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BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security and Networks)
Key information
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Typical offer:
Entry requirements -
Fees: See below
Full details -
UCAS code: G491
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Institute code: H36
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Study abroad option
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Work placement option
Find out more
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Entry requirements
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
UCAS points A Level BTEC Access Course Tariff IB requirement 120-128 BBB-ABB
DDM Overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3 120-128 points from a minimum of two HL subjects at grade 4 or above Additional requirements
GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.
Find out more about International Entry Requirements.
UCAS points A Level BTEC Access Course Tariff IB requirement 120-128 BBB-ABB
DDM Overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3 120-128 points from a minimum of two HL subjects at grade 4 or above Additional requirements
GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.
Find out more about International Entry Requirements.
- Choose this course with an emphasis on networking and security building on a base of mainstream computer science, or change to one of the others in our flexible programme.
- Be taught by highly qualified staff, most with a PhD or other advanced degree plus research, teaching, or professional experience.
- Be part of a highly regarded well established computer science department with excellent facilities, a strong research background, and links to business and industry.
- Prepare yourself for a career in the IT sector through a mix of academic, professional and practical study, with opportunities for industry certifications and a paid placement year. Previous students have worked placements at companies including GSK, Xerox, and BT.
- Recent graduates have gone on to work at amazing organisations including Siemens, EE, and Lloyds Bank.
- Computer Science saw 90% of its research ranked as world-leading. (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).
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Level 4
Module Credits Compulsory/optional Introduction to Programming and Discrete Structures 30 Credits Compulsory This module will enable students to think programmatically about problems that are solved on a computer and help them develop problem-solving skills. There are two strands to the module. • The programming strand focuses largely on the practicalities of programming. A programming language, Python 3, will be introduced, paying much attention to the fundamental elements of programming: algorithmic and functional decomposition, writing assignments, conditionals, loops and functions, and techniques for testing and debugging. This will be illustrated with a progression of examples to help students develop good comprehension of code and the coding process. • The discrete structures strand focuses on understanding and reasoning about mathematical and logical structures that are of relevance to programmers. It will introduce students to a coherent set of concepts from discrete mathematics and logic, including sets, relations, functions, propositions, predicates, and automata, and will illustrate how they may be applied in the modelling and solving of computational problems. From Silicon To C 30 Credits Compulsory This module focuses on the principles and practicalities of the multilevel organisation of computer systems. Students will have opportunities to investigate and build computational structures in hardware, and to program with machine instructions and a simplified dialect of the C programming language and see how they support one another. The abstractions available at higher levels (programming languages) will be de-mystified by progressively bringing them down to lower levels all the way to the silicon structures that serve as the foundation of any computer system. This will help students to learn high-level programming (when they do) in an informed and efficient way by creating cost intuitions that cannot be developed while keeping solely to abstract constructs such programming normally deals with. Students will be offered a significant number of development exercises ranging from very basic to challenging and will be helped. Independent learning by practicing is key to this. Data Modelling for Databases 15 Credits Compulsory This module introduces the concept of the relational model of database systems introduced by Codd [1]. It will focus on the principles of data modelling, from conceptual modelling through to physical, it will introduce techniques and tools to possibly include but not be limited to Requirements Gathering, Whiteboarding, Entity-Relationship Modelling, Normalisation, Relational Algebra, Physical Design and Querying via SQL. The module also introduces some of the basic operational requirements of a modern enterprise RDBMS with topics supporting the students understanding of the physical design of the database, hence subjects such as Query Optimisation and Transaction Processing will be introduced. Computational Problem Solving 30 Credits Compulsory This module builds on concepts and practices taught in 4ECS2026 Introduction to Programming and Discrete Structures, continuing both strands but bringing them closer together. It makes use of discrete mathematics and logic both as sources of example problems and as tools for describing and reasoning about programs. • In the programming strand the emphasis is on designing and implementing solutions to well-specified problems. Students will be given guidance on problem