Computing for England (Cyber Security) HTQ

Study level: Undergraduate
HTQ courses
Student working on computer hardware

This HTQ Computing course has been designed to develop students’ knowledge and understanding in relation to cyber threats and vulnerabilities, cyber defence techniques and incident response.

Year of entry

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

2 years full-time

Course code

CUSCU071

Start date

September 2025

The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.


Course overview

Students will explore fundamental principles as well as leading-edge concepts, terminologies, models, and hardening methods.

Students will assess the types of malicious activity and potential targets, and the role everyone has in maintaining cyber resilience.

On successful completion of this course, students will have explored the following;

  • the nature of cybercrime and cyber threat actors
  • looked into the roles and responsibilities in relation to information assurance
  • assessed the threats to, and vulnerabilities in ICT infrastructure
  • investigated strategic responses to cyber security threats.

The pathways at both Level 4 and Level 5 are mapped to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s Occupational Standards and professional body standards with the aim of providing professional status Level 5 HND and progression to direct employment, upon successful completion of this course. The vendor-accredited certification indicates that the course meets industry standards and prepares students with the necessary knowledge and skills required to enter the workforce. Additionally, obtaining a vendor-accredited certification can demonstrate to employers that a student has achieved a certain level of expertise and competence in a particular area.

Why you should study this course

With continuing digital revolution, computer systems are involved with just about every aspect of our lives. Whilst this connectivity procures advantages, it also implies vulnerabilities to personal data, interference with the operation of our devices, or even hijacking.

  • Due to the complex nature of these devices, and their interconnectivity, it is difficult to understand or predict where the potential for risk lies. Significant laboratory-based practical work to enable systems to be built, interrogated and evaluated4.
  • Peer learning by interrogating and critiquing the work of peers in a supportive environment.
  • The use of authentic case studies and scenarios based on real issues. • The employment of gaming approaches and technologies to provide immersive engagement.
  • The opportunity to undertake both mini-projects and larger-scale work, working both individually and in collaboration.
  • The development of a community of practice where experimentation and innovation is encouraged.
  • Engagement with the British Computer Society, the professional body for computing, with students enrolled as BCS members from the start – with activities to support professional profile and portfolio building.
  • Field trips to experience current professional/employment contexts and frequent guest speakers from industry.
  • An ethos that encourages questioning and criticality of both self and others in a supportive and professional context.
  • A strong and embedded focus on legal, social, ethical and professional issues throughout.

This course will be running under Intellectual Property Licence with Pearson Education Ltd.


What you'll study

As a result of the continuing digital revolution, computer systems are involved with just about every aspect of our modern lives. Increasingly these devices are internet enabled.

Whilst this connectivity procures many advantages, it also implies vulnerabilities to our personal data, interference with the operation of our devices, or even hijacking of their capabilities. Due to the complex nature of these devices, and their interconnectivity, it is difficult to understand and predict where the potential for risk lies.

As a result of this, society needs students to progress into industry being able to evaluate risk, as well as the ability to design and implement mitigation strategies. The security of information technology systems, or Cyber Security, is not only a question of individual privacy, but also of corporate, institutional and national importance, which explains the rapid growth in need for Cyber Security experts within the industry.

The industry requires people who are not just technically skilled, but able to work with a team in order to service large projects, and convey their findings to a range of audiences, from the managerial to technically focused.

You will look to gain a broad introduction to the subject area allowing for the acquisition of skills and experience across a range of occupational sectors at Level 4. The programme builds upon core skills effectively, preparing you for further subject specialisation at Level 5.

You will aim to gain a wide range of sector knowledge that is tied to practical skills gained in research, self-study, directed study and workplace scenarios, preparing you for employment or further study.

In order to progress onto Year 2/HND you must have achieved at least 90 credits at Level 4 before progressing to Level 5 units. This allows you to submit the remaining 30 credits at Level 4 while continuing with your Level 5 study.

Modules

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing – Cyber Security offers you a specialist pathway designed to support progression to relevant occupational areas or degree-level study. You will develop a sound understanding of the principles in this field of study and how to apply these more widely.

Learning to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems, perform effectively in your chosen field and have the qualities necessary for employment in situations that require the exercise of personal responsibility.

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

Teaching contact hours

For each level
Total qualification time = 1,200 hours.
Total guided learning hours = 480 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.

Full Time (FT) mode is designed for students who wish to study 120 credits (4 modules) in one academic year, Monday to Friday.
Weekday attendance is normally a four hour period either of a morning between 9am-1pm or in the afternoon from 1:30pm-5:30pm.

The four hour length of teaching sessions allows for teaching to be presented in various ways including team teaching, group discussions, individual presentations, laboratories, interactive teaching and guest lecturers. The aim of each session is to have a balance between students learning academic, practical and professional skills.

The course is taught in 6-week blocks and can be offered:

  • 4 blocks will lead to a HNC (120 credits at level 4)
  • 8 blocks will lead to an HND (240 credits at levels 4 and 5).

Each one of the learning blocks (modules) is worth 30 credits; these will require the equivalent of 300 study hours. The modules run over a six-week period and are taught consecutively, with assessments at the end of week 3 and week 6. If students wish to attend every day, they will receive 18 hours of teaching per week with tutorials, totalling 120 hours. The remaining 180 hours will be self-guided.

For an HNC award a student must have passed or been credited with all the Mandatory modules at level 4 (120 credits).

For an HND award a student must have passed or been credited with all the Mandatory modules at levels 4 and 5 (240 credits).

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.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will make use of formative and summative work to both develop and assess students. The Coventry University Group assessment strategy assures 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.

What we're looking for
80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

At CU Group we are committed to recognising achievements in the context of which they were achieved as we understand that barriers may make it more challenging for some applicants to achieve course entry requirements.

We aim to reduce the barriers that may be preventing access to higher education by looking beyond the grades that applicants have achieved or expect to achieve.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £7,950 per year Not available
EU Not available Not available

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.


Facilities

Our aim is to offer sector-leading facilities4.


Careers and opportunities

Our Talent Team will help you in searching for work experience while you study and employment on graduation.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Further study

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many computing-related courses. Within CU Group you could progress onto Level 6 in:

 


How to apply