Computer Security (with Foundation Year)

This is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the degree course. Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence, before you advance to stage one of your honours degree.

Often called Cyber Security, this degree in Computer Security explores the technologies and practices designed to protect networks, computers and data from attack or unauthorised access. Cyber security is a growing field in virtually every industry sector, and organisations of all kinds and sizes need to defend themselves from hacking, attacks and data breaches. You can expect industry led course content to prepare you for this which covers the key principles that underpin Computer Security; offensive security, defensive security and information security governance.

Through lectures, tutorials, technical labs and real-world case studies, you will learn how attacks work, the likely threats and vulnerabilities, and the approaches used by attackers. A new, fully equipped Cisco cyber security lab will help you put theory into practice with industry standard toolkits. You’ll learn how to conduct penetration testing and vulnerability analysis in business organisations to develop secure systems.

You will have the opportunity to join student led societies such Capture the Flag (CTF) and Women in Cyber Security (WiCyS) where competitions, support and the sharing of relevant opportunities are championed. Industry and professional partnerships with organisations such as NCSC Cyber First scheme, Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales, Thales (NDEC), Airbus, and Charmwood Risk Management strengthen the programme and offer you valuable networking opportunities.

Course modules are integrated with professional certification contents such as Cisco Networking (CCNA) and Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) as well as integrated with training for ISO27001 Internal Audit to provide you with cutting-edge knowledge. Therefore, it’s no surprise that our graduates have gone on to secure roles and placements within well-established organisations such as Admiral, South Wales Police, and Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales.

This course was the first bachelor’s degree in Wales to be awarded provisional certification by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Cardiff Met is also an Academic Partner of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) and a CREST approved academy. This will provide an opportunity for students to qualify as a Student Member of the CIISec and start their journey to chartered information security professional status.

We offer this programme with two study options. You can choose four years full-time or five years full-time which would include a one-year professional placement before your final year that will give you hands-on experience in a real-life working environment. This year in industry would give you the practical skills that many employers seek, giving you a competitive edge upon graduation.