BSc (Hons) Cyber Security Technical Professional Apprenticeship
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Course Summary
The UK faces a potentially crippling shortage of cyber security professionals, threatening businesses in the UK. More than two thirds of companies are already struggling to recruit the levels of staff necessary to defend against major attacks.
The global shortfall of security experts is expected to increase 20% to 1.8m by 2022, according to industry association ISC Squared. Almost half of British businesses say that the skills shortage has a "significant impact" on their customers and has caused breaches of their computer systems.
The UK Government has warned that cyber criminals are increasingly targeting the country and its critical infrastructure. (source: The Telegraph Technology section, 14 Feb 2017)
This course seeks to address the chronic shortage of suitably qualified cyber security specialists and, at the same, prepare you for a fulfilling and varied career in the field of cyber security.
In your first year, you will cover the fundamentals of computing and information systems including programming, computer systems and networks and web technologies.
In your second year, you will study a range of specialised modules including database systems, operating systems, cyber security and network engineering. You will also complete a short placement. In the final year, your time will be divided between advanced level security and networking modules.
You will also undertake a project, the contents of which will focus on cyber security issues. On completion of your degree, you will have the opportunity to continue your studies in the area of cyber security by enrolling on our MSc Information Security and Digital Forensics course.
This proposed programme combines two key areas of computing, cyber security and networks, in a synergistic manner. To be able to work in a cyber security environment, practitioners need a solid grasp of networking principles and practices since it is these networks which form the primary avenue of attack.
A solid grasp of networking principles and practices will not only improve the cyber security specialist's understanding of attacks and attackers but will also facilitate his/her selection, installation and configuration of effective security tools.
This programme will share all modules that make up the cyber security analyst specialism of the degree apprenticeship, BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions with one additional module from the existing BSc Cyber Security and Networks programme.
What makes this course different
Highly practical
We offer a highly practical work based course that will prepare you for a career in computing.
Academy status
We have Academy status with industry leaders Microsoft and CompTIA, so your UEL qualification has added credibility.
Approved apprenticeship standard
Digital and Technology Solutions apprenticeship degrees are based upon the Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship standard, approved by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The apprenticeship standard was developed by a group of major companies including Fujitsu, Hewlett Packard, IBM, BT, Ford, Network Rail and Lloyds Banking Group.
How you'll learn
An essential part of all apprenticeship degrees such as the BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions is learning on the job. Typically you will spend 80% of your time working and the remaining 20% studying at UEL but this course is delivered in such a way that enables students to directly apply and develop the skills and knowledge gained on-campus in their working environment.
Learning on the job is however a two-way process and hence the experiences gained in the work place can be related to the academic content of the degree, producing a synergistic approach to learning.
As a UEL student, you will have access to a wide range of teaching and learning facilities including lecture and seminar rooms, a well-resourced library and a number of specialist labs.
These labs support a wide range of subjects including networking, network security and digital forensics, operating systems, programming, database and web development.
We also make extensive use of Moodle, a virtual learning environment, to give extra support to students and enable easy communication between students and staff.
Your future career
This course is specifically designed for students who are already in or will shortly begin employment within the IT sector.
Students will be selected for this apprenticeship degree by their (prospective) employer and will be given, as part of the course, the opportunity to specialise in one of six areas; software engineering, IT consultancy, business analysis, data analysis, cyber security analysis or network engineering.
Upon completion of this course, you will continue to develop your specialist knowledge and skills within your employer's organisation.
This qualification also lends itself to postgraduate study and research if you so desire.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.