Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

If you are wishing to develop your career as a cyber security professional, or develop new skills sets that may enable you to consider alternative employment roles in IT services, BNU BSc (Hons) Cyber Security degree programme is for you.

This course has been designed to incorporate guidance from the Communications-Electronics Security Group (CESG), a group within the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), as well as the Institute of Information Security Professionals’ (IISP) Information Security Skills framework.

The course reflects current issues and industry requirements, assisting the drive towards improved cyber security provision at a national level.

It will help you improve your technical understanding of cyber security, IT services and risk management, and you will gain an understanding of how this relates to the wider business and customer-facing needs.

During the course you will develop specialist skills in cyber security, risk and information management, underpinned with software and networked systems. You will also learn to use a wide range of cyber security related tools and techniques, alongside technical skills in computer programming, software engineering, cloud and database development.

BNU will give you the fundamental skills and knowledge you’ll need to quickly adopt new emerging technologies and concepts in this fast-changing field. You’ll also leave with professional business skills, techniques and ways of thinking that you’ll need in order to align technical security requirements with business needs.

They'll also help you to build a portfolio of work and seek opportunities to demonstrate your expertise by co-presenting at industry conferences and undertake internships or work experience.

What facilities can you use?

Buckinghamshier New University has invested in the best facilities for your next step into a computing career. The primary delivery of all modules within the course will take place within their specialist computing labs in their Gateway building at their High Wycombe Campus or in BNU specialist Cyber Resilience facility at their Aylesbury Campus. This will also include use of BNU's networking lab for those modules involving any aspect of network or cloud-based development and/or security.

BNU's library is the perfect place to find the resources you need and a quiet place to study, filled with four floors of books, journals, computer suites and study rooms. Or, if you’d rather work off campus, e-Journals and resources are only a few clicks away using their Virtual Learning Environment.

What will you study?

BNU BSc (Hons) Cyber Security programme is designed to reflect sector currency, employer and industry requirements and assist in the drive towards improved cyber security provision at a national level.

On this degree you will gain an understanding of how to protect those organisations, networks, IT systems and individuals against cyber-attacks and cyber threats.

You will study industry level approaches and professional techniques for cyber security, helping to prepare you for a successful career in this field.

How will you be taught and assessed?

You will be taught by a team of expert academics and specialist professionals. Together, they use their collective experience of academia, industry and commerce to give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you’ll need for your career.

The high level of industry experience on BNU's teaching team means they can give you a real flavour of what it’s like to work in a professional environment. They encourage problem-based learning via case studies and classroom exercises throughout the modules. You’ll also benefit from small class sizes that give you a chance to develop close working relationships with other students and tutors.

Course assignments reflect real-life problems because we believe that’s the best way to learn – and it’s more fun!

A variety of assessment methods will be used as appropriate to the module, including assignments carried out in the student’s own time, in-class assignment, workshops and presentations.

The wider Computing Department and our Careers service also offer development opportunities that may involve placements, internships or employment in local companies.

What are your career prospects?

Throughout your time with Buckinghamshier New University they’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. They will help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. BNU also help you find employment after graduation. 

Graduate cyber security specialists focus on understanding risks to the security of information or data. They analyse where security breaches may occur or have occurred, and repair or strengthen systems against such breaches.

There are many opportunities for cyber security professionals, including work within business, government and law enforcement agencies across the globe.

Potential job roles include:

• Security Analyst
• Security Engineer or Architect
• Security or IT Director or Manager
• Systems Administrator
• Forensics Investigator or Auditor.

It is important to note that some roles may also require you to be security cleared.

You could also choose to be self-employed, setting up an independent information or cyber security company, or consultancy business. It is possible to embark on self-employment as a new graduate, however many graduates gain experience by working for an employer in the sector to embed and develop your knowledge and skills first.

On successful completion of the course, you will have gained the knowledge and skills needed to sit some leading industry exams and certifications. You may wish to continue on to industry-related qualifications such as Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or CompTIA Security+.

You may also choose to stay on at Buckinghamshire New University and study one of our postgraduate programmes, such as our MSc Cyber Security.