Cyber Security

Bath Spa University’s Cyber Security degree approaches cyber security from a holistic point of view – helping you to understand cybersecurity from multiple perspectives. By highlighting key principles such as ‘defence in depth’ and by drawing on national level cyber frameworks and guidelines, we introduce you to a complete picture of the intentions, motivations and scope of the cyber security sector.

Across the course, you’ll develop knowledge and practical skills that support the protection of systems, networks and data on a variety of levels (such as individual, business, critical national infrastructure) – all supported by a sound understanding of computing principles.

You'll explore planning methods and tools, learn cybersecurity policies and law, investigate strategies of defence and offence, and gain an appreciation for human behaviours and needs.

Year one
Develop core skills in programming and learn about key topics in cyber security. You’ll gain knowledge of the computer industry to better understand the sector; for example, you’ll explore programming and web development so that you can better defend digital platforms.

You’ll learn cyber security fundamentals, with modules covering topics such as intrusion detection and prevention. You’ll use cybercrime analysis tools and techniques as part of an exploration of Computer Forensics.

Year two
Your second academic year begins with a focus on software, as you extend your practical understanding of programming and investigate ways to enhance the resilience of computing tools. An optional software project management module provides a wide skillsbase for a range of careers in tech. Following this, you shift attention to the analysis and mitigation of cyber threats, where you’ll learn how to detect and react decisively to intrusions.

You’ll learn ethical hacking techniques: such as how to use penetration testing to probe for vulnerabilities so that you can make systems more secure and resilient.

Year three
In your final year you’ll explore the wider context of cyber security. First, you’ll take an in-depth look at cyber law, cybercrime and the judicial system, before interrogating methods of protecting national-level critical services such as water, transport and power.

Modules in cyber offence and defence cover the techniques and policies needed to defend business IT systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks.

You’ll be assessed through a combination of reports, presentations and set exercises. Tabletop exercises, technical challenges and other practical tasks allow you to demonstrate your understanding of cyber security from a real-world perspective.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars and discussion forums, alongside a wide range of practical activities such as scenario simulations and technical tasks.

Our teaching methods are designed to enable you to graduate with critical knowledge of cybersecurity, the analytical mindset you’ll need to thrive in the industry, and an awareness of the sector, so that you can hit the ground running in your first cyber security role.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

The range of potential careers in cyber security is huge and ever-growing; from a cyber crimes analyst with the police to roles in government, or responsibility for business cyber security solutions in the public and private sector. Roles include, amongst others:

• Penetration tester
• Cyber security engineer
• Cyber security consultant
• Systems administrator
• Cyber threat intelligence analyst
• Cyber security forensics analyst.

As a graduate of this Cyber Security course, you’ll have gained the broad range of skills needed to progress in many directions including further postgraduate study in Cyber Security.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

As a BSc Cyber Security student, you'll have access to our:

• Knowledgeable staff and industry speakers
• Commons building
• High-spec computing labs
• Virtual Learning Environment
• Extensive libraries
• Software, creative, design and business skills courses via LinkedIn Learning
• Writing and Learning Centre
• English Language Unit.

You can also hire out equipment using SISO, Bath Spa University’s free equipment loan service.