Course Overview
About the course
Entry requirements
Careers
Tuition fees
Apply online
Course overview
Are you looking to explore the rewarding field of cyber security?
Do you want to find ways of fighting against cyber crime?
According to IBM’s Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was USD 4.45 million, a 15% increase over 3 years (IBM, 2023).
The demand for qualified cyber security professionals has increased exponentially, and Solent’s BSc (Hons) Cyber Security course is designed to teach you all the crucial skills to meet this demand and kick start your career in the field.
The course also provides a modern industry-recognised professional qualification, the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) “Introduction to Networks” certification which will equip students with the right set of practical and technical skills highly valued by the industry.
The course aims to:
- Deliver a structured programme that supports and challenges you to achieve the best of your ability and help you achieve your career aspirations in the cyber security field.
- Teach the fundamental technical, practical and critical thinking skills needed to succeed as a Cyber and Network Security specialist.
- Prepare you for a career as a network and cyber security specialist, ready to embrace challenges and contribute to the ever-changing world of computer networking technology
- Enable you to develop a range of subject-specific and transferable skills which can facilitate continued personal and professional development.
This course is delivered as part of a partnership between QA Higher Education and Solent University. The programme is validated by the University and delivered by QA Higher Education.
Teaching and assessment
- Lectures, seminars, and workshops: 9 – 12 hours per week
- Independent study: 30 hours per week
- Assessment: Coursework and exams
Blended learning
The future is becoming more and more digital. Our blended learning approach allows you to develop all necessary skills to thrive in the digital era. You’ll get the best of both worlds with a balance of face-to-face and online teaching, building your confidence ready for success in the digital workplace.
Receiving the same number of live contact hours as face-to-face programmes, a typical timetable may include:
- Daytime students – If you are a daytime student, you will typically have 2 days of tuition per week – your sessions will be on-campus for 1 of those days and the other day will take place live online.
- Evening and weekend students – Evening and weekend blended timetables will typically follow one of the below patterns each week:
- 2 evenings live online and 1 weekend day face-to-face on-campus, or
- 2 evenings face-to-face on-campus and 1 weekend day live online
- Weekend students – If you are a weekend student, you will typically have face-to-face sessions on Saturday and online sessions on Sunday.
Please note that the blended timetable pattern will be decided by the scheduling team.
Visit our blended learning page for further information.
Modules
All units are core and are worth 20 credits unless specified.
Year 1
This module will introduce you to software implementation through the process of understanding how to solve problems using programming.
In this module you will be introduced to the importance of cyber security. Studying concepts including; basic security theory and security assistance, the basic techniques for application of security concepts; and the role of ethical hackers.
In this module you are introduced to the skills and concepts required to develop and use relational databases. You will learn how to write programs interacting with databases and how to create them.
In this module you’ll explore networks by using a network simulator to learn what devices and connections are used. These will then be applied to various principles of networking, protocols and associated technologies. This module will give you an industry cisco certificate.
This module investigates the function and management of operating systems and the services that run on networks to facilitate this communication between systems.
To prepare for the network transition towards controller based activities, this module will prepare you with the knowledge of foundational technologies, ensuring you stay relevant with skill sets.
Year 2
This module offers an opportunity to develop the blend of understanding and skills required, including specialist technical ethical hacking skills (emphasis is placed on the ethical use of the skills acquired).
This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to design, implement and test computer networks to meet a company’s requirement.
The module will investigate the theoretical concepts of network security and the application of these to the design of secure networks.
Throughout this module you will explore topics including network system principles, services and configuration, and investigate the applications and management of network systems.
This module will align you with the forefront of scientific knowledge, and, in doing so, you will hone your research skills.
This module discusses the notion of cyber threat intelligence and its main challenges and opportunities, and presents solutions and tools to provide threat intelligence.
Year 3
On this module you will discover, identify, and analyse threats, perform attack techniques, discover vulnerabilities and apply mitigations.
