Course summary

Prepare for a career in cyber security by designing security systems, identifying evidence of cybercrimes and acting as detectives in a digital world.

UCAS points

• 112-120

This must include at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:

• BBC-BBB at A Level
• DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma
• Merit overall from a T level qualification
• A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4
• Maths at grade C or 4

GCSE equivalents

• Level 2 Literacy or Functional Skills Level 2 English
• Level 2 Numeracy or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

• cyber security analysis
• digital forensics consultancy
• security consultancy
• information security analysis
• information security
• incident response analysis

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for dedicated security and forensics companies, law enforcement agencies and large-scale businesses and industries such as

• 3Squared
• Cisco
• Citrix
• CYFOR
• Exponential-e
• F-Secure
• G-Research
• Hewlett-Packard
• HSBC
• IBM
• Info-Assure
• Intaforensics
• NextGen Security
• Sec-1
• Serious Fraud Office
• Servelec Group
• Sky
• South Yorkshire Police
• West Yorkshire Police

Apply for an undergraduate degree course

How to apply for a foundation, top-up or bachelors degree

For undergraduate degrees, UK applicants need to apply through UCAS, the University and College Admissions Service.

Undergraduate degrees include:

• Foundation degrees (FdA, FdEng, FdSc)
• Top-up degrees (BA, BSc, BENG, LLB)
• Bachelors degrees (BA, BSc, BENG, LLB)

Applications open in September for courses starting in October the following year.

International applicants

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply direct or through UCAS. To apply direct, please use the online application form.

Getting started with UCAS

The first step is to register in the UCAS Hub and start a new application. You can save your application as you go, so you can complete a little bit at a time if you want to.

We recommend reading UCAS's guide to filling in the application form.

Your statement and references

As part of your UCAS application, you'll need to write a personal statement. You might also need to give names and contact details for people who can give you a reference.

If you're not sure where to start, try our guides to writing a good statement and choosing the right referees.

Assessing your application

Our admissions tutors will:

• check the subjects you're studying
• check your grades
• read your personal statement
• read the references we've received.

Depending on your course and application, we might also:

• invite you an interview
• invite you to submit a portfolio.

If you are invited to one of these, we'll send you everything you need to know. But if you'd like to know more now, you can read our guides to preparing for an interview and preparing a portfolio.

Application decision

After assessing your application, we will contact you with a decision. We usually start to make offers from November through to March, depending on when you applied.