As computing technology becomes more integral to our homes, workplaces and public services, cybercrime is increasingly widespread and dangerous. With our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security, you’ll be part of the solution as you learn to investigate breaches and harness secure systems.

You’ll specialise in identifying different cyber security attacks and mitigation techniques, detecting and responding to network-based intrusions, ethical hacking and testing approaches, and applied cryptography. And because other people’s private data is involved, you’ll also explore the legal and ethical implications and how they relate to cyber security.

Throughout our cyber security degree, you’ll also gain a broad understanding of core computing subjects, such as programming, mathematics for computing, databases, networks and operating systems. Extensive group work will develop your ability to think logically and use your initiative to critically analyse problems. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a set of skills that are in high demand in our technology-led world, across both the public and private sectors.

Placement options

The four-year placement route provides the opportunity to go on a placement for at least 36 weeks, where you’ll get a taste of professional life. A placement not only gives you the opportunity to develop your core skills and experience, but also shows employers that you’re ready to get to work. We offer a wide range of services to help you find the right placement, including employer presentations, advice and fairs. But it’s also up to you – the more proactive you are about applying for placements, the better. This is subject to national lockdown restrictions.

Our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers in a fast-growing industry. You’ll be ideally placed to apply for jobs such as cyber/IT security analyst or digital forensic investigator. Broader jobs in computing include software developer, systems analyst and architect, IT manager and technician as well as roles managing technology to support a range of public and private sector organisations.

In addition, the skills you learn on our cyber security degree are highly valued by a range of employers and opportunities may exist in areas such as project management, e-commerce, scientific research, education and many more.

Manchester is a major hub for the digital technology industry. The close proximity of MediaCityUK and a large number of both established companies and innovative tech start-ups means that the opportunities for technological collaboration are huge. Situated in the 'Oxford Road Corridor' innovation district of Manchester, the University and the Department of Computing and Mathematics are perfectly placed to work with key players in the digital technology and new media sectors.