representation and choice of data structure, and expected to choose / write appropriate algorithms for themselves, and to implement them in Python. • In the discrete structures strand the emphasis is on understanding how mathematical and logical structures and reasoning may be used in the service of programmatic problem-solving. This strand will also serve as a source of example problems for students to solve. Team Software Project 15 Credits Compulsory This module is designed to develop a range of employability skills using a guided project, undertaken as a team, as the vehicle. Each student will work on the project within their team. Project specifications will be provided that ensure the students have an opportunity to develop project and time management, professional, team communication and reporting, risk, presentation, and self-evaluation skills. The projects are to be based on typical commercial/industrial scenarios and incorporate the concepts of specification, design, implementation, and testing. Where possible, the guided projects will be constructed with reference to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. -
Level 5
Module Credits Compulsory/optional Algorithms and Data Structures 15 Credits Compulsory This module focuses on the pre-coding stage of the programming process, studying and developing algorithms and data structures appropriate for a range of different types of problem. The module emphasises throughout the role of problems as an essential driver in the programming process and the design of algorithms and data structures in particular. Operating Systems and Networks 15 Credits Compulsory This module covers both theory and significant practical content in the design, installation and configuration of operating systems and network services. The module helps to develop problem-solving skills in working with operating systems and networks, and builds confidence in using command line tools and configuration files in other areas of computer science and information technology. Accessibility and Usability 15 Credits Compulsory This module is concerned with the accessibility and usability of computing applications. It presents these core concepts in the broader context of legal, social, ethical and professional issues in computing and grounds them on practical work. Concepts and theories on these themes will be presented and supported by examples to demonstrate how they occur in practical scenarios. Students will be encouraged to identify existing problems, evaluate potential solutions, and communicate these in computing contexts. Artificial Intelligence 15 Credits Compulsory This module will give a first introduction to the aims, scope, paradigms, notions, methods and algorithms of Artificial Intelligence (Al), enabling students to program basic Al algorithms and systems. Indicative topics include: • Logic-based reasoning and representation extending to knowledge-based systems and probabilistic reasoning. • Programming for Al: recursion and recursive problem specification. • Basic representation- and search-based problem-solving techniques • Introduction to systems that plan and act logically: making plans to achieve goals; making simple decisions • Introduction to Al systems that make decisions in interaction with the world: simple Embodied Al systems that make decisions based on limited sensorimotor information. • Bio-inspired computing methods and algorithms. Computing Things 15 Credits Compulsory The presentation will focus on the macro architecture of an IoT device, processing of digital and analogue signals on GPIO pins, use of standard interfaces, such as UART, SPI, I2C with interrupts and processor sleep modes. Several sensors will be studied to demonstrate the data gathering facilities available. One inexpensive and well-supported IoT platform will be chosen by the module leader as a running example for the content delivery. This can be ESP32 or Arduino or any similar evaluation module available at a small cost (the price of a good textbook), and which can be interfaced with a PC via a USB port. All teaching will be accompanied by exercises on the chosen platform. Database Systems 15 Credits Compulsory This module assumes an understanding of fundamental relational database design, implementation, and use. It will introduce other database paradigms including, but not limited to Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing, "Schema-free"/NoSQL databases and Graph Databases. Teaching will be directed at both the practical design, implementation and use of these systems as well as understanding the key advantages of each, providing an ability to compare and critique their appropriateness in a range of scenarios. In using these systems, the module will consider the limitation and appropriateness of query languages and the interaction between query languages and programming languages. The module will also provide insights into the key functional requirements of various database management systems covering topics such as Data Consistency, Transaction Management, Query Optimisation, Security and Scalability/Distribution. This module will involve a large practical component, with a range of tools and case studies being utilised to develop practical skills and theoretical understanding. Principles and Practices of Large-Scale Programming 30 Credits Compulsory This module provides the knowledge and skills needed for developing a large scale software system using object-oriented tools and techniques, and an appreciation of the professional issues involved in such development, including working in teams. Although correctness is the sine qua non of software development, good program design which provides for maintainability and re-use will be important elements of assessments. Desirable design principles which foster good design will be woven into the narrative of this module in order to emphasise: • modularisation • abstraction • reduced code duplication • high cohesion • low coupling Object-oriented design guidelines such as the following will be used in early examples and exercises, and then made explicit at a later stage: • Law of Demeter • Program to an interface not an implementation • MVC • Re-factoring • Design patterns - a selection -
