COURSE OVERVIEW
- Access a wide range of specialist software and tools including a dedicated cyber security and forensics laboratory in a state-of-the-art development
- Join a rapidly expanding job market making significant real-world contributions in the digital age
- Learn from a specialist team of research-active academics who work at the forefront of the field
- Develop an appreciation of the wider role information security plays in an organisational context
- Optional placement year to enhance professional development and employability
In 2023, the global annual cost of cybercrime is forecasted to total nearly £6.5 trillion. In the digital age, every company and individual with a digital footprint is at risk of being targeted, with 33 billion accounts predicted to be breached this year. Cyber security therefore has an exponentially vital role to play in the health of the global economy and data security now and in the future, with significant scope for employability.
Through this course, you will enhance your knowledge of information security management, programming, secure systems, digital forensic investigation, and penetration testing.
You will gain a thorough understanding of the structure and operation of computer systems and networks and the impact of cyber security, plus knowledge of the legal system, legal processes, relevant laws and the regulatory environment related to the handling of digital evidence and forensic investigations. You will also gain the ability to undertake digital forensic examinations, collecting and analysing digital evidence to support or oppose an investigative case.
Our students benefit from links to professional and industry bodies including Cisco Networking Academy and the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
You will have access to a wide variety of databases for research purposes, in addition to training within data analysis software such as SPSS, Qualtrics and InVivo. You will also be provided with hands-on use of cutting-edge specialist software, for example Kali Linux.
An optional one-year industry placement between the second and third year offers the chance to enhance your employability, business understanding and professional skills by applying your knowledge in the real-world.
Careers
Graduates of this course will be equipped to enter a variety of cyber security graduate roles and programs, including cyber security analyst, malware analyst and cyber security software engineer.
Pre-approved for a Masters
If you study a Bachelor Honours degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Suitable for Applicants from:
UK, EU, World
Work placement:
Students can undertake an optional 12 month sandwich placement following successful completion at Level 5. BS3958 - Employment Experience offers students the opportunity to undertake meaningful and relevant employment experience (underpinned by the UoW Employer Engagement Strategy 2017).
Learning and teaching
Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.
You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc., you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
Independent learning
Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.
While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4): TIMETABLED TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITY*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 288 hours
Independent learning: 912 hours
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5): TIMETABLED TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITY*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 252 hours
Independent learning: 948 hours
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6): TIMETABLED TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITY*
Teaching, learning and assessment: 180 hours
Independent learning: 1020 hours
*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.
Location:
Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.
Teaching hours
All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.
Assessment
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)*:
- 75% coursework
- 25% written exams
- 0% practical exams
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)*:
- 84% coursework
- 13% written exams
- 3% practical exams
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)*:
- 87% coursework
- 13% written exams
- 0% practical exams
*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Further information
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
2024 Entry: 104-112 UCAS tariff points
Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:
- A-Levels: BCC-BBC from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBC is comparable to ABD in terms of tariff points)
- BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
- International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
- T Level: Pass (C or above on the core) in a T Level
In addition to the above, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.
In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE is required:
-
GCSEs in Mathematics at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.
If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:
- IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
- We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT.
If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.
Course enquiries and applications
Telephone: +44 (0) 1962 827234
Send us a message
International students
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk or calling +44 (0)1962 826247
Visit us
Explore our campus and find out more about studying at Winchester by coming to one of our Open Days.
