Learn to protect and secure modern data infrastructure
The BEng (Hons)/MEng(Hons) Cyber Security includes the development of many industry relevant skills based around the ethical hacking framework.
This is all underpinned by a thorough knowledge of both networking (CCNA) and programming theory.
Graduates of this degree will be equipped to provide network security support in CSE and CSO roles, for companies in many diverse sectors such as healthcare, banking and finance.
Placement Opportunities
Work placement opportunities available through the School of Engineering & Computing allow students to put theory into practice in real-world business environments.
STUDY ABROAD
Broaden your horizons, learn a new language and prepare for the best international opportunities available with study abroad at UWS.
COMPUTING AT UWS
Computing courses at UWS are designed in collaboration with leading companies to produce work-ready graduates with the skills that industry needs.
We work with major industry leaders to give our students work-based learning opportunities to put their knowledge into practice.
Our students graduate ready for career success in this fast-changing, dynamic industry.
of all UWS students in work and/or study 6 months after graduating - HESA performance indicator 2016/17
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do you need?
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
Advanced Entry
Advanced entry is only possible to BEng (Hons) Years 2 and 3 of this course for suitably qualified applicants (see below). There are no advanced entry opportunities on the MEng (Hons) course.
Transferring to the MEng (Hons)
If you are initially registered and enrolled on the BEng (Hons) course, and meet the performance requirements in years 1, 2 and 3 you may be eligible to transfer onto the MEng (Hons) in Year 4.
Year 1
MEng (Hons)
Scottish Highers: ABBB (114 UCAS Tariff points) including Maths & Physics, plus SQA National 5 (Grade C) / Intermediate 2 (Grade C) / Standard Grade (Credit) in English
A levels: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points) including Maths & Physics
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 32 points
BEng (Hons)
Scottish Highers: BBBC (102 UCAS Tariff points) including Maths or Computing or Physics
A levels: CCD (88 UCAS Tariff points) including Maths or Computing or Physics
Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3 H4
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 24 points
SWAP: Access to STEM (BBB)
Year 2
BEng (Hons) only - advanced entry to Year 2 MEng (Hons) is not possible
Scottish Highers: CCD (112 UCAS Tariff points) including Computing or evidence of programming
A levels: BCC Computing (104 UCAS Tariff points) or evidence of programming
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 28 points
SQA HNC / BTEC Level 4 HNC: Networking (with programming modules) or Cyber Security or Computing Science (with networking modules) (for SQA HNCs with Grade A in Graded Unit)
Year 3
BEng (Hons) only - advanced entry to Year 3 MEng (Hons) is not possible
SQA HND / BTEC Level 5 HND: Networking (with programming modules) or Cyber Security or HND Computer Science (with networking modules) (for SQA HNDs with Grade B in Graded Unit)
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for most courses
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
overall score 6.0
no sub-test less than 5.5
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
PTE Pearson Academic English: An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5). An overall score 61 with no element below 51 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0)
IELTS Score Exceptions (DBA, Certificate of Higher Education, PhD, etc.)
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
overall score of 6.5
no sub-test less than 6.0
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
overall score of 7.0
no sub-test less than 7.0
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
overall score of 5.0
no sub-test less than 4.5
TOEFL IBT
TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:
Reading: 17;
Listening: 17;
Speaking: 17;
Writing: 17
* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students. For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE)
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
C6 or above in English
*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.
Pre-sessional courses
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
10 week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
5 week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with score of 4.0 in all elements (10 month course), or 4.5 with no score below 4.0 (7 month course).
Course Details
This course will provide you with the necessary skills to protect and secure modern data infrastructure. This is all underpinned by a thorough knowledge of both networking (CCNA) and programming theory.
Remote surgery, driverless cars and smooth mobile HD streaming could all become a reality thanks to pioneering research taking place at UWS.
UWS computing researchers Jose Alcaraz-Calero and Qi Wang are the technical leads on the SELFNET project, which is developing a ‘self-healing’ mobile network. The new network is 1,000 times faster than 4G, delivering dramatic improvements to quality of user experience, reliability and security – and unlocking a wealth of new online opportunities.
”SELFNET will allow 5G networks to make possible things that would have been considered science fiction just a few years ago.”
DR ALCARAZ-CALERO
As part of this course, you will hear from PhD students who are working on the 5G mobile project, and the course content will be updated to reflect the findings of this work.
Undergraduate Tuition Fees
Scottish campuses lab-based 2019/20
Scottish & EU
£1,820 cost per year of study (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
English, Northern Irish & Welsh
£9,250 Cost per year of study for four years but not more than £27,750
Channel Islands & Isle of Man
£9,250 Cost per year of study for four years but not more than £27,750
Students on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.
For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.
Please contact the course leader for details of the additional costs associated with this course.
Tuition Fees* & Living Cost Support
Tuition Fees & Additional Costs
Tuition fees are calculated based on where you are from and what you are studying. Some courses also involve additional costs, such as mandatory field trips, equipment or studying abroad.
Funding for English, Welsh & Northern Irish Students
English, Welsh and Northern Irish students studying at undergraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.
EU students studying at undergraduate level of UWS may be eligible for SAAS funding, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
There are several scholarship and incentive schemes available to international students studying at undergraduate level at UWS, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.
UWS administer a range of discretionary and childcare funds. These are designed to support students who are experiencing financial difficulty or struggling to meet the costs of childcare.
Becoming a student can have an impact on your entitlement to certain benefits. It may mean you are no longer eligible to claim a benefit you have been receiving, or your new income from student funding may affect the amount you are able to receive.
If there isn’t a statutory source of funding for you or your course, or you are in need of additional financial support, you may wish to consider more alternative sources of funding such as trust funds and scholarships.
Choosing to become a student can have a big impact on your budget and you may need to reassess your spending to account for a reduced income. We’ve put together some guidance to help you manage your money and make the right financial choices for you and your family.
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2020/21 entry is 15 January 2020, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2020, 18:00 (UK time). Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Get in touch
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
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