Level 6
Module Credits Compulsory/optional Cyber Security 15 Credits Compulsory This module introduces the concepts and principles of cyber security including its theoretical and practical aspects. It covers the relevant mathematical techniques associated with cryptographic algorithms and applications such as user authentication and authentication protocols. This module focuses on how security services that are provided by underlying network infrastructure can be used to develop various secure systems. These systems are used to protect information communication, computer networks and cloud resources from unauthorised access and malicious activities. In this module, various examples of secure systems such as secure email, secure web and secure protocols will be presented. Security violations and threats such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), identity theft, information leaks, network eavesdropping, email spams are major issues in cyber security. Issues related to forensics, wireless security and cloud security are also discussed in this module. Network Protocols and Architectures 15 Credits Compulsory Computer networking is an area under constant development. An understanding of current network protocols is required in order to design, simulate and implement computer networks. Knowledge of current network technologies, protocols and architectures is necessary in a network environment This module explores the aforementioned aspects of computer networking in some depth. Furthermore, one or more small-scale projects are employed to explore and apply these networking concepts. Incident Response Digital Forensics 15 Credits Compulsory It is accepted that computer criminals supported by nation-states and organised crime organisations have been successful in achieving their objectives. The complexity of the landscape, the internal organisational friction that adds to the concept of the fog of war and inevitable resistance to change are just some of the attributes that computer criminals are using as part of their arsenal. A breach is not a matter of 'if' but a matter of 'when'. The module will prepare students to not only identify, assess, contain and rectify security incidents but to also act proactively in defending an information environment. The module is based on a case study. Your Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) was contacted by a Government agency with intelligence that your organisation is going to be the likely target of an identified Advanced Persistent Threat (APT). Initial internal assessments have indicated that your organisation has already been breached. Your activities will be to classify the breach, assess the impact and prepare a report for your CISO. Responsible Computing 15 Credits Compulsory This module is concerned with legal, social, ethical and professional issues that may affect the work of professionals in the computing and technology sectors. The module is designed to enable students to make informed judgements in computing practice based on legal, social and ethical principles. Software Architecture 15 Credits Compulsory This module explores software architecture by examining architectural design patterns. Using a conceptual definition as an anchor, the module examines different approaches to solving design problems, with practical examples and implementation exercises. This module is based on a set of practical examples and exercises that show how to apply architectural patterns to design software systems. Cyber Security and Networks Project 30 Credits Compulsory This module is based around the identification and undertaking of an individual project. Project definitions will be provided covering a range of Cyber Security and Networks based topics areas of interest. The student is guided in their choice of project, based on their proven skills and interests. Each project is designed to support the student to develop deep and detailed learning in a subject are based in Cyber Security and/or Computer Networks. The project definition will also enable further development of skills for future employability in industry, including: • Problem analysis and solution development • Time management and planning • Communication • Report writing • Assessment of risk Professional Work Placement in Computer Science 0 Credits Optional Supervised work experience provides students with the opportunity to set their academic studies in a broader context, to gain practical experience in specific technical areas and to strengthen their communication and time-management skills. It greatly assists them in developing as independent learners, so that they will be able to gain maximum benefit from the learning opportunities afforded by their future study programme. It gives them opportunities, according to the nature of the placement experience, to acquire the basis of technical expertise in specialist areas, which they may be able to enhance through study after completion of the placement, especially in the final project. Machine Learning and Neural Computing 15 Credits Optional This module uses contemporary machine learning and neural network techniques to aid in the understanding and analysis of real world data and neural systems. Topics include supervised and unsupervised learning, data visualisation, and error-correction-based learning. Advanced Database Topics 15 Credits Optional This module builds upon knowledge