Your dissertation may be practical or investigative in nature, but all projects must produce specific artefacts that demonstrate your intellectual and practical skills in the subject area.
The module will deliver ‘Real-world’ learning which involves interaction with employers and external organisations to allow you to prepare, rehearse and reflect on your experiences.
This module considers electronic offending perpetrated against individuals, businesses, organisations and governments; the impacts of such crime; measures taken to manage it; and its detection, investigation and prosecution.
By the end of the module you will have explored how to evaluate, critically analyse and synthesise information, data and ideas and acquired practical skills in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT).
This module investigates the issues relating to the design and management of computer networks.
On this module you will learn how to investigate, critique and evaluate a range of cloud computing enabling technologies and your applications from various user cases and case studies.
The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2024/25. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.
Academic requirements
- 104 – 120 UCAS points
- A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D or T-level Merit, or equivalent.
If you don’t hold UK qualifications, please see the Country Specific Entry Requirements to find out more about the qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- GCSE English Grade 4/C.
- IELTS 6.0 with no component less than 5.5 in each band, or equivalent. Alternatively, applicants can sit the QA Higher Education English test.
Please note that if your qualifications are not in English, we might need certified translations in order to proceed with your application.
Interview
| Admissions Interview | Academic Interview |
|
|
Please note: we are not currently able to sponsor international students to study this programme at Solent University Centres. If you require sponsorship to study as an international student, this course will unfortunately be unavailable to you. If you would like to discuss alternative options, please contact 020 3944 1243.
Careers
This course is the first step towards your career goals, providing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
| Risk Management | Cloud Computing | Network Security |
| Ethical Hacking | Data Analysis | Operating Systems |
Developing skills that are industry-focused and transferrable, you will be the ideal candidate for jobs in a variety of fields and sectors.
Course graduates possess a broad array of skills and specialisms, making them well-suited for a diverse range of cyber security and computing roles.
Potential job roles this programme might open for you include:
| Ethical Hacker | Cyber Security Auditor |
| Cyber Security Analyst | Digital Forensics Analyst |
| Cyber Consultant | Cyber Defence Analyst |
Tuition fees 25/26
- £9,535 per annum
Access to a laptop/PC with a microphone, speakers, webcam and a reliable internet connect is required for accessing your live online sessions.
| Included in your Tuition Fees |
| Academic Support, including the Academic Community of Excellence (ACE) Team |
| Careers and Employment Service |
| Class hours (lectures, seminars and tutorials) |
| Facilities (computers, on-campus wi-fi, printers, vending machines) |
| Library resources, including a large online catalogue of books, journals and other more |
| Online resources |
| Social spaces (quiet study spaces, multi-faith rooms and spaces to socialise) |
| Student Support (Welfare Team, Finance Team and more) |
Tuition fees do not include the cost of course books you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing, photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities.
We recommend you allow an additional £200 per annum to buy some of the course texts which are around £30 each.
READY TO APPLY?
If you are ready to apply, please complete our online application form in the links below and provide any required supporting documents. We will assess your application and provide you with a response. If you experience any issues, please contact home.admissions@qa.com.
APPLY FOR OCTOBER 2025
You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your application.
| Daytime classes | Evening & Weekend classes | Weekend classes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Apply for October | Apply for October | Apply for October |
| Birmingham | Apply for October | Not available | Apply for October |
| Manchester | Apply for October | Not available | Not available |
WANT TO ASK US A QUESTION?
If you have any questions regarding this programme, entry requirements, or studying with us, contact us using the form below.
Key Information
Level
Undergraduate
Entry Requirements
104 - 120 UCAS points
Tuition Fees
2025/26: £9,535 (per annum)
Duration
3 years
Start Date
October and February
Next Application Deadline
October 2025
Location
London/Birmingham/Manchester
Course Overview
- Course Overview
- About the course
- Entry requirements
- Careers
- Tuition fees
- Apply online
Course overview
Are you looking to explore the rewarding field of cyber security?
