Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per 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?
A093
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
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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.
Course summary
- Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.
- Learn about aspects of cyber security including penetration testing, systems and network vulnerability assessment and mitigation, ethical hacking, network intrusion detection analysis and prevention.
- Develop your knowledge in web security, mobile device security and management of security policies.
- Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start
Upon completing the foundation year, you progress to a degree that is accredited by the British Computer Society and accordingly includes a number of topics fundamental to all computing studies, including principles of security, computing, architecture and networking, databases and programming.
How you learn
The course is suitable if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security 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 will develop a range of skills through problem solving activities, practical implementations and teamwork, allowing you to take an active approach to learning and encouraging self-development.
Assessments are varied, including reports, presentations, demonstrations, discussions and online activities.
You learn through
- lectures
- seminars
- practical tutorial sessions
In the foundation year, you’ll build on your existing knowledge and experience — developing useful academic, computing and IT skills in preparation for undergraduate study. You’ll benefit from innovative course content that allows you to access and use cutting-edge technology. Throughout, you’ll reflect on your progress, and build valuable communication and interpersonal skills.
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Work placements
In your fourth year, you can take a one-year paid work placement. Work placements offer you valuable experience, and an enjoyable opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills.
Organisations need experienced staff, and a placement will give you the experience you need to add to your CV to secure a desirable security-related position in a competitive job market. We help you to gain a placement and support you through the application process.
During the placement, you will be mentored by a member of academic staff, who will visit you at your place of work. Previous students have worked at organisations including
- Cisco
- Citrix
- 3Squared
- Next
- Servelec Group
- Hewlett-Packard Ltd
- IBM Ltd
Networking opportunities
You will have the opportunity to talk with a number of exciting companies, both those that specialise in the area of cyber security, and others that understand that keeping their system secure is vital to a thriving industry.
In the past we have invited Citrix, Cisco, PwC, Sec-1 and other individual consultants in the cyber security industry to talk.
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
Employers regularly visit us to recruit our graduates and contribute to our teaching.
Companies that have recruited BSc (Honours) Cyber Security graduates include:
- Cisco
- Citrix
- 3Squared
- Next
- Servelec Group
- Hewlett-Packard
- IBM
- Sec-1
- Info-Assure
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 work with
- specialist computing hardware, tools and applications
- well-equipped security, forensics and network labs furnished with switches, routers, security appliances, virtualised desktops and servers, configurable wireless access points and direct ADSL internet links
- Kali Linux, which can be used for penetration testing and vulnerability assessment against Windows server and client systems hardened against attacks
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
Ethical Hacking And Intrusion Detection
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 Penetration Testing And Information Security Management
Enterprise Applications 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 (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. 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.
