Cybersecurity

Course overview

This course will prepare you for a successful career in an exciting and in-demand sector.

In this cutting-edge course, you'll delve into security dynamics and the art of risk management, exploring the human factors that shape cyber threats. You will gain a holistic understanding of cybersecurity, as the curriculum uniquely intertwines cybersecurity concepts with the power of computer science skills.

However, you won't just learn about cybersecurity you will gain practical training that exposes you to real-world scenarios. Engage in simulated cyber-attack and defence exercises that sharpen your problem-solving skills and give you a taste of the cybersecurity sector.

“The teaching was very good. All the lecturers seemed to know a lot about what they were teaching and were very passionate about it. In addition, the lecturers were open to explaining everything in more detail when asked about it.”

Denver Fernandes

Graduate Software Developer, PCMS Group PLC

Why Cybersecurity at Aston University?

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold- the highest possible rating for Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Ranked 13th in the UK

For median earnings on average £33,200 in the first year after graduation (LEO, 2023)

Ranked 24th in the world

Aston University is ranked 24th in the world for reducing inequalities

Ranked 12th in the UK overall

Cybersecurity, Guardian University Guide, 2025

Top 10% in the world

Aston University placed in the top 10% of all 5,663 institutions evaluated

91% felt positive about learning resources

91% of Cyber Security students felt positive about learning resources

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Course description

BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity

The BSc Cybersecurity degree at Aston University equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in the tech world.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second largest city, delivered by experienced and seasoned cybersecurity professionals and academics who bring a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom. Use of state-of-the-art facilities, including modern computer labs.

We are an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry. To find out more, visit here.

Aston University no longer provides laptops to computer science students. All of our students will be required to purchase and use their own laptops throughout their learning journey with Aston.

What you will provide
Are you captivated by the ever-evolving digital landscape? We are looking for individuals passionate about technology, with a curiosity to uncover the inner workings of systems, applications, and networks. Problem-solving and logical thinking are critical on this course, as cybersecurity is as much about adapting to the evolving threat landscape as it is about pre-emptively countering those threats.

Our students will be required to purchase and use their own laptops throughout their learning journey with Aston.

What skills we teach
From mastering a range of programming languages to nailing pen-testing (a simulated attack performed on a computer system to evaluate its security). You will also gain soft skills critical to the workplace like project management, time management, communication, and teamwork. Making you a sought-after professional in the digital age.

Placement year
The compulsory placements year is a fantastic opportunity and mandatory with Aston University’s BSc Cybersecurity course. Our award-winning careers and placement team will help you find an exciting and relevant placement and support you during your year. Previous students have gained experience with leading companies, such as IBM, 3M, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Intel, BT, Corus and TNT.

Career prospects
The government has identified a shortage in qualified graduates in cybersecurity, calling it a 'national vulnerability that must be resolved' in its National Cybersecurity Strategy. Our 2023 graduates from this versatile and in-demand degree have gone on to successful roles such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Technical Consultant and Information Security Analyst for leading companies like American Express, Seven Trent Water and Capgemini.

How you will learn

Your teaching will take place predominately on campus with online resources available to support your learning. Our teaching methods range from engaging lectures to interactive workshops and practical lab sessions, allowing you to absorb knowledge through multiple angles and put theory into practice.

We have strong connections with leading companies and organisations in the tech sector, through our Computer Science Industry Club. So, you will also benefit from guest lectures, placements and networking opportunities that provide a direct link to potential employers.

Here at Aston University, we are passionate about supporting our students. You will have a personal tutor throughout your studies to provide support and guidance, and a dedicated programming support officer for additional support. The Learning Development Centre is there to provide maths support, academic writing development, advice, and strategies for managing your studies. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in PAL sessions, learning from your peers who have been through the course content before you.

Extracurricular activities:

You can join a vibrant community of like-minded individuals in our Aston Computer Science Society
Become a member of the 'Industry Club'. Where you'll gain access to hands-on industry experience, internships, and projects with tech companies. Helping you build your professional network from the get-go.
Challenge yourself in the annual Aston Hack hackathon, a frenzied 24 hours of designing, coding, and making.
Let your creativity run wild in our Design Challenge, whilst you tackle real-world engineering problems and propose innovative solutions.
Join our Formula Student team where you will design, build, and race your very own formula-style car.

