top of page
Introduction
Why choose this course?
Key features
 DMU has been named a gold standard ‘Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education’ by the leading authority on cyber security in the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - part of GCHQ. DMU is the first university in the East Midlands to achieve this prestigious status.
 This course is taught by experts from DMU’s Cyber Technology Institute, which boasts an international reputation in computer security and digital forensics, influencing the approach taken by the UK government and leading organisations.
 Study modules on cryptography, penetration testing and professionalism in forensics and security.
 Gain valuable industry experience by taking a one-year placement. Previous Cyber Security students have undertaken placements with Boeing Defence, GCHQ, Jaguar Land Rover and Virgin Media in roles such as Cyber Security Analyst, Technology and Innovation Intern and Product Engineer.
 Benefit from specialist forensic and security laboratories, fitted with customised PCs configured with multiple operating systems, virtualisation and removable hard drives.
 Our DMU Global programme offers students the opportunity to have a valuable international experience as part of their studies. Cyber Security students recently gained insights into San Francisco’s tech industry, while others put their skills to the test at New York’s Spyscape museum.
 DMU has been recognised for conducting world-leading cyber security research, having been named the East Midlands’ first ‘Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research’.
 Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.
Overview
Technology and computer systems are becoming ever more integrated with our day-to-day lives, meaning the protection of all the data and information they contain is paramount.
With many organisations and businesses now considering the protection of online information a critical business issue, there’s an increased focus and demand on the role of cyber security.
The specialist techniques taught as part of this course will help prepare you for a career in a rapidly growing industry which is currently faced with a shortage of skills.
Our graduates have progressed into careers in industry, government and law enforcement, as security analysts, penetration testers, forensic investigators and cyber security engineers, at organisations such as Deloitte, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), Airbus, and Rolls-Royce.
Modules
Year 1
Block 1: Foundation of Computing and Cyber Security
This module introduces you to the professional context of computer science, software engineering, cyber security, and digital forensics. It introduces mathematical structures that provide a basis for computer science and cyber security to prepare students with the necessary skills in this domain. Students gain skills to learn the concepts of computer science cyber security. In this module the students will learn the mathematical foundation of computing such as logic and boolean algebra, set theory, probability and statistics, relations, functions, and modular arithmetic.
Lecture: 24 hours
Seminar: 48 hours
Self-directed study: 156 hours
Consolidation: 40 hours
Revision: 30 hours
Assessment: 2 hours
Total: 300 hours
Block 2: Endpoint Security
Designed to provide a foundation in computer ethics, computer architecture and operating systems with a specific emphasis on their security. It will introduce the ethical theories affecting information systems, information security, software engineering, computer science and digital forensics. It requires students to develop critical analytical skills in applying ethical theories to technological outcomes regarding information systems, information security, software engineering, computer science and digital forensics.
Learning and teaching activity hours for the module:
Lecture: 36 hours
Practical: 48 hours
Workshop: 10 hours
Self-directed study: 100 hours
Consolidation: 36 hours
Revision: 30 hours
Assessment: 40 hours
Total: 300 hours
Block 3: Secure Coding
This module covers introduction to secure and object-oriented programming using C++. The programming concepts covered in this module are fundamental in almost any other programming language. Students initially learn about the fundamental problem-solving skills using algorithms and basic programming concepts that enable them to create, edit, compile, execute and test computer programs, then about applying key syntax rules for variables, expressions, statements, arrays, and functions in C++.
This module also covers developing/building trusted and reliable software to meet user's requirements including, e.g., naming conventions, initialisation of variables, variable scope and lifetime, validation of input, bound checking, string manipulation and reliability. Students learn about the latest security standards to understand the best practises for writing a software.
Practical: 48 hours
Lecture / Large Group: 24 hours
Reading - suggested reading is part of seminar work: 50 hours
Reflection: 50 hours
Revision: 40 hours
Consolidation: 88 hours
Total: 300 hours
Block 4: Business Infrastructure and Security
This module covers the theory and practice underpinning the foundations of modern networked information systems. Awareness of these principles and concepts is essential for individuals working in Cyber Security, to allow them to secure the systems that organisations depend upon. Topics introduced allow consideration for the opportunities to secure these systems, and the role these systems play in a wider context.
