Course Summary: April 1, 2024

Computer Science (Cyber Security) BSc

Honours

UCAS code: I195

Full time
3 years

This degree provides a firm foundation in the important field of cyber security.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25

Next start date:

September 2024

Fees (per year)

Home: £9250
International: £26400

Entry requirements and offers

A-Level: AAB
IB: 34 points

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View contextual offers

UCAS Institution name and code:

NEWC / N21

Course overview
You study a broad curriculum in your first two years, developing knowledge in
different aspects of computing science, and gaining skills in problem solving,
program design and implementation.

In your third year, you move onto specialist topics in cyber security, developing
skills and knowledge for your future career.

Your modules focus on the design and development of dependable software

systems, and include:

cryptographies
software verification technology

Cyber Security

Graduates of our degrees in Cyber Security will have particular knowledge and
skills related to the development of dependable software systems.

Armed with the knowledge of issues such as security mechanisms for

computing, software verification techniques and tools, cryptography, and
cryptographic protocols, you will be well placed for employment in technical
positions in software houses and with companies designing and deploying
dependable software in safety-critical industry sectors.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the
programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to

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make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your
Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives
details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or
University services.

Additional information

Flexible degree structure

At Newcastle, all Computer Science students study the same modules for the
first two years, before specialising in the later years. This gives you time to
explore the subject and decide which area you want to specialise in. It means
you can also transfer between our degrees up to the end of Stage 2.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year,
and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically

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to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies
and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability

Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the

Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year.
This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You'll learn the fundamentals of computer science, with an emphasis on

developing your skills in program design and implementation. You'll gain
experience in Java programming and develop a broad view of hardware and
software architectures.

You'll develop an appreciation of what it is to be a professional working in the IT

industry and develop your problem-solving skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits

Fundamentals of Computing 20
Computer Systems Design and
20
Architectures
Foundations of Data Science 20
Programming Portfolio 1 30
Programming Portfolio 2 30

You'll study modules in software engineering, algorithm design and the

fundamental principles that govern the operation of the internet.

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We'll introduce you to requirements analysis and databases, and the formal
specification of software systems.

You'll also work in a team to engineer a substantial software product, developing

practical teamworking skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits

Security and Programming Paradigms 20
Algorithm Design and Analysis 10
Software Engineering Team Project 30
Introducing Contemporary Topics in
30
Computing
Software Systems Design and
30
Implementation

You'll study specialist topics in system and network security, software

verification technology, cryptographies, and reliability and fault tolerance.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits

Major Project and Dissertation in
60
Computer Science
Cryptography 10
System and Network Security 20
Optional Modules Credits
Distributed Systems 10
Graphics for Games 10
Gaming Technologies and Simulations 20
Science of Computing 20

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Introduction to BioDesign and Natural
20
Computing
Biomedical Data Analytics and AI 20
Fault Tolerant and Cyber-Physical
20
Systems
Human Computer Interaction:
20
Interaction Design
Predictive Analytics, Computer Vision &
20
AI
Data Visualization and Visual Analytics 10
Career Development for final year
20
students
Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available
to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

Teaching time is made up of:

scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities

with a member of staff present.
structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to
support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students
undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include:

lectures – including guest lectures by visiting IT professionals

tutorials – from our expert staff
supervised practical work – which accounts for a significant amount of your
time

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 project work – to help you develop real-world business skills such as
teamworking and project management

Project work includes a team project in Stage 2 to develop a substantial software

product and a major individual project in Stage 3.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

Coursework
Dissertation or research project
Examinations – practical or online
Group work
Practical sessions
Presentations
Projects

Skills and experience

Business skills

In addition to your academic work, employers look for evidence of skills and
experience. Our degrees have been created with industry need in mind. In Stage
2, you will gain a realistic preview into industry life, being taught in a team
environment with real-life industry briefs. You will pick a problem – identified by
industry – and develop a project to find a solution. The projects are marked by
industry representatives, lecturers and the project sponsor.

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in
your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in

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the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure
your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning
into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year.
Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. Placements
are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You will be part of the School of Computing, based in the Urban Sciences
Building on our Newcastle Helix area of campus.

Our brand new £58m building offers great facilities for our students, including:

cyber-physical systems laboratory

decision theatre for data visualisation
flat floor teaching facilities
315 PCs with a Raspberry Pi3 on every desk

The building and its surrounding area is becoming a living laboratory,

underpinning research to make urban centres more sustainable for future
generations. Research at Newcastle Helix focusses on:

cyber-physical systems
infrastructure
smart grids
future of our city
big data

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Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor

throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can
help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Employability at Newcastle

97% of our Computer Science graduates are in graduate-level jobs or in further

study within fifteen months of graduation*.

*Guardian University league tables 2021

Preparing you for career success

In the present job market, computing science graduates are better placed than
many others to obtain employment in a challenging and fulfilling career, and the
employability of Newcastle graduates is particularly high.

An increasing number of employers require digital skills, meaning our graduates

are highly sought after. They move into bespoke software development roles in
software houses and computer manufacturers and also into corporate
organisations that use computers on a larger scale, such as banking, insurance
and manufacturing companies and public sector institutions.

As a graduate of Computer Science (Cyber Security) you’ll be well placed for

employment in technical positions in software houses and with companies
designing and deploying dependable software in safety-critical industry sectors.

Benefit from strong industry links

You'll also benefit from our well-established links with organisations within the
industry. Our placement students and graduates are regularly recruited by

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companies such as:

Nissan
Waterstons
Accenture
IBM
P&G
Deloitte
Microsoft
Sage
DWP
GCHQ

Local businesses often approach the School to advertise small, part-time or

voluntary work opportunities, giving you the chance to gain valuable work
experience.

Careers support

Our degree programmes have been developed to ensure that you are gaining
the transferable skills that employers like to see alongside your academic study.
You will benefit from guest lectures from industry professionals, mock
interviews and professional skills workshops.

The school annually hosts a week of intensive employability events. These have
included:

hackathon workshops
placement discussions
coding and enterprise challenges
employer talks
networking events

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country,
and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of
opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

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Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are
recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

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Find out more...

Go online for information about our full range of degrees:

www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate
To watch videos about student life in Newcastle, visit
www.ncl.ac.uk/lovenewcastle
Visit www.ncl.ac.uk/tour to take virtual tours of the campus and city
Book for an Open Day to come and see us in person
www.ncl.ac.uk/openday
Contact us online at www.ncl.ac.uk/enquiries or phone +44 (0)191 208
3333

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creation (see the first page for creation date). If you are on screen you are able
to use the live links that are highlighted in blue. If reading in print, the URLs
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University's terms and conditions, including reference to all relevant policies,
procedures, regulations and information provision, are available at:
www.ncl.ac.uk/pre-arrival/regulations

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The University of Newcastle upon Tyne trading as Newcastle University.

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