Computer Science with Cyber Security (MSci (Hons))

This degree prepares students for a successful career in technical areas of computer science and information security by developing skills in analysis, design and programming and specialisms in cyber security.

Who is it for?

This degree is suitable for students who are looking for a successful career in technical computing,  with interests in the various roles directly and indirectly connected to the world of computer, network and information security.

You should be motivated to understand how computer systems are built and excited by the rapid pace of change in the field.

There is an ever-growing need for sharp, code-literate, motivated graduates in an industrial sector that makes a multi-billion pound contribution to the UK economy.

Objectives

The degree focuses on how software and programming work, together with specialist content in computer security.  The course will prepare you for a successful career in the techincal areas of computer science and informatio security by developing skills in analysis, design and programming as well as specialisms in cyber security.

Starting with  core foundational skills, such as programming, the course progresses to cover a range of computing topics with a focus on practical application, while maintaining a strong theoretical underpinning.

During the course you will become ethical hackers as you are challenged to identify flaws in computing devices and networks; to cryptanalyse classical and modern ciphers; and to trace attacks while auditing systems.

Accreditation

The course is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and students will have fulfilled the academic requirements for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status and for Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Chartered Scientist (CSci) registration.

Requirements and how to apply

Entry requirements

Typical offers require one of the following:

• 'A' Level
  • ABB (Computer Science, Mathematics or Physics preferred)
• Tariff:
  • 128 UCAS tariff points.
• BTEC:
  • D*DD (IT/numerate subjects only)
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ):
  • We welcome applications that include the EPQ. Where relevant, this may be included in our offer, resulting in an 'A' Level offer reduced by one grade.
• IB:
  • 32 points total including all Higher Level subjects at grade 6.
• Mixed qualifications:
  • We do accept applications from students who are completing a combination of qualifications. For this course, this would be something like: D* in IT with a grade B in 'A' Level Computer Science and a grade B in another 'A' Level. We may also take 'AS' Level grades into consideration.

In addition, the following is required:

• A minimum of grade 4 (C) in GCSE English, a minimum of grade 6 (B) in GCSE Mathematics.

Other suitable qualifications

• Access to Higher Education will be considered when combined with substantial work or other experience.
• Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.

INTO City, University of London

INTO City, University of London offers an International Foundation programme in Computer Science. This course offers a route to City, University of London through an excellent teaching and learning experience located in purpose-built study facilities. Successful completion of the International Foundation programme at INTO City, University of London to the standard required provides guaranteed progression to this degree.

Kaplan International College (KIC) London

City works in partnership with KIC London to provide a range of preparatory courses for international students. KIC London courses offer comprehensive support to students - including regular one-to-one tuition. Students who successfully complete the KIC London Foundation course at the required level have a guaranteed progression route to City, University of London degree courses.

English requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 overall, to include 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.
• PTE Academic: 58 overall with a minimum of 50 in each component.

English language programmes

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner, INTO City, University of London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

• Academic English
• Pre-sessional English

Visa requirements

If you are not from the European Economic Area / Switzerland and you are coming to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study.

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:

• Students on courses of more than six months
• Students on courses of less than six months
• Students on a pre-sessional English language course.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you cannot undertake any City courses on a part-time basis.

For more information see our main Visa page.

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

www.ucas.com

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £23 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £12.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2018 should arrive at UCAS between 1st September 2016 and 15th January 2018. Applications that arrive after 15th January 2018 will be considered only at City's discretion.

When your application is acknowledged by UCAS, you will be sent a personal identification number so that you can access your records via Track on the UCAS website.

Enquiries

For general enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office:

Email: ugadmissions@city.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com
Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ
Telephone: from inside the UK 0871 468 0468; from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468
For callers with hearing difficulties: from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468; from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Teaching and learning

You will learn through a combination of lectures, case studies, seminars and laboratory sessions.  Project and group work aim to develop problem-solving and play a major part in the course. Learning is also supported by the online e-learning system.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose.

The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2016/17 entry is as follows:

Year 1

49% written, 0% practical, 51% coursework

Year 2

35% written, 0% practical, 65% coursework

Year 3

51% written, 0% practical, 49% coursework

Year 4

36% written, 0% practical, 64% coursework.

Assessment weightings by year

Type%Year 10Year 220Year 340Year 440Year 4

• Year 1: 0%
• Year 2: 20%
• Year 3: 40%
• Year 4: 40%

Modules

City's MSci (Hons) Computer Science with Cyber Security degree teaches you how software and programming works before giving you the opportunity to study specialist modules based on the Department's research expertise in cyber security demonstrating how computing can be used to solve real-world problems.

Starting with core foundational skills, such as programming, the course progresses to cover a range of computing topics with an emphasis on professional
application, while maintaining a strong theoretical underpinning. Later years specialise in cyber security and enable students to focus on topics ranging from cybercrime and security governance to cryptography and digital forensics, while also engaging with academics in a large individual project to develop scientific knowledge and skills. The course provides the professional skills essential to modern working.

This programme aims to prepare you with the knowledge, skills and values needed for a technical career as computer scientist and cyber security specialist by

• equipping you with the computer scientist's core skills in programming, software engineering, databases and mathematics;
• equipping you with a breadth of knowledge, skills and techniques needed as a professional in cyber security;
• developing your knowledge in specialised and advanced topics in information security;
• developing your practical problem solving capabilities in applying your technical skills;
• enabling you to work with and learn from active researchers in computer science and cyber security;
• enabling you to critically evaluate the technical, social and management dimensions of information security technologies.

Year 1

All Computer Science courses at City share a common first year. Students can select their final degree course at the end of the first year.

Core modules:

• Computation and reasoning
• Mathematics for computing
• Software engineering
• Systems architecture
• Programming in Java
• Business systems.

Year 2

In year two, students take a further seven core modules, including a team project:

Core modules:

• Programming in C++
• Networks and operating systems
• Objected-orientated analysis and design
• Language processors
• Data-structures and algorithms
• Team project
• Professional development in IT.

Progression from year two to year three is subject to satisfactory performance.

Year 3

In year three, students take three core modules and five electives, mixing Computer Science with specialist
Cyber Security modules.

Core modules:

• Information security management
• Network security
• Digital forensics.

Elective modules:

• Theory of computation
• Functional programming
• Artificial intelligence
• e-Commerce
• Computer graphics
• Socio-technical systems and security
• Software reliability and measurement

Year 4

Alongside specialist core modules and elective modules, you will undertake a large individual project researching and developing systems in an area of your own specialist interest.

Core modules include:

• Cryptography
• Security auditing and certification
• Readings in computer science

Elective modules include:

• Advanced database technologies
• Digital signal processing
• Software agents

Download the relevant programme specification

Overall workload

Contact hours will take the form of taught modules which are delivered through a series of 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of tutorials/laboratory sessions. You are expected to undertake independent study, including substantial coursework assignments for each module, amounting approximately to 120 hours per module.

Approximate study time based on 2016/17 entry is as follows:

Year 1

20% scheduled learning, 80% independent learning, 0% placement

Year 2

18% scheduled learning, 82% independent learning, 0% placement

Year 3

21% scheduled learning, 79% independent learning, 0% placement

Year 4

22% scheduled learning, 78% independent learning, 0% placement.

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