Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A023
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Develop the skills to design and secure complex information systems.
- Learn to respond appropriately to security incidents by gathering evidence.
- Understand the legal and regulatory environment around complex information systems.
- Study the principles employed in cyber security and digital forensics.
- Use the latest digital forensics software and technologies employed in industry.
- Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start
You will study fundamental cyber security topics, including principles of security, computing, architecture and networking, databases, and programming. You’ll also gain industry certifications such as the Cellebrite Certified Operator (CCO) certification and the Nuix Workstation Forensics Practitioner Foundations and Core certifications.
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Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
How you learn
The course is suitable if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security with Forensics course. You share the first year with other computing foundation year students, then move on to the degree. During the first year of study, you will enhance your skills to maximise your academic potential ready to start your learning against the content of the main degree.
You’ll start by developing strong practical skills in cyber security through lectures and hands-on tutorial sessions. These sessions will build your understanding of how and when to use appropriate processes, tools, technologies, and management practices in areas including network fundamentals, cryptography, and information security.
You will develop these skills further on real-world projects – collaborating in small teams to produce deliverables inspired by industry. These projects will further your knowledge in areas such as system vulnerabilities, detect network intrusions, and analysing and interpreting digital evidence collected from computers and mobile devices. Previous students have worked with the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit to develop security demos.
During your final year, you will create a significant cyber security deliverable, guided by a dedicated project supervisor. As part of this individual project, you will undertake research and apply new skills while you create a solution to a complex cyber security and forensics problem. The course team offers guidance and support throughout this process.
The course encourages you to take an active approach to learning and self-development to develop highly sought-after cyber security skills through problem-solving activities, practical implementation and teamwork. You learn through
- lectures
- hands-on lab sessions and tutorials
- regular feedback
- teamwork and group-based learning
- practice-based applied learning
- discussions
- self-study
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. These include
- access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
- access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long work placement between your third and fourth year. A placement is widely recognised as the gold standard opportunity to gain personal and professional development through real-world experience.
You will be encouraged to take up this opportunity, as it will benefit your long-term career prospects and salary level, as well as your academic achievements and degree classification. Your course will prepare you to succeed in your placement and you will be supported throughout it.
Your placement will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills gained on your course, in areas such as digital forensics, information security, and network intrusion detection.
Students from this course have worked with companies such as
- 3Squared
- The BBC
- CYFOR
- HSBC
- Next
- Sainsbury’s
- Satisnet
- Sec-1
- Yorkshire & Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit
Your placement year will allow you to gain an Applied Professional Diploma in addition to your degree which will enhance your graduate profile and give you the edge with future employers.
You’ll also be supported to take advantage of work experience opportunities throughout your course, through access to a range of support activities, resources, and employer events from your Employability Team. This will further enhance your employability skillset, confidence, and opportunity-awareness to help you succeed in your career after graduating.
Live projects
During each year of your course, you’ll be applying your learning using industry projects. These will challenge you to solve real-world cyber security problems while developing team and project management skills. This is great preparation for the world of work, all in a supportive learning environment.
We work in partnership with the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), a non-profit organisation. NEBRC aims to help protect regional businesses from cybercrime and employs our students to deliver specialist services during their studies. The NEBRC was established in 2019 – funded by a variety of private and public partners including the police, as well as a wide range of business investors and members across England.
Networking opportunities
We’re a member of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) Academic Partner Programme. The CIISec is the only information and cyber security institution to have been granted Royal Charter status. This means you’ll be able to develop contacts within the cyber security community. You’ll have access to world-class speakers and the opportunity to network with prospective employers.
The Check Point SecureAcademy program at Sheffield Hallam University gives you free access to additional industry-recognised training platforms, hands-on experience with real-world tools, and the opportunity to work towards further certifications in cyber security. The program covers cutting-edge content in cloud security, network security, and security automation, aligning skills with industry demands.
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
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Computing facilities tour
Take a look around the facilities and equipment in the Department of Computing at Sheffield Hallam University.
Equipment and facilities
On this course you’ll have access to specialist security and forensics labs and work with:
- our state-of-the-art internetworking labs
- Cisco switching
- routing and security devices
- virtualised desktops and servers
- intrusion detection systems
- penetration testing applications
- the latest specialist software – including Encase, Magnet Axiom and IEF, FTK, X-Ways, Nuix, Cellebrite Physical Analyzer, UFED Touch 2 and UFED 4PC.
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core
- 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 English Literature at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
• 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.
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying the subject.
Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.
UK students may be able to claim financial support for the course.
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.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Foundations In Computing 1
Foundations In Computing 2
Maths For Foundation Computing
Study Skills For Computing Students
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Computer Systems And Networks
Introduction To Cyber Security, Maths And Cryptography
Professionalism And Employability
Software Development
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Database Administration And Security
Digital Forensics Incident Response
Project Based Learning
Secure Network Services And Administration
Elective modules
Study Abroad - Computing And Digital Technologies
Year 4
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advanced Cyber Forensics
Information Security Management
Project (Cyber Security And Networks)
Elective modules
Blockchain And Iot Security
Data Storage
Offensive Forensics
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for School of Computing and Digital Technologies (PDF, 131.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