and skills acquired in the context of relational databases studied at Level 5. Issues of complexity in databases arise when the scale of the database increases and the focus here is on firstly the design and implementation in a large multi-user database and secondly, selected current and emerging topics in databases. This module provides an in-depth study of the design and implementation of relational databases using a top-down approach. There is a large practical element using a popular market leading product in the roles of database designer, database administrator and end user. The module also raises awareness of areas where new types of database are emerging and provides practical experience in these areas. Information Security Management 15 Credits Optional This module develops the concepts and principles of information security management including its organisational aspects such as security governance, policy procedures and security standards. It covers the relevant methods associated with risk assessment and management. In this module, various issues associated with information assurance, incident management and government legislation on data protection will be presented. This module introduces security controls that are used to protect information and underlying IT systems and infrastructure. Disaster recovery, business continuity management, investigation and digital forensics which are important aspects of information security management will be discussed in this module. Year Abroad 0 Credits Optional Learning and teaching methods may include taught courses, a research programme, or a mixture of these. components. The Year Abroad will be for TWO academic semesters or their equivalent. The student will follow a programme negotiated by the Study Abroad team or nominee, School Study Abroad Tutor and an equivalent representative of the host institution. Prior to the commencement of the Year Abroad, the student, the appropriate officers from UH and from the host institution will agree a learning contract and mode of attendance. In institutions where the language of instruction is not English, then the learning contract will take into account the students ability in the language of instruction of the host institution. The student will be required to provide evidence of appropriate attainment and ability in the language of instruction of the chosen institution when the language of instruction is not English. Study Abroad 0 Credits Optional Learning and teaching methods may include taught courses, a research programme, or a mixture of these components. The Study Abroad duration will be for ONE academic semester or its equivalent. The student will follow a programme negotiated by the Study Abroad team or nominee, School Study Abroad Tutor and an equivalent representative of the host institution. Prior to the commencement of the Study Abroad period, the student, the appropriate officers from UH and from the host institution will agree a learning contract and mode of attendance. In institutions where the language of instruction is not English, then the learning contract will take into account the students ability in the language of instruction of the host institution. The student will be required to provide evidence of appropriate attainment and ability in the language of instruction of the chosen institution when the language of instruction is not English. Robotics 15 Credits Optional This module will provide an in-depth introduction to Intelligent Adaptive Systems (IAS) and the AI notions, methods, techniques, and algorithms underlying the design and implementation of a variety of artificial IAS. IAS can be defined as systems that adapt (change, improve) autonomously their sensorimotor, morphological, functional and/or cognitive capabilities as they interact with their environments to face in advantageous ways the dynamic changes and challenges that those environments pose. -
Study abroad
An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.
This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.
If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.
Find out more about Study abroad opportunities
Please note Erasmus+ funding is only available until May 2023. For students starting their course in September 2022 and wishing to study abroad in 2023-24 or 2024-25, please refer to the Turing Scheme.
Please note Erasmus+ funding is only available until May 2023. For students starting their course in September 2022 and wishing to study abroad in 2023-24 or 2024-25, please refer to the Turing Scheme.
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Work placement
Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.
This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.
Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process. Recent placement students have worked at large organisations such as:
- Apple
- BT
- IBM
- Intel
- GSK
- Microsoft, and
- Xerox.
- Others have worked for smaller organisations, perhaps family-run or near home.
If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.
Why choose this course?
What's the course about?
Computer networking is an essential part of modern life: from the networked applications that run on smartphones and the internet, to the secure systems demanded by global business.
This course adds a specialism in networking to a broad base in technology and software development. In the first two years you’ll find an emphasis on software development, professional programming, the modelling of systems and data and the issues that arise in a networked environment.
From this foundation you’ll learn about protocols, network design, constructing distributed applications and defending against cyber attacks. The course will enable you to create and evaluate systems and applications within a networked environment.