My Aston Experience

Lionel shares his experience about studying computing at Aston

Find out more

Facilities

Aston University campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern computer labs, collaborative spaces, and resources to aid your studies and research. We have dedicated lab officers and laptop support technician’s available to all students.

BSc Cybersecurity students will learn in our isolated CyberLab, a virtualised infrastructure, dedicated to mimic actual security operations centres, giving you an authentic but safe environment to refine your skills.

Students are required to purchase their own laptops which they will use throughout their learning journey with Aston.

We have a range of high-spec gadgets such as Augmented Reality headsets, Driving Simulator, and Pepper the AI Robot, which can be utilised for individual student projects.

Augmented reality headset

Driving simulator

Course objectives

Provides a broad computing-based foundation with an emphasis on security that cuts across a range of cybersecurity specialisations.
Produces graduates who possess essential cybersecurity knowledge and skills.
Produce graduates who have high ethical and professional values.
Produce graduates who are highly attractive to employers and well prepared for a rewarding career as cybersecurity professionals, adaptable to a wide range of employment opportunities.
Enables you to enhance your career preparation through a period of structured professional training.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Introductory Mathematics for Digital Science	15
Fundamentals of Digital Systems	15
Introductory Programming for Digital Science	15
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science	15
Cybersecurity Fundamentals	15
Internet Applications and Databases	15
Power Skills	15
Interdisciplinary Design Project	15
Total	120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Explain the basic principles of cybersecurity in the context of the general computing environment.
Construct and implement reliable and usable software to solve practical problems.
Describe computability and mathematical principles with a particular focus on Digital Science.
Use computational thinking to solve computing problems and evaluate solutions.
Construct and deploy effective Internet applications incorporating a server-side database.
Explain the basic principles of artificial intelligence in the context of the general computing environment.
Describe the purposes and general organisation of a computer system and the principles of computer hardware architecture.
Evaluate and interpret data using industry-standard methods and communicate information effectively to ensure data-driven approaches to decision-making in solving complex problems.
Use sustainable development strategies that reflect a deep understanding of the Circular Economy, Net-Zero strategies, Design and Systems Thinking, and Global Social Responsibility and lead to solutions that are ethically sound and globally relevant.
Employ integrated problem-solving skills to analyse challenging and multifaceted problems considering professional, social, and ethical contexts.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Applied Cryptography	15
Human Factors in Security	15
Secure Networks and Operating Systems	15
Security Operations	15
Software Engineering	15
Data Structures, Algorithms and Object-Oriented Programming	15
Team Project	15
Ethics, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability	15
Total	120

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Apply advanced cryptographic methods as security controls.
Develop user-centred security techniques to address identified human-centred vulnerabilities in information systems.
Apply measures to mitigate identified security threats to threats to computers and networks.
Communicate security problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Analyse the contextual aspects of computer systems including the historical, legal, ethical, equality, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability dimensions.
Specify, document, develop and test reliable, secure and usable object-oriented computer-based systems.
Deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of computer applications, with particular emphasis on understanding the whole process involved in the effective deployment of computers to solve practical problems.
Demonstrate an ability to work as a member of a development team recognising the different roles within a team and different ways of organising teams.
Select and apply methods, techniques and tools for information modelling, management and security.

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement Year

Module Title	Credits
EPS Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Develop an understanding of business and the relevant commercial environment and/or intercultural study and their role within it.
Gain knowledge of key aspects of good practice relevant to industry and/or intercultural study context.
Develop new knowledge and understanding appropriate to the industrial, business, study or research sector related to degree programme.
Communicate effectively in a variety of ways in a professional and industrial environment and/or in an intercultural study context.

