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BSc (Hons) Forensic Computing & Security

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  • UCAS Code:
    G550
  • Institution:
    B50
  • Delivery:
    Sandwich (Thick) out of college.

Are you interested in digital forensics, using ethical hacking to identify security gaps and help prevent cyber crime?

Software security specialists are involved in the design of all aspects of Information Technology systems and are vital in protecting user and organisational data. In this course, you will learn the tools and techniques to design and evaluate secure software.

You will gain experience in understanding the ways that hackers, as well as general users, think in order to predict their behaviour and use your applied technical skills to expose weakness in systems to ultimately build and maintain secure digital environments.

Our innovative approach to your learning opportunities will see you engaging in a series of practical, industry-focused tasks, aimed at ensuring you graduate with the full range of relevant, up-to-date skills necessary to succeed in the cyber security profession.

You’ll be supported by academics with considerable experience in the security industry. Through groups such as the Cyber Security Research Group (BUCSR),  you’ll be encouraged to co-participate in a range of research projects, not only with BU staff but experts from other institutions in the UK and Europe.

You’ll be qualified to work in the security and/or forensic industry in roles such as police forensics investigator, forensics consultant, security advisor, information security analyst or cyber security analyst.

This is one of eight undergraduate computing courses we offer at BU. As we understand that it can be difficult to know what area you’d like to specialise in, all of these courses share a common first year, giving you the time to really explore the subject before deciding on a specialism. You only need to apply for one of the courses in the framework and you will have the opportunity to change your final degree title during your study with us. 

83% of our final year students agree that our staff are good at explaining things, so why not book onto an Open Day to come and meet us, or join us on live chat now to find out more?

All statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE), BU institutional data and Ipsos MORI (National Student Survey) unless otherwise stated.

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students in cyber security lab
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Students in Computing
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Cyber Security lab
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Talbot Campus
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The Mary Shelley Lecture Theatre
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Outside the Fusion Building
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Key information

Next start date:

September 2021, September 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

4 years full-time with a minimum 30-week placement or 3 years full-time. You will be enrolled onto the 4-year degree, but can opt out of the placement year

Accreditations:

The Chartered Institute for IT (BCS)

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: 104 - 120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each of the 4 components or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Accredited by:

Course details

On this course you will be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

Contact hours and assessment 

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification. 

Download the programme specification (pdf, 187kb)

Placements

At BU, we recognise that placements are extremely valuable and can give you a head start when it comes to your future career. That’s why we offer every new student the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course.

Your optional placement will begin after your second year of study and must last a minimum of 30 weeks. We will provide a great deal of support to help you find the most appropriate placement for the subject you’re studying and the career you’re interested in, which means you could be based anywhere in the UK, or even overseas.

The placement provides an excellent opportunity for you to gain first-hand industry experience. Find out more about how we support you during your placement.

Find out about BU students’ experiences on placementsAll you need to know about placements

Your application

For this course will suit applicants who are:

  • Analytical
  • Technical
  • Practical
  • Creative.

How to apply

Entry requirements

Careers

This degree will provide you with a broad range of technical computing knowledge, as well as allowing you to specialise in the forensic aspect of computing, covering investigation and IT security. This will make you a diverse professional who is equipped to take on a variety of roles once you graduate. 95% of our students on this course are working or studying six months after graduating.

There are a number of career paths open to you, especially in specialist to forensic computing and security roles.

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer – including unlimited Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK, EU and International students.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be. You’ll also find you could benefit from a range of discounts as a student.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

Our staff

You can visit our department pages to read more about the expertise of other members of the Department of Computing & Informatics, and register now to come along and meet some of them.

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

Course changes

What employers think

Detective Superintendent Mark Callaghan

Cyber-crime is a fast growing area with criminals exploiting the speed, convenience and facelessness of the internet to commit a range of criminal activities.

What our students say

Harrison South

This course is focused on the real world, how you’re going to be able to apply it in a practical sense.

Hear from our staff

Dr Christos Gatzidis

It’s important not to disregard the impact of a BU education on an individual such as attention to deadlines, professionalism, facilitation of organised teamwork, and many others.

All statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE), BU institutional data and Ipsos MORI (National Student Survey) unless otherwise stated.