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Cyber Security with Foundation Year

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Derby

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change.

Join a new generation of cyber security professionals. You’ll learn how to manage security incidents and ensure systems are robust, all underpinned by vital experience in industry.

KEY FEATURES OF THIS COURSE

  • FACILITIES: Use cutting-edge software development tools in our industry-standard labs. Our Cyber Security lab contains a set-up used for investigating digital crime alongside a range of software.

  • PLACEMENT YEAR: Take an optional industrial placement year which will stand you in good stead for securing a rewarding job on graduation.

  • EMPLOYABILITY: Security is a vital requirement of computer-based systems. As the number of security-related incidents continues to grow, so does the demand for expertise in cyber security.

  • FLEXIBILITY: Benefit from the option to transfer to another degree in our Computing portfolio after your first year.

  • ** NO EXAMS!**: We’ll assess you via other methods through your degree.

HOW YOU WILL LEARN
Instead of exams, a variety of assessment methods are used. Some modules are assessed through coursework only, others by a combination of:

  • Coursework

  • Portfolios

  • Assignments

  • Case studies

  • Oral and graphic presentations

  • Collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork projects

  • Computer-based testing

YOUR CAREER
There is significant demand for skills in developing, maintaining and securing computer systems, as well as on the engineering side of security protocol development and research.

This degree delivers comprehensive training and equips you with the personal attributes you need for a variety of careers within the cyber security field.

STUDY OPTIONS
This course is also available without a Foundation Year option.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
I20F
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

University of Derby has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
I20F
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff 72 points

We encourage you to outline all your qualifications and achievements in your application to provide us a full picture. Your offer will typically be based on your predicted and/or achieved grades from full level 3 qualifications or above e.g. A levels, BTEC Ext Diploma, Access to HE, etc. Any subject specifics are outlined below in the Further Information section, and these specifics are applicable across all equivalent qualifications. A strong application/performance and appropriate experience will be taken into account where typical criteria is not met.

A level DDD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MMP

Access to HE Diploma D: 0 credits M: 30 credits P: 15 credits

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification

T Level P

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test(SELT)at CEFR level B2 or above

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We have excluded the Grades on Entry data for this course. We may operate some flexibility with entry grades to support widening participation, though most of the students that enrol on this course achieve the published entry tariff or above. Applicants who achieve grades below the published tariff may be offered an alternative course or a 4-year route if there is one available. For further information please contact askadmissions@derby.ac.uk.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The quoted fee is an indicative fee based on last year’s fees, as the fees for the 2026 term not yet been confirmed.

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