Why choose the School of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries
This course is fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), meaning you qualify for chartered IT professional (CITP) status once you graduate.
Our new, immersive Security Operations Centre, developed with partners Switchshop, provides state-of-the-art, hands-on experience in cybersecurity.
This course scored student satisfaction rates of 90% or over in 23 out of the 27 questions in the NSS 2025 including teaching staff explaining things; making learning engaging and simulating; and developing knowledge and skills for the future.
About the course
This degree aims to provide you with a deep, practical understanding of the latest security technologies, applications, and issues, ensuring you know how to put in place strong Information security and management that can cope with the vast and ever-evolving proliferation of malware and targeted cyber-attacks. The course is uniquely designed to blend a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art domains around information and network security; it will equip you with the academic and industry skills to excel in your career.
Course accreditation
This course is fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT, meaning you qualify for chartered IT professional (CITP) status once you graduate.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Modern, purpose-built STEM building with industry-relevant laboratories and equipment
- High-tech Cisco Networking Academy computer networking
- Specialised cybersecurity laboratory
- New immersive Security Operations Centre
- Cutting-edge technology such as MATLAB simulation software and virtualised environments so you become familiar with the technology used in industry
- Use of Hak5 hardware for pentesting activities
Industry links
We have long-established collaborations with top providers in the industry such as Cisco, CompTIA, EC-Council and the CWNA. We also have an active partnership with computer networking and cybersecurity specialists, Switchshop.
Your student experience
Cybersecurity learning is supported through industry-professional certification programmes such as Cisco CCNA and CyberOps Associate, to name a few.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CyberOps Associate and CompTIA CySA+ programmes prepare you for industry examinations to gain networking and cybersecurity certifications.
Put your skills into practice through work-based projects, learning from experts at organisations such as Bedfordshire Police, the NHS, London Luton Airport and our partners, Switchshop.
Take part in a mixture of hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations from academics and guest industry speakers. Examples of guest speakers include Mark Wilson, Technical Director of Vertali, on IBM Mainframe security; Alex Mortimer, Manager of Academic Partnerships at ISC2; and Cristian Coraci, IT Consultant, on data hiding, digital forensics and mainframe forensics.
Benefit from being supported by our dedicated academic success tutors.
Extend your learning through field trips to renowned sites such as Bletchley Park and Cisco UK.
In 2024, our cybersecurity students showcased their skills by emerging among the top three teams in the UK in Cisco’s prestigious European CyberRace ‘Capture the Flag’ final.
Two of our academics were involved in organising the 7th International Workshop on applications of AI, Cybersecurity and Economics data analytics (ACE-2023), ensuring their teaching is at the cutting edge of international advancements.
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour
Dr Ali Mansour is a Senior Lecturer in Computing and Information Systems at the University of Bedfordshire. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), a BCS Chartered IT Professional (CITP), an Engineering Council Chartered Engineer (CEng), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Ali runs the Cybersecurity Club@UoB via BREO and an advocate for the integration of professional industry certification content into academic degrees as the case with the various Cisco and CompTIA courses at UG and PG levels. His research interests are in Cybersecurity, Educational technologies, and Medical informatics.
Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour
Dr Ali Mansour is a Senior Lecturer in Computing and Information Systems at the University of Bedfordshire. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), a BCS Chartered IT Professional (CITP), an Engineering Council Chartered Engineer (CEng), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Ali runs the Cybersecurity Club@UoB via BREO and an advocate for the integration of professional industry certification content into academic degrees as the case with the various Cisco and CompTIA courses at UG and PG levels. His research interests are in Cybersecurity, Educational technologies, and Medical informatics.
Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour
Dr Ali Mansour is a Senior Lecturer in Computing and Information Systems at the University of Bedfordshire. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), a BCS Chartered IT Professional (CITP), an Engineering Council Chartered Engineer (CEng), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Ali runs the Cybersecurity Club@UoB via BREO and an advocate for the integration of professional industry certification content into academic degrees as the case with the various Cisco and CompTIA courses at UG and PG levels. His research interests are in Cybersecurity, Educational technologies, and Medical informatics.
Course Leader - Dr Ali Mansour
Dr Ali Mansour is a Senior Lecturer in Computing and Information Systems at the University of Bedfordshire. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), a BCS Chartered IT Professional (CITP), an Engineering Council Chartered Engineer (CEng), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Ali runs the Cybersecurity Club@UoB via BREO and an advocate for the integration of professional industry certification content into academic degrees as the case with the various Cisco and CompTIA courses at UG and PG levels. His research interests are in Cybersecurity, Educational technologies, and Medical informatics.
Year 1
Mathematics and concepts for computational thinking - Apply maths-based coding skills to build software applications using programming languages like Python. Databases and computer networks - An introduction to networking and data organisation as well as practical skills in design, configuration and troubleshooting. Principles of programming and data structures - Develop your skills in using a high-level programming language and apply them to real-world problems. Principles of information security - Learn cybersecurity fundamentals in areas such as cyber threats, threat actors, network protection and basic cryptography.
Year 2
Wireless communications and networking - Learn wireless networking principles in areas like radio-frequency basics, and practical WLAN design, installation and troubleshooting. Cyber defence and information governance – Use key principles, methods and tools for information gathering and analytics to reduce the risk and detection time of cyber-attacks. Ethical hacking - Gain specialised knowledge and hands-on experience in ethical hacking, penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. Information security management - Gain an understanding of cybersecurity operations, security management processes, and the tools and techniques used across organisations. Switching and routing – A Cisco-based programme covering switching and routing, cybersecurity threat protection, and configuring and troubleshooting enterprise networks.
Year 3
Incidence response – Build on your skills in computer security, countermeasures and forensics, with a focus on incident response and the legal aspects of cybercrime. Research methodologies and emerging technologies – Plan your Honours project around current or emerging technologies, using research to back up your proposal. Agile project management – Gain valuable project-management skills for your graduate career. Undergraduate project – Work independently to develop and complete a major project on a topic of your choice.
You are assessed in a variety of ways. The majority of units are assessed through coursework group and individual projects portfolios essays presentations or exams. You will also produce software artefacts in the area of your specialism. Constant feedback and advice from a supervisory or unit team will be provided to support you in your studies. You are required to comprehend the basic range of intellectual concepts which form the foundations of the subject and application area and will be assessed on your ability to articulate such concepts in a coherent manner.
There are opportunities for formative assessment particularly through guided learning. Written assessments are used to allow the students to reflect on their experiences in the workplace and to consider steps they could take to apply their learning. E-Portfolios allow students to collect evidence of work they have completed as well as examples and applications of their knowledge from course. Students may also be required to make technical presentations. At level 4 you are assessed on your understanding of the fundamental concepts of Computer Science and its applications. Students will also be introduced to fundamental theory around data analytics and its applications to network defence underpinned by the basics of information security principles. At level 5 you are assessed on your ability to apply the basic concepts of the disciplines introduced in level 4 to existing controversies and issues on which there is already a body of research and critical opinion. At level 6 you will be required to demonstrate independent thinking and initiative. This may be in the form of analysing and criticising current approaches and theory within cybersecurity malware analysis and GRC frameworks. In all cases you will be expected to show an awareness of the major theories and practices of the discipline. You will progress from well-defined briefs to more open-ended and challenging assessments which culminate in the honours project - where you will be given freedom to choose your area of work.
Careers
This course opens up a range of roles including information security specialists, network security officers/administrators/engineers, penetration testers, mobile security testers, cybersecurity operations centre specialists, incident responder network administrators/engineers and systems administrators/engineers.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Virtual Tour
