Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security MSci/BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Student stands in focus in background with large screen showing code, two other students on laptop sit between him and the camera

This course aims to provide you with a strong practical and theoretical understanding of cybersecurity, hacking, digital forensics, security operations and the underlying associated computer science.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MSci:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

GG45 / I120

Start date

September 2024


Course overview

The course is designed to help you develop skills in the following areas:

  • Understanding who ‘hackers’ typically are, the techniques they use to break into systems and the way we defend against them.
  • Learning how to examine computers and networks for digital artefacts, and how these can be used in a legal case, or as part of incident response.
  • Understanding how the network infrastructure connects systems, and the impact on security. 
Hand selecting a user icon in a coloured circle.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

  • Join a thriving community of ethical hackers with opportunities to participate in societies and live ‘hackathon’ type events2.
  • Previous graduates have gone on to become security consultants, security engineers, penetration testers and other sector-specific roles.
  • Practical, hands-on approach to teaching, where you have the chance to demonstrate the theoretical aspects of the course through real-world examples.
  • Dedicated specialised learning environment - the Ethical Hacking Lab4

What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.   

Modules

In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:  

  • Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge 
  • Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner 
  • Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career 
  • Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen  

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.  

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.  
 

Modules

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor.   

Modules

If you meet the criteria, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master's option3, which will deepen your knowledge and expertise.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Your course will be based on a series of lectures, with associated seminars and project-based practical classes.

In addition, your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and provide advice. You will be expected to engage in both class and online activities and discussions. Each module will also require you to participate in additional guided reading and self-directed study, to reinforce the learning gained from timetabled sessions.

We believe that the best way of learning is through doing - applying the theoretical concepts to practical problems. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on the practical development of work, with a significant portion of your time being spent on assisted lab tasks, which may involve live practical hacking challenges, seminars discussing topics such as cryptography and secrecy or project-based classes, which may involve more in-depth work developing secure systems in hostile environments2


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week, you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual Assignments
  • Laboratories

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes. 


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points BSc (Hons): 120
MSci: 128
A level BSc (Hons): BBB to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
MSci: ABB to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above including English and Mathematics.
BTEC BSc (Hons): DDM in IT or a technical subject.
MSci: DDD in IT or a technical subject.
IB Diploma BSc (Hons): 29 points to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level.
MSci: 31 points to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level.
Access to HE BSc (Hons): The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 or above.
MSci: The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits all at merit or above in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with us

Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Computing will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Chat with us

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Optional international field trips: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

On-site facilities4 offer you high-specification learning environments, which benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

  • Ethical Hacking Lab: a course-specific room with custom operating systems and software, which allows you to reconfigure the setup in order to practice your hacking techniques.
  • Networking Lab: which allows you to build and test the physical network.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Understand, categorise and discuss threats to computer systems and services.
  • Apply sound investigations and reporting procedures to identify and report issues in systems, or as part of a forensic investigation.
  • Apply research and problem-solving skills to a security-related project. 

Past graduates of Coventry University have found work in penetration testing, digital forensics and network security. Working for organisations such Nettitude Cyber Security Services, Janet, the BBC and the UK Government. Other students have gone on to successful careers outside of security, in software development roles.

Our graduates often come back to give guest talks, meet (and often recruit) the current students and take part in extracurricular events (subject to availability)2.

Where our graduates work

  • Nettitude Cyber Security Services
  • BBC
  • UK Government
  • Janet
  • Barclays Bank.

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply

Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

Part-time students should apply directly to the university.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
BSc: EECU140
MSci: EECU139

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

You may also like

Coventry University (Coventry) Young student working on a small remote controlled car.

Computer Science MSci / BSc (Hons)

Coventry University (Coventry) A female with a silver nose piercing, writing on a white board

Data Science MSci/BSc (Hons)

Coventry University (Coventry) Group of students working on programming a car

Software Engineering BSc (Hons)


Discover Uni stats