BSc Cyber Security with Foundation Year
About this course
BSc (Hons) Cyber Security with Foundation Year, an undergraduate cyber security degree incorporating a compulsory initial foundation year. Core topics include Programming, Computer Architecture, Data Analysis, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The course includes an optional placement year and an optional year abroad. The preliminary year focuses on foundational mathematical and technical concepts through Preliminary Mathematics, Scholarship for Technologists, Technology Project, Introduction to Computational Mathematics, and Programming Fundamentals. The first year establishes core computing principles via Logic and Discrete Mathematics, Foundations of Computer and IT Systems, Fundamentals of Networks and Security, Computer Systems, Data Structures, and Data Management, Programming, and Scripting and web technologies. The second year progresses into specialised software and security topics through Software engineering, Data driven systems, Ethical Hacking, Communication and security protocols, Legal, Ethical and Sustainability Issues, and Team Project. The final year covers advanced security concepts with Artificial intelligence for security, Security architectures and future trends, Security management, and an Individual Project, alongside optional modules such as Abstract interaction methodologies, Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and Modelling and evaluating emerging technologies.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
What students say
Based on about 26 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 77%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 67%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 68%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 60%
- Left higher education: 40%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 25%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 25%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 100%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 175 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 48%
- West Midlands: 16%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 3%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional Practice
- Preliminary Mathematics
- Scholarship for Technologists
- Technology Project
- Introduction to Computational Mathematics
- Programming Fundamentals
- Logic and Discrete Mathematics
- Foundations of Computer and IT Systems
- Fundamentals of Networks and Security
- Computer Systems, Data Structures, and Data Management
- Programming
- Scripting and web technologies
- Software engineering
- Data driven systems
- Ethical Hacking
- Communication and security protocols
- Legal, Ethical and Sustainability Issues
- Team Project
- Artificial intelligence for security
- Security architectures and future trends
- Security management
- Individual Project
- Abstract interaction methodologies
- Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- Modelling and evaluating emerging technologies
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Cyber Security with Foundation Year at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £43,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Software engineering.
What do graduates of BSc Cyber Security with Foundation Year at University of Derby do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Cyber Security with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
77% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Cyber Security with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 105 UCAS points.
Does BSc Cyber Security with Foundation Year at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Cyber Security with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
60% of students continued into their second year, and 40% left higher education.