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BSc (Hons)

Computer Networks & Security

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Undergraduate Open Day

Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2023

UCAS Code

G611

Delivery

Campus Taught

Foundation entry

Our Computer Networks & Security course will prepare you for a successful career in this rapidly changing industry.

Thanks to new ideas, applications, security threats and constantly evolving technology, computer networks and security is a fascinating area to work in. On this practice-based course you’ll get to explore the latest developments in wired and wireless computer networking and security, underpinned by relevant theory.

Supported by teaching in purpose-built laboratories, you’ll use specialist software to develop your networking and security skills. We also cover core computing skills and legal, ethical and commercial issues, giving you a breadth of knowledge and experience, which will prepare you to thrive in the computing industry.

The skills you’ll gain on this course will be in high demand in tomorrow’s world. The cyber security sector is facing a significant skills gap at a time when threats and the legal and commercial consequences of inadequate security are increasing. Emerging areas such as the Internet of Things and Smart Cities offer new opportunities for us all, but also new vulnerabilities to accidental or malicious actions.

Why study with us

Start your course with our exciting ‘4 Week Challenge’, where first year students work as teams to design and develop a new app and then create a marketing campaign to promote it.
This course has accreditation leading to MBCS, CITP and partial CEng exemption from the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, which is the computing professional body.
You’ll get to undertake a placement in industry after your second year. Most are based in the UK, but there are international opportunities as well.

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Discover our Computer Science courses

What you'll do

This course has three strands. The first, Technical, will develop the core computing skills you’ll need as a networking and security specialist.
The second, Network and Security Specific, looks at topologies, protocols, hardware devices, security and network management.
The third, Project Management, will develop your communication skills, give you experience of overseeing projects, and explore legal, social, ethical and commercial issues.

Module overview

Course delivery

Following the pandemic, we have found that some courses benefit from a blended learning and teaching approach. Therefore, the majority of your teaching will be face-to-face on campus aside from a small amount of online teaching where we have learnt it works best.

95%Face-to-face

5%Online

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Join us on campus

Book a place at our Undergraduate Open Day on Saturday 17 June. Here you'll be able to explore our campus and facilities, meet academic staff and chat to students.

Book your place

View the course facilities

You can take a one-year industrial placement during your studies. Most placements are UK-based, but opportunities exist for global placements.

Learn more

Accreditations

The BCS are the professional body for computing and provide recognition for professionals in the IT industry. This course has accreditation leading to BCS Professional Member (MBCS), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) and partial CEng exemption from the BCS.

Future careers

This innovative course enables you to work as a security consultant, network designer or a network manager. You can also achieve Cisco accreditation and develop a wide range of transferable skills including project management, group working and communications. These will open doors to other graduate careers and a high earning potential.

Fees and funding

2022/23

Full-time£9250 per year

Sandwich year£1000 for the sandwich year

Part-time£1540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£14250 per year

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Sandwich year£1,385 for the sandwich year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£14,900 per year

Sandwich year£2,000 for the sandwich year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

The first modules on this course are common to all students studying Computing courses in the School. It gives you the opportunity to switch to the specialist route that’s right for you.

You’ll focus on acquiring basic skills through small laboratory exercises which will give you the essential computing skills you need to succeed on this course.

Throughout the course, you’ll solve real networking problems based on the Cisco curriculum and work towards boosting your skills and employment prospects by completing the Cisco accreditation. You’ll complete the taught aspect of this qualification as part of this course. You then have the option of taking the exam at a test centre (a fee applies).

Everyday learning on this course will involve investigating, analysing and discussing networks and security issues, implementing an troubleshooting networks, researching relevant literature and evaluating network management tools and techniques.

You’ll frequently get to work in groups with other students, where you’ll be challenged to discuss, defend and evaluate ideas, and you’ll take part in a team-based network development project.

During your time with us you’ll attend a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions. Independent study is an important aspect of this course.

We emphasise practical-based learning using purpose-built laboratories and the University's general computer rooms. Our laboratories allow you to use specialist software and do things normally forbidden on a public network: for example, configuring networks or database servers, testing system security, exploring the performance of a network under excessive workloads, and using sophisticated software to monitor protocols. You will configure and examine wired and wireless networks. Where possible, we make software available for use on your own PC.

The course is assessed using individual coursework assignments, group work, presentations and exams. There is a practical emphasis, with the main contribution to your degree classification coming from coursework. In your final year you’ll complete an individual project.