MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
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BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) (with a Placement Year)
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is a robust four-year undergraduate degree specifically designed to cultivate highly skilled cybersecurity professionals. This program offers a strong foundation in core computer science principles, complemented by an in-depth exploration of advanced cybersecurity topics, including network security, cryptography, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. A distinctive and integral component is the compulsory year-long industrial placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. This placement provides invaluable real-world experience, fostering practical skills and crucial commercial awareness within the cybersecurity sector. The curriculum prioritises hands-on assessments such as projects, portfolios, and computer-based tests over traditional written exams, mirroring industry practices and significantly enhancing graduate employability in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) (with a Placement Year) is structured to provide a comprehensive and progressive learning journey. The first year establishes foundational computing skills with modules like Computer Systems and Networks, Mathematics for Computer Science, Programming Principles and Techniques, Database Systems, Object-Oriented Programming, 1 and Web Design and Development. In the second year, students delve into core cybersecurity concepts and advanced computing topics, including Data Structures and Algorithms, Network Security and Cryptography, Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing, Data Analysis, and a vital Team Project where students develop software solutions. The third year is dedicated entirely to the compulsory industrial placement, offering a critical opportunity to apply learned skills and gain professional exposure within a cybersecurity or broader computing environment. The final academic year culminates in an Individual Project, allowing for specialised research or development in cybersecurity, alongside modules such as Software Testing and Quality Assurance, Cybercrime and Digital Forensics, Advanced Topics in Computer Science, and the Internet of Things, ensuring students are equipped with cutting-edge cybersecurity knowledge and practical application.
Research Focus: While the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) (with a Placement Year) is fundamentally a practical undergraduate program, its curriculum at St. Mary's University is continuously informed by current research and ongoing developments within the cybersecurity and broader computer science fields. The academic staff, many with significant industry experience, integrate the latest insights in areas such as network security, advanced cryptography, incident response, and ethical hacking methodologies into their teaching. Students are consistently engaged in developing strong analytical, problem-solving, and research capabilities throughout the program, particularly through various practical projects, capture-the-flag events, and their culminating final-year individual project. This project often involves addressing real-world cybersecurity challenges, enabling students to engage in applied research and develop solutions with tangible impact in this critical sector.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University, designed to ensure graduates are highly employable and possess relevant, real-world skills. The compulsory year-long industrial placement is a pivotal feature, providing students with unparalleled hands-on experience within the cybersecurity sector or the wider computing industry. Beyond the placement, the program actively fosters connections with the tech industry through various initiatives, including engaging guest lectures from leading industry professionals, participation in practical workshops, hackathons, and cybersecurity meetups, and opportunities for field trips to prominent tech organisations. The curriculum also includes a second-year team project where students develop software solutions for real clients, providing direct exposure to industry practices and client demands. The university's advantageous London location further provides exceptional networking opportunities and potential career pathways with diverse industry partners.
Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University integrates a crucial global perspective, preparing graduates to address the inherently international nature of cyber threats and the worldwide demand for cybersecurity expertise. The curriculum explores universal cybersecurity principles, international standards, and cross-border cybercrime, acknowledging that digital security transcends national boundaries and legal jurisdictions. Students gain an understanding of the ethical implications of cybersecurity practices in a global context and the challenges of securing data and systems across diverse regulatory environments and cultural landscapes. The program's emphasis on industry-aligned skills, reinforced by the compulsory placement year, ensures that the expertise developed is highly relevant and transferable across international markets. Moreover, the placement can expose students to multinational corporations or international projects, fostering an understanding of diverse working cultures and cross-cultural collaboration in the global fight against cybercrime.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17100
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security) (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, provides graduates with a robust blend of foundational computer science knowledge and highly specialised skills in cybersecurity. This degree prepares individuals to protect digital assets and infrastructure from evolving threats, leveraging an understanding of network security, cryptography, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. The invaluable year-long industrial placement significantly enhances practical experience and commercial awareness, ensuring graduates are not only academically proficient but also possess the professional maturity highly valued by employers. Graduates from this program are exceptionally well-equipped to enter a wide range of critical and high-demand roles within the cybersecurity sector.
Cybersecurity Analyst: Graduates are well-prepared to monitor networks and systems for security breaches, investigate incidents, and implement security measures to protect an organisation's data and infrastructure. Their understanding of network security, threat detection, and incident response, honed during their placement, is paramount.
Ethical Hacker / Penetration Tester: These professionals simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and applications before malicious actors can exploit them. The program's modules in ethical hacking and penetration testing, coupled with practical experience from the placement year, provide direct training for this crucial preventative role.
Digital Forensics Investigator: Graduates can work to uncover and analyse digital evidence for legal cases or incident response. Their expertise in cybercrime and digital forensics, learned through the curriculum and applied during their placement, allows them to trace digital footprints and reconstruct security incidents.
Information Security Officer/Manager: With experience in managing security policies, procedures, and compliance, often gained during their placement, graduates can oversee an organisation's overall information security posture. Their understanding of security frameworks and risk management is vital for this leadership-oriented role.
Security Software Developer: Combining their computer science programming skills with cybersecurity knowledge, graduates can develop secure software applications and tools, or integrate security features into existing systems. The placement year provides practical experience in secure coding and software development lifecycles.
Network Security Engineer: These specialists design, implement, and maintain secure network infrastructures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and VPNs. The program's focus on computer systems and networks, coupled with cybersecurity principles and hands-on experience, is essential for this engineering role.
Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst: Working in a SOC, graduates monitor security alerts, investigate potential threats, and respond to security incidents in real-time. Their analytical skills, understanding of security information and event management (SIEM) tools, and practical incident response experience from their placement make them key players.
Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst: Graduates can specialise in collecting, analysing, and disseminating information about cyber threats to anticipate and mitigate attacks. Their understanding of cyber warfare, threat actors, and intelligence gathering techniques, enhanced by real-world exposure, is crucial for this role.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst: These professionals ensure that an organisation's cybersecurity practices comply with industry regulations, legal requirements, and internal policies. The program equips them with the knowledge to conduct risk assessments, develop compliance frameworks, and manage security governance effectively, often a key area during a placement.
Cloud Security Engineer: As more organisations migrate to cloud environments, graduates with knowledge of cloud platforms, network security, and secure architecture principles are in high demand to design, implement, and maintain secure cloud infrastructures. The placement year can provide valuable exposure to cloud technologies in a business setting.
