Start date:
Course information
Typical offer ABB
UCAS codes GG49, GG48, GG47
Institute code L34
Taught by School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
24-hour access to state of the art labs.
Course description
Course description
Cybersecurity is an area of computing that specialises in protecting data, networks and systems from digital attacks.
Today’s increasing reliance on technology in an interconnected world calls us to a greater protection of data and information systems. Many businesses, organisations and government agencies view the protection of online services as vital for their economic, educational and social growth. This feeds into a greater emphasis on the role of cybersecurity in society.
This course builds on strong computing foundations to provide expertise on how to prevent, protect and manage cyber-attacks, including AI attacks. You will learn how to build secure software, carry out penetration testing and apply cryptographic techniques to secure information.
Relying on a blend of theory and practical applications, this course will provide you with opportunities to keep up with new developments in cyber threats and defence mechanisms, consider the ethics and impact of decision-making processes related to security, and develop relevant skills for a successful career within the area of cybersecurity.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: ABB. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level. General Studies accepted.
- EPQ with A-levels: BBB + EPQ at grade B.
- GCSE: Grade 5/B in Maths.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass relevant diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30. Minimum of 4 in HL Maths, or 5 in SL Maths, or 6 in Maths Studies required if grade 5/B not held at GCSE.
- BTEC Nationals: Extended Diploma with D*D*D*. BTEC must be in IT, Science or Engineering.
- T Levels: Distinction in either: Digital Production, Design and Development (with an Occupational Specialism in Software development technician), or Digital Business Services.
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Flexible entry requirements
We welcome applications from motivated students whose predicted grades are slightly below our standard entry requirements. We understand that predicted grades are not always an accurate reflection of your final results, and we’re happy to consider your application. Although we can’t guarantee an offer due to the high volume of applications, if you’re eligible, we may still offer you a place based on our standard requirements.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2026
Tuition fees for 2026/27 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2025/26 were:
- £9,535 in your first year. Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX)
- Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,430 for that year
- Year in Industry: your fee will be £1,905 for that year
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2026
- £25,100 per year
- Year Abroad: £6,275, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
- Year in Industry: £3,765, which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Career support is embedded throughout the programme, with opportunities to develop professional and collaborative skills through our Personal and Professional Development (PDD) modules. You will also have the opportunity to receive guidance on career planning, CV building, job applications and interview techniques from the University’s Career and Employability Service.
Graduates from this course will have career opportunities in a range of fields. Examples of these include:
- Cyber-security analyst
- Cyber-crime investigator
- Penetration tester
- Security engineer
- Cyber-security consultant
- IT security manager
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
Modules
Semester 1
Semester 2
- Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
- Software Lifecycle and Quality
- Algorithms, Data Structures and Advanced Programming
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year 2
Year 2
Modules
Semester 1
- Operating Systems and Networks
- Databases and Domain Modelling
- Information Security Fundamentals
- Software Architecture and System Development 1
Semester 2
Core modules
- Software Architecture and System Development 2
- Secure Software Development
Optional modules
- Data Analytics
- Foundations of Computation
- User Interfaces Design and Evaluation
- Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
If you want to, you can spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in three years.
Year Abroad
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
Year in Industry
An industrial placement is normally a paid company position, more than offsetting the additional cost of the extra year. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a working environment. You must apply for your placement yourself, but we will help you with the process.
During your placement you will be visited by a member of staff; when you return to the University you may give a presentation of your work experience. You will be provided with a log book to document your placement and will write a final report detailing your work, which will be assessed as part of your degree.
We provide excellent careers support, and our Industrial Advisory Board assists us in keeping our degrees fit for industrial needs. A year in industry is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the type of profession that you can choose after you graduate, and can also point you towards postgraduate studies that may help you strengthen the profile that you have identified for your career.
Your placement effectively begins in year two when you will be briefed in writing a CV, interview techniques and the procedures that you need to follow to obtain a placement. In addition, a list of potential industrial partners who have taken students in past years will normally be provided.
A year in industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Final year
Final year
Modules
Semester 1
Core modules
- Computers, Society and Professionalism
- Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
Optional modules
- Mobile and Web Applications
- C++ Programming
- Internet and Cloud Computing
- AI Security, Ethics, and Management
- Data Science and Visualisation
- Advanced Artificial Intelligence
- Software Measurement and Quality Assurance
Semester 2
Core modules
Optional modules
- Analysis and Design of Algorithms
- Technology Management
- Functional Programming
- AI for Space
- Deep Learning and Computer Vision
- Generative Development
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Why Leicester
You will be trained in simulating real-life cyberattacks and defences on systems and networks, ensuring you graduate with practical skills that employers will immediately value.
We have a thriving Computer Science Society, which runs exciting events such as hackathons, guest lectures and social meetups.
Cybersecurity is linked with cloud computing, digital twins, distributed systems and AI. We have strong research expertise in these areas.
You will have 24-hour access to general-purpose laboratories, containing fully-networked Windows/Linux dual-boot PCs, and wireless access for laptops.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
Teaching includes lectures and lab classes together with tutorials and small group student support hours. We use a wide range of assessment methods, including class tests, assignments, exams, mini-projects, group projects, reports, presentations and portfolios.
Assessment
Your final year project will focus on cybersecurity, where you will be guided by an academic expert and will use a range of algorithms, tools, and techniques to solve a substantial cybersecurity problem. This project will enable you to develop a wide range of transferable skills such as problem solving, communication and critical thinking.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Attendance | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Computer Science with Cyber Security | Qualification BSc | Duration 3 years | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code GG49 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Computer Science with Cyber Security with Year in Industry | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code GG48 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Computer Science with Cyber Security with Year Abroad | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code GG47 | Availability How to apply |
