BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics* programme at The British College is being run in partnership with the University of the West of England and is one of our highest-ranking degrees for graduate employment.
This exciting course gives you the opportunity to play an important role in helping businesses to manage cyber-attacks and investigate digital evidence. No organisation is immune to cybercrime, and so IT security has become a top priority and highly skilled security professionals are in high demand.
Furthermore, there is currently a skills shortage within the field, meaning organisations often approach students from this course, and most are in employment within six months of graduating.
Once you have graduated you will be qualified to enter into a range of careers in the private or public sector, in a variety of roles including working for in-house forensics, e-discovery, security teams, legal practices, and the police force.
Why study cybersecurity and digital forensics?
- Cybercrime is on the rise and set to keep increasing as technology becomes more widespread.
- High-level security breaches have led to governments, public services, and corporations dedicating more resources to computer security.
- Digital forensics provides a wealth of material for law enforcement, leading to the UK government highlighting an urgent need for skilled graduates within forensic computing.
- Cybersecurity professionals are responsible for protecting IT infrastructure, edge devices, networks, and data - and further preventing data breaches by monitoring and reacting to attacks.
- As you are trained throughout the course you will acquire skills in maths, statistics, research and critical thinking, to prepare you for roles as programmers, systems or network administrators, and IT security professionals.
- Our mix of traditional and creative learning environments will enable you to gain essential knowledge and real-world skills, to prepare you for your future career.
Accredited Body
This course is accredited by the Engineering Council* and the British Computer Society.
*The Engineering Council is the UK regulatory body for the engineering profession. They hold the national registers of over 222,000 Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Information and Communications Technology Technicians (ICTTech).
Awarded by:
The University of the West of England
Associate Dean:
Arun Joshi
Programme Leader:
Rohit Pandey
Download Programme Brochure (PDF)
Key Facts
- UK standard teaching rooms (See 3D Tour)
- State-of-the-art computer labs (Open access Computer lab, Computer forensic & security lab)
- Highly qualified teachers and engineers
- Modern library with access to international course books, journals and other printed material
- Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
- A subscription to Microsoft's Developer Network (MSDN)
- Access to career counselling and employers through work visits, seminars and other activities.
- Opportunities to gain professional and leadership skills.
- Indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
- Gymnasium
Career Path
- Choose from careers in either the government or the public or private sector.
- Roles can be within forensics and security teams, legal practices, or the police and related organisations.
After completing the BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at The British College, you will be qualified to embark on a range of careers, including:
- Cryptographer
- Information Security Officer
- Penetration Tester
- Security Architect
- Incident Responder
- Security Auditor
- Vulnerability Assessor
Entry Requirements
Foundation Entry
- 10+2/CBSE or equivalent 55% and above aggregate score
- A Level - Minimum 3.5 credits with 3 full credits
University Entry
- Overall 75% & above with a minimum of 70% in English (or an IELTS score of 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band).
The degree programme is comprised of a one-year Foundation Year provided by University of West of England (UWE) followed by a three-year degree validated by Leeds Beckett University.
What is Year 0 or Level 3?
Year 0 in The British College is a Foundation Year that is designed to help students progress into BSc (Hons) Cyber Security & Digital Forensics degree. The aim of this year is to: assist students adapt to the UK style of learning, improve students' English ability, and introduce the necessary skills required for higher education.
TBC-UWE International Foundation Programme* (Year 0/L3)
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Academic English & Effective Communication | 15 credits | Academic English and Effective Communication | 15 credits |
Mathematics for Computing | 15 credits | Internet Technologies | 15 credits |
Introduction to Programming | 15 credits | Fundamentals of Multimedia | 15 credits |
Computer Fundamentals and Network | 15 credits | Fundamentals of Data Science | 15 credits |
*The International Foundation Programme is awarded by University of the West of England (UWE, Bristol).
Level 4: TBC - UWE Pathway Programme (Year 1/L4)
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Computer and Network Systems | 30 credits | Introduction to Databases | 30 credits |
Computer Crime and Digital Evidence | 30 credits | Programming in C++ | 30 credits |
Level 5: TBC - UWE Programme (Year 2/L5)
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Law, Experts and Justice | 30 credits | Secure Computer Networks | 30 credits |
Operating Systems | 15 credits | Security and Forensic Tools | 30 credits |
Internet of Things (Optional) | 15 credits | ||
Secured Embedded Systems (Optional) | 15 credits |
Level 6: TBC - UWE Programme (Year 3/L6)
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Forensic Computing Practice | 15 credits | Cryptography | 15 credits |
Security Management in Practice | 15 credits | Entrepreneurial Skills | 15 credits |
Security Data Analytics and Visualisations | 15 credits | Digital System Project (Optional) | 30 credits |
Professional Development | 15 credits | Information System Dissertation (Optional) | 30 credits |
Note: Academic English and Effective Communication is a double credit module that will be studied in both semesters.
Learning Activities and Assessment Method
Approximate percentage of time students spend in different learning activities*:
Year |
Scheduled learning and Teaching Study |
Independent Study |
Placement Study |
1 |
31% |
69% |
0% |
2 |
25% |
75% |
0% |
3 |
17% |
83% |
0% |
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*
Year |
Written Exam |
Coursework Assessment |
Practical Assessment |
1 |
12% |
58% |
30% |
2 |
28% |
59% |
13% |
3 |
36% |
49% |
15% |