Final year modules

In your final year, you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Individual Project	45
Risk Management & Security Governance	15
Software Security	15
Total	75

Select 15 credits from the following optional modules:

Module Title	Credits
Cybercrime and Cyber Laws	15
Distributed Systems and Blockchain	15

Select 15 credits from the following optional modules:

Module Title	Credits
Digital Forensics	15
DevSecOps	15

Select 15 credits from the following optional modules:

Module Title	Credits
Ethical Hacking	15
Privacy Engineering	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Final Year Outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Analyse the extent to which a computer based-system meets the criteria defined for its current use and future development, with a particular focus on security.
Deploy appropriate theory and practices and deploy tools for the specification, design, implementation, and evaluation of secure computer-based systems.
Compare and contrast management techniques which may be used to achieve security and enterprise objectives within a computing context.
Analyse systems in terms of security and other quality attributes possible trade-offs presented within the given problem.
Analyse the security risks of information systems in a given context, and propose risk mitigations that recognise an organisation’s business objectives.
Make informed decisions on the methods and issues involved in deploying systems to meet business goals subject to security threats.
Define and complete an independent project that tackles a complex problem in the field of cybersecurity, demonstrating an ability to analyse and critically evaluate a new solution.
Investigate, organise and analyse the knowledge and methods from a variety of sources to solve cybersecurity problems.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBB (any subject) or BBC including one STEM subject
BCC or BCC including one STEM subject (with an EPQ or Core Maths* at grade B)
BCC or CCC including one STEM subject (contextual offer)

List of STEM subjects: Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Engineering Science, Computer Science or Electronics

*List of core maths qualifications we accept: AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies, City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics, NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics for Everyday Life, OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving, OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning, Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context, WJEC Eduqas Certificate in Mathematics for Work and Life and Level 3 Core Math.

Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (any subject): DDM
Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
National Diploma and Diploma: DM plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade B
Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: DM plus 2 A-level minimum grade B
National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: M plus 2 A-level minimum Grade B
Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted

31 overall points with 5, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects

Access with at least 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at Level 3.

The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Accounting Grade D
Agriculture, Land Management and Production Grade D
Animal Care and Management Grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction Grade D
Catering Grade D
Craft and Design Grade D
Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing Grade D
Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction Grade D#
Digital Business Services Grade D
Digital Production, Design and Development Grade D
Digital Support Services Grade D
Education and Childcare Grade D
Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control Grade D
Finance Grade D
Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy Grade D
Legal Services Grade D
Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing Grade D
Management and Administration Grade D
Media, Broadcast and Production Grade D
Onsite Construction Grade D
Health Grade D
Healthcare Science Grade D
Science Grade D

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

GCSE Maths Grade C/4 and English Grade C/4 and above.

Non-standard qualifications

Degree

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent Level 3) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference from your current institution.

Year 2 entry: Please note that second-year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space in that year of the programme.
Typically, applicants for second-year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content.

The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference from your current institution.

Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,250
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£21,500
During placement year:	£2,500

Fees listed are for 2024 entry. For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies. For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

The BSc Cybersecurity degree employs a range of authentic assessment methods, including portfolio work, coursework, quizzes, and exams.

The initial two years have a 50/50 balance between immersive coursework and exams. As you head into the final year, there will be a shift towards more closed book exams.

The assessment methods will reflect the most effective and relevant way to review your performance for each module. Therefore, each module will be assessed in a variety of ways to reflect your knowledge from that module and how you would apply it in the real world.

Career prospects

This programme will position you at the forefront of this exciting field. Whether you aspire to work as a penetration tester, cybersecurity analyst, incident responder, software or network engineer or consultant, the BSc Cybersecurity program equips you with the skills that employers are desperately seeking.

Our 2023 graduates from this versatile and in-demand degree have gone on to successful roles such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Technical Consultant and Information Security Analyst for leading companies like American Express, Seven Trent Water and Capgemini.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Why study Cybersecurity at Aston University?

This course will prepare you for a successful career in an exciting and in-demand sector.

How will a placement year benefit me?

We think that the knowledge you gain through your studies are best applied to real life and the most effective way to do this is by working in a company. As well as the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned, you’ll also gain invaluable communication and team skills.

We have excellent links with industry and will help to arrange this placement for you.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham