Key information
Find out more about our 3 year honours degree option.
- UCAS code
- G4CS
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- BSc (Hons)
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 3-4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Our BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) establishes a robust foundation, imparting practical skills in computer science with a distinct focus on cyber security. It equips you not only with technical proficiency but also with essential professional skills necessary to tackle the contemporary challenges in cyber security faced by organisations and society.
This programme delves into the core concepts of networks and computer systems, enabling an understanding of how communications can be probed and manipulated while also teaching forensic analysis of systems. You will explore secure programming techniques and the essential methods for safeguarding real-world networks and systems, including access control, encryption, and intrusion detection.
The escalating reliance on digital technology has made fortifying against cyber threats, such as attacks, data breaches, and identity theft, more crucial than ever. This urgency is a shared priority among individuals, businesses, and governments today, making you more attractive to employers and companies in a competitive job market.
Reasons to study this programme:
- Global Perspective: Opportunity to study at our Dubai campus, or at our partnering university - Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) - in Germany through the Go Global programme.
- Student equipment fund: Supporting students in purchasing technology (either in hardware, data or software) to explore the usage of and code development for new platforms, as part of a taught course or as a personal project.
- Comprehensive, customisable curriculum: Provides opportunity to specialise in several areas through optional courses, including 3D graphics and animation, big data management, e-commerce technology, computer games programming and more.
- World-class facilities: Gain access to the National Robotarium which fosters the teaching and development of the next generation of roboticists, producing highly-skilled graduates who are trained to conduct world-leading research with a market focus.
- Professional accreditation: Accredited by The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council, as well as the British Computer Society (BCS) on behalf of the Science Council.
Your student experience
The BSc Computer Science (Cyber Security) is accredited by British Computer Society (BCS), The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council, fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a chartered engineer.
It is also accredited by BCS on behalf of the Science Council for the academic requirement for registration as a chartered scientist.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Logic and Proof, Introduction to Interaction Design, Praxis, Software Development 1, Discrete Mathematics, Introduction to Computer Systems, Software Development 2, Web Design and Databases.
Mandatory September
- Logic and Proof
- Introduction to Interaction Design
- Praxis
- Software Development 1
Mandatory January
- Discrete Mathematics
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Software Development 2
- Web Design and Databases
Year 2
Experimental Design, Programming Languages, Software Development 3, Web Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Database Management Systems, Hardware-Software Interface, Software Design.
Mandatory September
- User-Centred Experimental Design
- Programming Languages
- Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms
- Web Programming
Mandatory January
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Database Management Systems
- Hardware-Software Interface
- Introduction to Software Engineering
Year 3
Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Agents, Data Communications and Networking, Foundations 1, Software Engineering, Foundations 2, Language Processors, Operating Systems & Concurrency, Professional Development.
Mandatory September
- Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
- Data Communications and Networking
- Foundations 1
- Software Engineering
Mandatory January
- Foundations 2
- Language Processors
- Operating Systems & Concurrency
- Professional Development
Year 4
Computer Network Security, Res Meths & Requirements Eng, Advanced Network Security, Design Implementation (Cyber Security), Proj Test Impl (CyberSecurity)
Optional Courses in Year 4:
Biologically Inspired Comp, Computing in the Classroom, 3D Graphics and Animation, Information Sys Methodologies, Intelligent Robotics, Rigorous Methods for Soft Eng, Stat Model & Anal, Industrial Programming, Advanced Interaction Design, Big Data Management, Con Agents & Spoken Lang Proc, Digital and Knowledge Economy, Distributed & Parallel Tech, Data Visualisation Analytics, e-commerce Technology, Computer Games Programming
Mandatory September
- Computer Network Security
- Research Methods & Requirements Engineering
Optional September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Computer Graphics
- Information Systems Methodologies
- Intelligent Robotics
- Computer-aided Verification
- Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
- Statistical Modelling and Analysis
Mandatory January
- Digital Forensics
- Advanced Network Security
- Design & Implementation
- Project Testing and Presentation
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
The Heriot-Watt experience
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,790 |
| International | £25,808 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers ABBB (over two sittings). Must include Maths achieved at B.
- A-Levels BBC. Must include Maths achieved at B.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Maths achieved at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths.
- HNC B in graded unit. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
- HND BB in graded units. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Maths achieved at B.
- A-Levels BCC. Must include Maths achieved at B.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Maths achieved at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths.
- HNC B in graded unit. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
- HND BB in graded units. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
*Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- or are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.
Year 2
- Advanced Highers BBB including Maths and Computer Science, plus Higher ABBB.
- A-Levels BBB to include Maths and either Computer Science or Software Systems Development.
- International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Maths and Computer Science at Higher Level 6.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be in relevant subject, including sufficient Maths and Computing.
- HNC A in graded unit. HNC must include Maths and Computing at SCQF Level 6 , and include Java.
- HND AB / BA. Must include Maths and Computing at SCQF Level 6, and include Java.
- Global College: Successful completion of our Technology with Foundation
Year 3
Entry to Year 3 is only available via our associate student partnership college route.
Additional information
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- For applicants studying HNC, HND or BTEC qualifications, when submitting your application please ensure you list in full all the units you are currently studying, as specific units (e.g. in Maths) may be required.
- Not studying mathematics or worried about meeting the mathematics requirement? Consider applying for BSc Computer Systems. In Year 1 of this degree it is possible to take two optional mathematics courses. Then, subject to a good performance, a course transfer to BSc Computer Science for Year 2 onwards can be requested.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Employability
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Information Technology professionals
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