Your main campus is College Lane
This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.
New School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building opening in 2024
Learn in our brand-new building, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones.
The computer science labs are home to telecommunications, robotics and UX empathy labs, with a variety of research spaces that range from dark rooms to clean rooms, and sample prep labs to calibration and assembly labs.
You will also benefit from a Success and Skills Support Unit, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.
The new building will also provide space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.
What will I study?
Computer Science is both an academic and a practical subject so you will be taught in different ways such as lectures, smaller group tutorials, supervised practicals (labs) and self-study including experiential learning. Assessment is by a mix of in-class tests, exams, and coursework.
The School has well equipped laboratory facilities, with PCs running Windows 11 and/or Linux and a whole range of industry-standard and educational software from Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, and others. There are specialist labs for networking, multimedia, devices, robotics, and projects.
In addition to scheduled classes, about 16 hours per week in Year 1, you will be expected to spend the same amount of time in self-study taking advantage of the University's extensive and up-to-date facilities. These include the Learning Resource Centres (LRCs), open 24x7, with computer workstations and wifi access, Studynet - our versatile online study environment accessible on and off campus - and open access to our labs.
Most of our students own their own PC or Mac, but this is not essential since you can use the university facilities instead or as well.
What you will learn
You will learn about different aspects of networking: protocols, network design, the tools and services for constructing distributed applications, and network security – how to defend against cyber attack. In your first two years you will concentrate on building a broad integrated foundation, with your specialism in Networking building on this foundation.
First Year
You will learn the foundations of the subject including topics such as an overview of the field, programming, modelling, and computing platforms.
Second Year
You will deepen your understanding and develop more advanced skills. There are technical modules on software development, programming, databases, operating systems and networks, plus two options.
Third Year
You have the option of taking a one-year paid work placement, or you can study abroad at one of our partner universities worldwide.
Final Year
You will study computer security and project planning, specialist modules in network protocols & architecture and cyber security, plus two options. Finally you will undertake an individual project in your chosen specialism, typically an extensive piece of practical work.
Check out our student blogs
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What's next for my career?
Graduate employment opportunities are excellent, and there are careers across many employment sectors, including the IT industry, business, education and government. Our graduates have become software developers, programmers, web developers, business analysts, database administrators, project managers and IT consultants, or have studied for postgraduate degrees at the University of Hertfordshire or other universities. Recent employers have included Blackberry, GSK, HP, IBM, John Lewis, and T-Mobile.
This course equips you for a range of specialist roles, such as network designer, manager or administrator, operations administrator, developer of distributed systems and cybersecurity consultant. Graduates have recently found careers with the likes of Blackberry, GSK, HP, IBM and John Lewis. Others have gone on to successful postgraduate study.
Our graduates have become software developers, programmers, web developers, business analysts, database administrators, project managers and IT consultants, or have studied for postgraduate degrees at the University of Hertfordshire or other universities. Recent employers have included Blackberry, GSK, HP, IBM, John Lewis, and T-Mobile.
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Further information - includes assessment method
Course fact sheets BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security and Networks) Download Programme specifications BSc Honours in Computer Science and Information Technology Download Additional information Sandwich placement or study abroad year
Optional
Applications open to international and EU students
No Course length
- Full Time, 3 Years
- Sandwich, 4 Years
Location
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
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How to apply?
International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK
Apply through our international/EU application portal
Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
Apply using the links below:
2024
Start Date End Date Link 18/09/2024 31/05/2025 Apply online (Full Time) 25/09/2024 31/05/2025 Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich) 19/09/2024 31/05/2025 Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich) 2025
Start Date End Date Link 18/09/2025 31/05/2026 Apply online (Full Time) 25/09/2025 31/05/2026 Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich) 19/09/2025 31/05/2026 Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich) -
Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £9250 for the 2024/2025 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.
View detailed information about tuition fees
Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
Other financial support
Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students
Living costs / accommodation
The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.