Computer Science with Cyber Security BSc (Hons)
Honours Degree, Undergraduate, September 2025
Key Details
- G400 Course Code
- 3 Years
- 112 Typical UCAS Tariff
The BSc Computer Science with Cyber Security aims to produce skilled professionals who play a crucial role in protecting sensitive information and systems in today’s digital age from cyber threats. As huge amounts of data get generated from extensive information systems and automation in our daily lives, mitigating and diffusing threats to integrity and accuracy of these data becomes an imperative compulsory need for all individuals and organizations. The specialist modules provide knowledge of the security guidelines and frameworks, preventative measures processes to safeguard digital assets, secure software development, collection of digital evidences and audit trails, analyses of data, identification and fixing of security vulnerabilities, intrusion detection, compliance and legal issues.
The fundamental concepts of computer science, which form technical foundation of the field, are complemented with an essential focus on experiential learning through practical and programming exercises tailored towards cyber security. The graduates get prepared for addressing challenging and intellectually stimulating real-world scenarios by leveraging emerging technologies, computational principles and practical knowledge. The necessary skillset enables them to stay ahead of cyber threats, protect individuals and organization and contribute towards ensuring a safer digital world.
This opportunity is provided as a pathway on our BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree. All students begin their studies on the BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree before choosing the Cyber Security pathway towards the end of their first year of study. Students who complete this pathway will receive the specialist BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Cyber Security award at graduation.
- This course enables students to develop competence in key themes such as computer networking, cyber security, secure software development, information security, vulnerability assessment & reverse engineering, Internet of Things, alongside wisdom in their application domains, sufficient for them to progress to postgraduate study or employability.
- A rigorous, coherent and engaging curriculum that draws on the teaching strengths and research expertise in the subject area, aims to provide students unfettered learning opportunities tailored to address emerging technologies and specialisms.
- Learning opportunities encourage and support the spirit of intellectual curiosity and enquiry, an ability to apply computational thinking to solve problems and the capacity for creative computing.
- Relevant professional bodies (e.g. British Computing Society) inform the learning experiences provided to acquire and develop the practical skills essential within Computer Science.
- Students develop an appreciation of legal, professional, economic, environmental, moral and ethical issues involved with Computer Science and their impact upon society.
The first year covers basics of Computer Science. More specifically, you will analyse small-scale problems and design their solutions by applying algorithmic and mathematical techniques. The programming, web applications development, data structures, computer architecture and networking fundamentals modules would develop necessary skills for computer scientists and also familiarise them to professional ethos and awareness of security implications.
In second year, the core modules ensure developing a deeper understanding of user interface design, mobile application development, cyber security and machine learning. Additionally, the specialist modules within cyber security specialism support tailoring study paths to individual strengths and ambitions. The optional modules like secure software design & development and information assurance will ensure acquiring pertinent technical skills, theoretical foundations and professional responsibility while developing medium-scale, real-world projects within the modules.
As you progress into the third year, higher level and core Computer Science modules, such as Internet of Things and Deep Learning, will underpin the specialist modules like vulnerability assessment & reverse engineering and information security. Each of these modules has an elegant blend of theory and practice and offers a stimulating and challenging learning experience that allows developing an informed and practical understanding. The ability to research, think and analyse critically, design secure software applications and also to reflect and develop both personally and professionally will be entailed in the final year project with the aim of considering the role and career which Computer Science graduates wish to undertake in realms of cyber security.
3 hours of contact time per 20 credit modules, a total of 9 contact hours per week.
Modules are assessed through portfolios, video papers, digital artefacts, case studies and blogs alongside more traditional assessment types such as technical reports, academic essays, presentations, projects or online exams.
As a graduate who has developed a passion for Computer Science, you will be well prepared for post-graduate study, professional training and/or graduate employment in the commercial sector.
You may choose to pursue a career as a programmer, machine learning developer, data scientist, business analyst, network manager, cyber security manager, cloud and web application developer, database developer or games designer.
The course also provides progression to the PGCE Secondary Computing course at Newman as part of a seamless transition if you meet the Department of Education Initial Teacher Training entry requirements.
Birmingham Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.
Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.
Dining out
Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).
Entertainment
Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!
Location
Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!
Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?
Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.
Entry Requirements
112 UCAS points, to include minimum grades of CC at A Level or equivalent (e.g. MM at BTEC Diploma) or 96 UCAS points from a maximum of 3 A Levels.
As it is not possible to achieve 104 UCAS points through an Access course, Access students will need 106 UCAS points.
Access Students can achieve this with the following combination of Distinction, Merit and/or Pass grades at level 3 achieved from a completed Access course.
BTEC National Diploma with an overall grade of Distinction, Merit, Merit, or an Access Diploma with a minimum of 39 credits with Merit or Distinction. Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including GCSE English Language (or a recognised equivalent) and Mathematics must be achieved.
Students applying for this course may benefit from an approved articulation agreement with the current educational institution that the student is at present studying at.
Mature student applicants with relevant professional qualifications are also welcomed. This will be dealt with on an individual basis through Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning (RPEL).
Students from other HEIs studying computer science or a computing-related degree may be admitted through the RPEL following a UCAS application, for the year of study they wish to apply for, from the individual student.
RPL/RPeL Arrangements
Newman University’s Recognition of Prior Learning and Prior Experiential Learning (RPL & RPeL) Policy outlines the arrangements and process for a potential student applying directly to Newman for this programme. An RPL/RPeL applicant would present an authentic, relevant, substantial, and acceptable portfolio of evidence with appropriate current artefacts to allow them to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding for a specific module they are claiming accreditation of prior learning for. Other assessment tools that might be used include: interviews, self-reflective portfolios, project, and module assessments. These assessment tools would be assessed by a competent member of the programme team.
DBS Checks
At the commencement of the course, individual students will not require a DBS check. However, if they decide to volunteer and participate in a computing-related activity in a school, then they will be required to undertake a DBS check which they need to fund themselves. They will also need to apply for this in sufficient time for it to be in place before commencing such work-related learning.
Course Fees
The full-time course fee, for UK home students, for September 2025 is £9535 per year.
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
Additional Costs
Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees.
Additional Information
General Academic Regulations: Terms and Conditions for students attending our courses