Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security

This course aims to provide you with a strong practical and theoretical understanding of cybersecurity, hacking, digital forensics, security operations and the underlying associated computer science.

The course is designed to help you develop skills in the following areas.
• Understanding who ‘hackers’ typically are, the techniques they use to break into systems and the way we defend against them.
• Learning how to examine computers and networks for digital artefacts, and how these can be used in a legal case, or as part of incident response.
• Understanding how the network infrastructure connects systems, and the impact on security.

Key Course Benefits

• Join a thriving community of ethical hackers with opportunities to participate in societies and live ‘hackathon’ type events*
• Previous graduates have gone on to become security consultants, security engineers, penetration testers and other sector-specific roles.
• Practical, hands-on approach to teaching, where you have the chance to demonstrate the theoretical aspects of the course through real-world examples
• Dedicated specialised learning environment - the Ethical Hacking Lab**

*UK and international opportunities 
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

** Facilities 
Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

Year One

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules
Cyber Security Fundamentals
Introduction to Programming
Networking and Computer Architectures
Information Security Management
Ethics and Legal Frameworks of Cyber Security professionals
Foundations of Computer Science

Year Two
In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:

Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen

Placement Year
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee* of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Final Year
Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor and your Academic Personal Tutor.

Modules
Advanced Penetration Testing
Digital Security Risk and Audit Management
Applied Cryptography
Research Project Preparation
Research Project Delivery
Optional Modules (choose one of the following):

• Reverse Engineering and Exploit Development
• Secure Network Design and Management
• Advanced Digital and Network Forensics

Additional Year
The additional fourth year master's option will deepen your knowledge and expertise.

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content. For full module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website.

*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website