Year 1 (Level 4)
Modules Credits
| Discovering Your Subject | 30 |
| Computational Thinking | 30 |
| Secure Systems and Infrastructure Design for Organisations | 30 |
| Principles of Programming | 30 |
Year 2 (Level 5)
Modules Credits
| Network Security | 15 | |
| Secure Systems Architectures | 30 | |
|
This module explores protection mechanisms appropriate to various information technology systems and architectures. Mechanisms and cryptographic protocols that help to provide confidentiality and integrity of data together with authentication and authorisation are explored in detail. The principles and fundamentals of system-level security are considered together with a contextual overview of the law and regulations relating to the use of security mechanisms. The practical application of these mechanisms in typical IT systems and architectures are incorporated. |
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| Year 2 Optional Modules | ||
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| Cyber Threat and Applied Cryptography | 15 | |
| Programming Languages | 15 | |
| Applied Research and Consulting | 30 | |
Optional Credits
| Network Security | 15 | |
| Secure Systems Architectures | 30 | |
|
This module explores protection mechanisms appropriate to various information technology systems and architectures. Mechanisms and cryptographic protocols that help to provide confidentiality and integrity of data together with authentication and authorisation are explored in detail. The principles and fundamentals of system-level security are considered together with a contextual overview of the law and regulations relating to the use of security mechanisms. The practical application of these mechanisms in typical IT systems and architectures are incorporated. |
||
| Year 2 Optional Modules | ||
|
||
| Cyber Threat and Applied Cryptography | 15 | |
| Programming Languages | 15 | |
| Applied Research and Consulting | 30 | |
Year 3 (Level 6)
Modules Credits
| Penetration Testing | 15 | |
|
This module introduces the skills required and methodology used to perform penetration testing. Penetration testers simulate cyber-attacks to find security weaknesses in networks, operating systems, and applications. Students will acquire hands-on experience using different tools and techniques for penetration testing by working in our specialised lab equipped with tools such as Kali Linux, Wireshark, WebGoat, Nmap and Burp Suite. In this module, the student will learn how to crack passwords and wireless networks, test web applications for vulnerabilities, use the Metasploit framework to launch exploits and write customised Metasploit modules, automate social-engineering attacks, bypass antivirus software and turn access to one machine into total control of the enterprise in the post exploitation phase. The module is delivered as a series of seminars and laboratory sessions using industry standard equipment and toolsets. During lectures, the student will be introduced to the different stages of a penetration test and during laboratory sessions the student will reinforce the learning by solving practical labs and exercises that are related to the lecture. The module will be assessed by a combination of coursework and an examination. The coursework will evaluate the ability of the student to transfer its knowledge into a real-life scenario and to critically evaluate a possible solution. The examination test will evaluate the ability of the student to identify and describe the stages of a penetration state. |
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| Digital Forensic Investigation | 30 | |
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This module covers the four phases of digital forensic investigation including seizure, imaging, analysis and reporting. Technical knowledge and practical skills are developed using industry standard forensic software. Legal and regulatory processes are explored in detailed together with mobile forensic techniques. |
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| Year 3 Optional Modules | ||
|
||
Optional Credits
| Penetration Testing | 15 | |
|
This module introduces the skills required and methodology used to perform penetration testing. Penetration testers simulate cyber-attacks to find security weaknesses in networks, operating systems, and applications. Students will acquire hands-on experience using different tools and techniques for penetration testing by working in our specialised lab equipped with tools such as Kali Linux, Wireshark, WebGoat, Nmap and Burp Suite. In this module, the student will learn how to crack passwords and wireless networks, test web applications for vulnerabilities, use the Metasploit framework to launch exploits and write customised Metasploit modules, automate social-engineering attacks, bypass antivirus software and turn access to one machine into total control of the enterprise in the post exploitation phase. The module is delivered as a series of seminars and laboratory sessions using industry standard equipment and toolsets. During lectures, the student will be introduced to the different stages of a penetration test and during laboratory sessions the student will reinforce the learning by solving practical labs and exercises that are related to the lecture. The module will be assessed by a combination of coursework and an examination. The coursework will evaluate the ability of the student to transfer its knowledge into a real-life scenario and to critically evaluate a possible solution. The examination test will evaluate the ability of the student to identify and describe the stages of a penetration state. |
||
| Digital Forensic Investigation | 30 | |
|
This module covers the four phases of digital forensic investigation including seizure, imaging, analysis and reporting. Technical knowledge and practical skills are developed using industry standard forensic software. Legal and regulatory processes are explored in detailed together with mobile forensic techniques. |
||
| Year 3 Optional Modules | ||
|
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Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing, for full-time students entering the programme in Year 1. Optional modules are listed where applicable. Please note the University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. For further information please refer to the terms and conditions at www.winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions.
The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed above.
Progression from one level of the programme to the next is subject to meeting the University’s academic regulations.
2024 Course Tuition Fees
| UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland |
International |
|
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 2 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Year 3 | £9,250 | £16,700 |
| Total | £27,750 | £50,100 |
| Optional Sandwich Year* | £1,850 | £3,340 |
| Total with Sandwich Year | £29,600 | £53,440 |
If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2024, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.
Remember, you don't have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year. If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.
UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.
International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £122.50 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.
* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year. To find out whether this course offers a sandwich year, please contact the programme leader for further information.
**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.
There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:
Optional
Core texts
Core texts are available from the University Library. However some students prefer to purchase their own copies. Some core texts can be bought second-hand or as an ebook which can often reduce this cost. Indicative cost is £150 for whole course.
Mandatory
Laptop
Students are expected to have their own laptop to use on this course. Indicative cost is £200-£1,000.
Printing and Binding
The University is pleased to offer our students a printing allowance of £5 each academic year. This will print around 125 A4 (black and white) pages. If students wish to print more, printer credit can be topped up by the student. The University and Student Union are champions of sustainability and we ask all our students to consider the environmental impact before printing.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards page.
Key course details
- UCAS code
- I200
- Duration
- 3 years full-time; 4 years full-time (sandwich); 6 years part-time
- Typical offer
- 104-112 points
- Location
- On campus, Winchester
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