Do you want to find ways of fighting against cyber crime?
According to IBM’s Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was USD 4.45 million, a 15% increase over 3 years (IBM, 2023).
The demand for qualified cyber security professionals has increased exponentially, and Solent’s BSc (Hons) Cyber Security course is designed to teach you all the crucial skills to meet this demand and kick start your career in the field.
The course also provides a modern industry-recognised professional qualification, the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) “Introduction to Networks” certification which will equip students with the right set of practical and technical skills highly valued by the industry.
The course aims to:
- Deliver a structured programme that supports and challenges you to achieve the best of your ability and help you achieve your career aspirations in the cyber security field.
- Teach the fundamental technical, practical and critical thinking skills needed to succeed as a Cyber and Network Security specialist.
- Prepare you for a career as a network and cyber security specialist, ready to embrace challenges and contribute to the ever-changing world of computer networking technology
- Enable you to develop a range of subject-specific and transferable skills which can facilitate continued personal and professional development.
This course is delivered as part of a partnership between QA Higher Education and Solent University. The programme is validated by the University and delivered by QA Higher Education.
Key information
Level
Undergraduate
Entry Requirements
104 - 120 UCAS points
Tuition Fees
2025/26: £9,535 (per annum)
Duration
3 years
Start Date
October and February
Next Application Deadline
October 2025
Location
London/Birmingham/Manchester
Teaching and assessment
- Lectures, seminars, and workshops: 9 – 12 hours per week
- Independent study: 30 hours per week
- Assessment: Coursework and exams
Blended learning
The future is becoming more and more digital. Our blended learning approach allows you to develop all necessary skills to thrive in the digital era. You’ll get the best of both worlds with a balance of face-to-face and online teaching, building your confidence ready for success in the digital workplace.
Receiving the same number of live contact hours as face-to-face programmes, a typical timetable may include:
- Daytime students – If you are a daytime student, you will typically have 2 days of tuition per week – your sessions will be on-campus for 1 of those days and the other day will take place live online.
- Evening and weekend students – Evening and weekend blended timetables will typically follow one of the below patterns each week:
- 2 evenings live online and 1 weekend day face-to-face on-campus, or
- 2 evenings face-to-face on-campus and 1 weekend day live online
- Weekend students – If you are a weekend student, you will typically have face-to-face sessions on Saturday and online sessions on Sunday.
Please note that the blended timetable pattern will be decided by the scheduling team.
Visit our blended learning page for further information.
Modules
All units are core and are worth 20 credits unless specified.
Year 1
This module will introduce you to software implementation through the process of understanding how to solve problems using programming.
In this module you will be introduced to the importance of cyber security. Studying concepts including; basic security theory and security assistance, the basic techniques for application of security concepts; and the role of ethical hackers.
In this module you are introduced to the skills and concepts required to develop and use relational databases. You will learn how to write programs interacting with databases and how to create them.
In this module you’ll explore networks by using a network simulator to learn what devices and connections are used. These will then be applied to various principles of networking, protocols and associated technologies. This module will give you an industry cisco certificate.
This module investigates the function and management of operating systems and the services that run on networks to facilitate this communication between systems.
To prepare for the network transition towards controller based activities, this module will prepare you with the knowledge of foundational technologies, ensuring you stay relevant with skill sets.
Year 2
This module offers an opportunity to develop the blend of understanding and skills required, including specialist technical ethical hacking skills (emphasis is placed on the ethical use of the skills acquired).
This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to design, implement and test computer networks to meet a company’s requirement.
The module will investigate the theoretical concepts of network security and the application of these to the design of secure networks.
Throughout this module you will explore topics including network system principles, services and configuration, and investigate the applications and management of network systems.
This module will align you with the forefront of scientific knowledge, and, in doing so, you will hone your research skills.
