BSc (Hons) Computer Networks & Security

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Students should have completed their secondary education with a minimum overall percentage of 60% or above in a relevant qualification equivalent to the UK's General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or A-levels.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6, with no individual component score below 5.5.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80, with with no band less than 10.
• PTE: A minimum overall score of 61, with no individual score below 59.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.

Scholarships for International Students at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan):

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship awarded to high-achieving international students. This scholarship provides a significant tuition fee reduction for the duration of the student's program. The selection is based on academic merit, and applicants are automatically considered when they apply for a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate program at UCLan.

International Excellence Scholarship: The International Excellence Scholarship is aimed at international students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. This scholarship offers a tuition fee reduction for the first year of study and is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The selection criteria include academic achievements, personal statements, and references.

Country-Specific Scholarships: UCLan offers scholarships specifically tailored to students from certain countries or regions. These scholarships aim to promote cultural diversity and encourage international students from specific regions to study at UCLan. The eligibility criteria and award amounts vary depending on the specific scholarship.

Sports Scholarships: UCLan recognizes the achievements of talented student athletes and offers sports scholarships to support their academic and sporting pursuits. These scholarships are available for international students who demonstrate outstanding sporting ability and academic potential. The scholarships provide financial support, mentoring, and access to sports facilities and training programs.

Alumni Loyalty Discount: UCLan values its alumni and offers a tuition fee discount to international students who have previously completed a full degree program at UCLan and wish to pursue further studies at the university. The discount is applied to the tuition fees of eligible postgraduate programs.

External Scholarships and Funding: In addition to the scholarships offered by UCLan, international students can also explore external scholarship opportunities and funding options. Various organizations, foundations, and governments provide scholarships for international students studying in the UK. UCLan's International Office can provide guidance and information on external scholarship opportunities.

It is important to note that the availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines for scholarships may vary each year.

The BSc (Hons) Computer Networks & Security program at UCLan prepares graduates for diverse and in-demand careers in the field of network engineering and cybersecurity. Graduates emerge with specialized skills in network design, security management, and incident response, making them valuable assets to organizations seeking to protect their digital assets and infrastructure.

1. Network Administrator: Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Computer Networks & Security program often pursue careers as network administrators. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks within organizations. Tasks include configuring routers, switches, firewalls, and ensuring network performance and security.

2. Cybersecurity Analyst: With a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles, graduates can work as cybersecurity analysts, monitoring networks for security breaches, investigating incidents, and implementing security measures to protect against cyber threats. They may specialize in areas like threat detection, vulnerability assessment, or incident response.

3. Information Security Consultant: Graduates may work as information security consultants, advising organizations on best practices for securing their IT infrastructure and data. They assess security risks, develop security policies, conduct audits, and recommend solutions to enhance cybersecurity posture.

4. Network Security Engineer: Network security engineers focus on implementing security measures to protect network infrastructure from unauthorized access, malware, and other cyber threats. They design and deploy security systems such as firewalls, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS).

5. Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker): Some graduates become penetration testers or ethical hackers, employed to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in network systems as part of security assessments. They conduct controlled attacks to assess the resilience of network defenses and recommend remediation measures.

6. Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst: Graduates can work in Security Operations Centers (SOCs), monitoring network activity for security incidents and responding to alerts in real-time. SOC analysts play a crucial role in maintaining the security posture of organizations.

7. Network Engineer: Graduates with expertise in computer networks may pursue roles as network engineers, responsible for planning, implementing, and optimizing network infrastructure. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure network reliability and performance.

8. IT Auditor: Some graduates specialize in IT auditing, evaluating the effectiveness of IT controls and security measures within organizations. They assess compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements related to network and information security.

9. Cloud Security Specialist: With the increasing adoption of cloud computing, graduates may specialize in cloud security, focusing on securing data and applications hosted in cloud environments. They implement cloud security controls and monitor cloud-based infrastructure for security risks.

10. Forensic Analyst: Graduates interested in digital forensics can pursue careers as forensic analysts, investigating cybercrimes, analyzing digital evidence, and providing expert testimony in legal proceedings.

11. Researcher/Academic: Some graduates choose to pursue postgraduate studies or research positions in academia, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in computer networks, cybersecurity, and information technology.