Ethical Hacking

Study Ethical Hacking and graduate as an accomplished, in-demand professional. Abertay is right at the forefront of cybersecurity teaching, producing highly skilled professionals.

Security is embedded in everything you’ll do on this practical degree.

This vocational degree gives you a rigorous understanding of cybercrime and the technical skills needed to stop hackers. You’ll learn to protect data and information systems, combining computer networking with digital forensics and programming.

Become a cybersecurity professional

• Understand the processes behind hacking and cyber attacks.

• Work out how illegal hacks can be stopped.

• Create real-life countermeasures and fixes.

• Shut down security hacks quickly.

• Communicate your plans effectively and professionally.

• Document it and start again.

Along the way you’ll develop key life-long skills like independent and logical thinking, research expertise, and the confidence to communicate clearly.

Our graduates usually find jobs easily, with many headhunted before they have even graduated. Why not apply now and join them?

Ethical Hacking BSc (Hons) - the benefits are clear:

• One of the leading cybersecurity courses in Europe.

• A strong hands-on and technical education.

• The first Ethical Hacking degree in the world.

• Great industry links and recruitment opportunities.

• High employment rate on graduation.

• Excellent starting salaries.

Internships and industry projects

Our Ethical Hacking students often get high-quality internships in 2nd-3rd year and 3rd-4th year. This is earlier than most other degrees due to the specialist four year curriculum. Third year students also work in teams on a client brief/project developed by external companies. This means in term one you prepare a proposal, then in term two you deliver the finished project. You'll be guided by academic staff who meet with teams once a week to monitor workload and progress.

Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education

Abertay University was among the first eight UK universities awarded Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education recognition by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – part of GCHQ.

We're recognised as a leader in Scotland in successfully preparing students for employment in the cyber security domain. Our Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education offers opportunities through our teaching and research and knowledge exchange activities for students, staff and graduates to excel in cyber security and to have a positive impact on the world around us.

Year 1 core modules (subject to change over time) - CMP101 Computer Hardware Architecture & Operating Systems; CMP109 Computer Networking 1; CMP104 Programming with C++; CMP110 Introduction to Security; CMP102 Software Design.

You will also be required to select one elective module. For detailed module information please check our website.

Acquisition of knowledge is facilitated and fostered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, practicals, directed reading and student-centred learning. The majority of modules make use of online learning resources. Case studies are used to illustrate real world examples and to provide an opportunity for critical analysis and evaluation. Cognitive skills are consistently promoted and developed by means of lectures, tutorial directed reading, seminars and student-centred learning. Within practical exercises, students are expected to evaluate their own work to ensure that products not only work, but are also fit for purpose. Assessments are designed to develop and assess the achievement of the level of performance expected at each level. Knowledge and understanding is assessed using projects, reports, portfolios and practical assessments. Only approximately 20% of the programme is assessed by examination.