School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity with Sandwich placement

BSc (Hons) Sandwich 4 years

BSc Cyber Security aims to give students a fundamental understanding of how to protect organisations, networks, IT systems and individuals against cyber attacks and cyber threats.

BSc Cyber Security aims to give students a fundamental understanding of how to protect organisations, networks, IT systems and individuals against cyber attacks and cyber threats.

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
I163
Course specifications
Course length
Sandwich (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

BSc Cyber Security aims to give students a fundamental understanding of how to protect organisations, networks, IT systems and individuals against Cyber attacks and Cyber threats. This course covers all the main topic areas required by the British Computing Society for an accredited Cyber Security degree, and includes understanding of Cyber threats and attacks, and the criminal sub-culture which is increasingly profiting from those attacks, how to manage information and the risks to that information, practical approaches to implementing physical and process controls to reduce information threats, and the design of secure systems and products which will enable businesses to withstand Cyber attacks.

The course also includes aspects of Cryptography and Forensic Computing, and students will have the opportunity to engage with the latest software and forensic approaches. Several staff at The University of Wolverhampton are engaged in Cyber security research and work closely with industry to ensure that the course will produce graduates who have the skills which industry needs. Employment in the area of Cyber security is predicted to increase five fold in the next two years, and there is already a severe shortage of trained graduates who are able to work in this area. Therefore, the likelihood of gaining well-paid employment at the end of your degree is extremely high. 

 

Many of our academics are actively engaged in research and belong to one of our dedicated research institutes, including the Digital Innovations and Solution Centre (DISC), ensuring teaching is informed by the latest discoveries.

What's unique about this course?

  • Hands-on cyber defence projects using industry-standard security tools
  • Real-world attack and defence simulations in controlled lab environments
  • Opportunities to specialise in areas such as Cyber Threat Intelligence, Digital Forensics, Secure Networks, and Ethical Hacking
  • Strong focus on analytical thinking, threat detection, and problem-solving
  • Exposure to modern security challenges including cloud, web, and network security
  • Learn how organisations protect systems, data, and critical infrastructure

What happens on the course?

Year One

Your areas of study during year one will include the fundamentals of Cyber Security, Information Management and security in organisations, Computer Programming and problem-solving, and Computer networks and operations. By the end of year one, you will have good technical awareness and an understanding of the main issues associated with Cyber Security.

Year Two

In the second year, you will cover subjects in more depth and gain more practical experience of using technology to support Cyber security in a variety of ways. This will include using specialist software, investigation of human factors which affect our security, looking at the management of risk, gaining a technical understanding of Computer and security architecture, and understanding how data is stored and used in organisations  You will also have the opportunity to study forensic computing, using industry-standard software and tools.

Year Three

In your third year, you will further develop and apply knowledge and experience of  a range of different applications and  various technologies, techniques, tools and methods in relation to Cyber Security. You will continue to work with forensic computing techniques, and will extend your knowledge of database technologies. You will also gain experience of ethical hacking and advanced networking. Information Management and Governance and the protection of Information Systems is also covered this year. Themes covered in this year will influence and support your final year project module, and you will have the option to engage with industry to work on a real-life project.

Optional Placement Year

The University of Wolverhampton is keen to ensure graduates have both the academic and work based skills required in industry. Graduates have the option of a placement in industry between levels two and three. This results in a four year degree which allows graduates to be awarded a BSc (Hons) Cyber Security with sandwich.

The university has state-of-the-art teaching facilities and computing labs, and students will experience a variety of learning environments, including practical labs, classroom teaching, visits to industry partners, and more formal lectures. We have a fully-equipped network and security lab, and students will have the opportunity to engage in simulated hacking activities, build networks, and use forensic software, and cloud computing and database technologies.

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement. Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Monitor and defend IT systems against cyber threats. Responsibilities include threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability assessment to protect organisations from attacks such as phishing, malware, and ransomware.

Simulate cyber attacks on systems, networks, or applications to identify weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them. You may work in-house or for a specialist security consultancy.

Work within a Security Operations Centre, monitoring real-time threats and responding to security incidents. This is often an entry point into cyber defence roles in both public and private sector organisations.

Design and implement secure network solutions to protect data and systems. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and secure VPNs, as well as ensuring regulatory compliance (e.g. GDPR, ISO 27001).

Help organisations manage cyber risk and meet legal, regulatory, and industry standards. This role often involves auditing, policy development, and advising on security best practices.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The course team have excellent links with industry and staff working in the field of Cyber Security, and are undertaking some exciting and interesting research which means that teaching is relevant and up-to-date. The teaching on the course is outstanding, with all teaching staff possessing or in the process of gaining a relevant teaching qualification, and we are fully committed to ensuring you have an excellent student experience. We have developed excellent specialist facilities to support our students, and have recently invested in extensive hardware and software to support the Cyber Security course, which means that students have the opportunity to gain practical skills which are highly valued in industry. 

We encourage our students to be really involved in their course and University life, and have several clubs and activities which are largely student-led, such as the Code Club, and the Computer Games Society.

We also continue to invest in world-leading facilities including our £9 million cyber centre. Our Midlands Quarter – Centre for Cyber Security is a bespoke Cyber & Security ecosystem, which blends industry and innovation with academic excellence and expertise.The centre is a joint venture between the University of Wolverhampton and Herefordshire Council. The 2,000 square metre building will provide significant resources for research and development across three cyber laboratories, advanced training facilities as part of the University’s Wolverhampton Cyber Research Institute and additional business space for up to 16 cyber companies.

The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security degree provides graduates with the full range of skills which the government recognises as essential for Cyber Security personnel. A fundamental understanding of Cyber and Information Security and associated technologies, an ability to manage security within organisations, and technical skills which support security are all outcomes of the degree. Close links and the opportunity to work with industry means that graduates will also have a good level of business awareness.

The University of Wolverhampton Cyber Security course also gives students extensive opportunities to develop excellent transferable skills, such as problem solving, communication skills, project management skills, the ability to work effectively in teams and individually, and self-management and the ability to gather, evaluate and reflect on information. 

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Year
Home Sandwich £9535 per year 2025-26
Home Sandwich £9790 per year 2026-27
International Sandwich £15995 per year 2025-26
International Sandwich £17600 per year 2026-27

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

  • 96 UCAS points
  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grade MMM
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of C in Core.

 

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Students must usually have studied for a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, we will consider applications from mature students who do not have two years of post-16 study, where they have relevant work experience. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.

International entry requirements and application guidance can be found at http://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/apply

English language requirements also apply

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

Order a prospectus

How we compare

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

Sandwich Course