BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security)
The course
- UCAS code
- G4CS
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
The world relies on digital technology more than ever before. As a result, today the prevention of cyberattacks, data breaches and identity theft are a priority for individuals, businesses and governments alike.
In order to target this growing requirement within industry and society, Heriot-Watt has designed a brand new programme for 2020: BSc Computer Science (Cyber Security). This undergraduate programme will provide students with a sound foundation and applied skills in computer science with focus on cyber security, in addition to other professional skills, enabling them to succeed in meeting the cyber security challenges facing modern organisations today.
In this programme you will learn about the foundations of networks and computer systems, thereby allowing you to understand how communications can be probed and altered, and systems can be forensically analysed. You'll also learn about techniques for secure programming and how real-world networks and systems are protected with fundamental techniques such as access control, encryption and intrusion detection.
In each of the first three years of the programme, students take eight mandatory courses, and in Year 4 they take five mandatory courses and three optional ones.
Global College pathway for this degree
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, have a look at Heriot-Watt Global College, where you can follow an accelerated pathway which will get you onto the second year of this degree.
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
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.
Year 2
Experimental Design, Programming Languages, Software Development 3, Web Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Database Management Systems, Hardware-Software Interface, Software Design.
Year 3
Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Agents, Data Communications and Networking, Foundations 1, Software Engineering, 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
Discover Uni course data
Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.
Employability
Work and study
This is what our BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) students are doing 15 months after graduating:
- 75% are working
- 10% are studying
- 5% are working and studying.
Salary
- The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £27500
- The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £28000
Jobs
These are the most common high skilled jobs students go into 15 months after graduating:
- Information Technology professionals
Entry requirements
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers ABBB (including Mathematics)
- A-Levels BBC – ABB (including Mathematics at B)
- Int. Baccalaureate 28 points (with Mathematics at Higher Level 5)
- BTEC DDM (including sufficient Mathematics)
- HNC B in graded unit (including sufficient Mathematics)
Minimum entry requirements*
- Highers BBBC (including Mathematics at B)
- A-Levels BCC (including Mathematics at B)
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
Year 2 Entry Requirements
- A-Levels ABB (including Mathematics and Computing)
- Int. Baccalaureate 27 points (with Mathematics and Computer Science at Higher Level 6)
- CBSE 85% (Mathematics and Computer Science above 85%)
- Global College Successful completion of Bachelors Degree Accelerator Foundation - Mathematical and Computer Science
Additional information
- 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 good performance, a course transfer to BSc Computer Science for Year 2 onwards can be requested.
- 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
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
- To find out about the difference between the 3 and 4 year honours courses, please watch our video to help you decide which route is best for your qualifications and experience so far.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.
Fees
| Status* | Scotland | England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | International** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £22,264 |
* 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
** '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). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
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)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.