly.

Salary Expectation: A typically starting salary of a CSAs will be between £25,000 and £35,000 – more experienced analysts could expect to earn up to £50,000/year.

Network Security Engineer
A Network Security Engineer is tasked with operating and maintaining an organization’s security systems. Key responsibilities of the role include configuring, deploying, and optimizing firewalls, as well as managing network monitoring tools such as SIEM, intrusion detection, and endpoint detection and response platforms. Additionally, an engineer oversees the maintenance of routers, switches, and virtual private networks (VPNs).

Salary Expectation: The average salary for a Network Security Engineer is around £45,000/year.