This module discusses the notion of cyber threat intelligence and its main challenges and opportunities, and presents solutions and tools to provide threat intelligence.
Year 3
On this module you will discover, identify, and analyse threats, perform attack techniques, discover vulnerabilities and apply mitigations.
Your dissertation may be practical or investigative in nature, but all projects must produce specific artefacts that demonstrate your intellectual and practical skills in the subject area.
The module will deliver ‘Real-world’ learning which involves interaction with employers and external organisations to allow you to prepare, rehearse and reflect on your experiences.
This module considers electronic offending perpetrated against individuals, businesses, organisations and governments; the impacts of such crime; measures taken to manage it; and its detection, investigation and prosecution.
By the end of the module you will have explored how to evaluate, critically analyse and synthesise information, data and ideas and acquired practical skills in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT).
This module investigates the issues relating to the design and management of computer networks.
On this module you will learn how to investigate, critique and evaluate a range of cloud computing enabling technologies and your applications from various user cases and case studies.
The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2024/25. We aim to run the course as advertised however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand or UK compliance reasons.
Academic requirements
- 104 – 120 UCAS points
- A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D or T-level Merit, or equivalent.
If you don’t hold UK qualifications, please see the Country Specific Entry Requirements to find out more about the qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- GCSE English Grade 4/C.
- IELTS 6.0 with no component less than 5.5 in each band, or equivalent. Alternatively, applicants can sit the QA Higher Education English test.
Please note that if your qualifications are not in English, we might need certified translations in order to proceed with your application.
Interview
| Admissions Interview | Academic Interview |
|
|
Please note: we are not currently able to sponsor international students to study this programme at Solent University Centres. If you require sponsorship to study as an international student, this course will unfortunately be unavailable to you. If you would like to discuss alternative options, please contact 020 3944 1243.
Careers
This course is the first step towards your career goals, providing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
| Risk Management | Cloud Computing | Network Security |
| Ethical Hacking | Data Analysis | Operating Systems |
Developing skills that are industry-focused and transferrable, you will be the ideal candidate for jobs in a variety of fields and sectors.
Course graduates possess a broad array of skills and specialisms, making them well-suited for a diverse range of cyber security and computing roles.
Potential job roles this programme might open for you include:
| Ethical Hacker | Cyber Security Auditor |
| Cyber Security Analyst | Digital Forensics Analyst |
| Cyber Consultant | Cyber Defence Analyst |
Tuition fees 25/26
- £9,535 per annum
Access to a laptop/PC with a microphone, speakers, webcam and a reliable internet connect is required for accessing your live online sessions.
| Included in your Tuition Fees |
| Academic Support, including the Academic Community of Excellence (ACE) Team |
| Careers and Employment Service |
| Class hours (lectures, seminars and tutorials) |
| Facilities (computers, on-campus wi-fi, printers, vending machines) |
| Library resources, including a large online catalogue of books, journals and other more |
| Online resources |
| Social spaces (quiet study spaces, multi-faith rooms and spaces to socialise) |
| Student Support (Welfare Team, Finance Team and more) |
Tuition fees do not include the cost of course books you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing, photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities.
We recommend you allow an additional £200 per annum to buy some of the course texts which are around £30 each.
READY TO APPLY?
If you are ready to apply, please complete our online application form in the links below and provide any required supporting documents. We will assess your application and provide you with a response. If you experience any issues, please contact home.admissions@qa.com.
APPLY FOR OCTOBER 2025
You will be directed to a QA Higher Education portal to set up an account and complete your application.
| Daytime classes | Evening & Weekend classes | Weekend classes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Apply for October | Apply for October | Apply for October |
| Birmingham | Apply for October | Not available | Apply for October |
| Manchester | Apply for October | Not available | Not available |
WANT TO ASK US A QUESTION?
If you have any questions regarding this programme, entry requirements, or studying with us, contact us using the form below.