Learning and teaching activity hours for the module: 
Lecture: 24 hours 
Seminar: 48 hours 
Self-directed study: 156 hours 
Consolidation: 40 hours 
Revision: 30 hours 
Assessment: 2 hours 
Year 2
Block 1: Secure Scripting and Business Applications
This module covers the fundamentals of database design and implementation as well as the ethical and legal responsibilities associated with storing data. The module also considers how secure scripting techniques can address unauthorised access to stored data through poor business application design and implementation.
Practical: 60 hours
Lecture / Large Group: 40 hours
Self-directed Study (including coursework report): 99 hours
Reflection: 60 hours
Revision: 40 hours
Assessment: 1 hour
Total: 300 hours
Block 2: Incident Response and Cyber Threat Intelligence
This module covers incident response and cyber threat intelligence principles, industry standards as well as frameworks, tools and techniques. The students will learn about the essential preparations before an incident occurs, incident response life cycle stages, and appropriate approaches to incident handling. Organisational departments dealing with incidents, their structure and functions will be considered. The students will also be able to understand modern security operations.
Student hours per module:
Practical: 56 hours
Lecture / Large Group: 44 hours
Reading: 100 hours
Reflection: 60 hours
Revision: 40 hours
Block 3: Penetration Testing
This module shows students how to think like a hacker, how to probe systems for exploitable vulnerabilities and to report findings for implementing mitigation strategies. From social engineering and physical attacks to client-side and server-side attacks, students will replicate the same Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) that a malicious hacker would use, whilst being compliant with current ethics, law and regulations. In this module students will learn how to perform reconnaissance on a target, how to identify possible victims and how to enumerate their services, how to gain access, how to escalate an individual’s privileges and how to create a final penetration test report.
Lecture: 20 hours
Practical: 60 hours
Self-directed reflection: 20 hours
Self-directed reading: 20 hours
Self-directed online learning: 80 hours
Self-directed revision: 40 hours
Assessment: 60 hours
Block 4: Industrial Cryptography
Cryptography constitutes today a fundamental and ingrained part of the security of all modern communication. Everything from web browsing, email, and telephony, to messaging apps, data storage and video conferencing, is today secured by cryptographic techniques.
This module will introduce the central principles, methods, and definitions of cryptography, as well as presenting some of the most important applications and implementations. Modern cryptography is concerned with an enormous variety of scenarios where the involved parties do not fully trust each other such as internet banking, electronic voting, integrity of data, security of computer networks, and many more.
Learning and teaching activity hours for the module:
Lecture: 24 hours
Seminar: 48 hours
Self-directed study: 137 hours
Consolidation: 40 hours
Revision: 30 hours
Assessment: 21 hours
Year 3
Block 1: Malware and Attacker Techniques
This module provides students with practical skills of investigating malware in accordance with best practice, using industry standard tools and techniques whilst adhering to professional code of ethics and legal requirements. Students learn the fundamentals of assembly language and apply it to malware reverse engineering and malware de-armouring. They will also gain an in-depth understanding of malware behaviour and evasive techniques as well as malware strategies employed by Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actors.
Learning and teaching activity hours for the module:
Lecture: 28 hours
Practical labs: 42 hours
Self-directed study: 140 hours
Consolidation: 35 hours
Revision: 20 hours
Assessment: 35 hours
Block 2: Cyber Physical Systems Security
Cyber Physical Systems are ubiquitous to the modern way of life, controlling or impacting all Critical National Infrastructure sectors identified by the UK government, such as Water, Power and Telecommunications. Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) integrate physical processes, computing, and communication to monitor and control mission-critical applications.
This module will be delivered in seven-week block mode with the following estimated teaching and learning activity hours:
Lecture: 24 hours
Practical/Lab: 48 hours
Self-directed study: 141 hours
Consolidation: 45 hours
Assessment: 42 hours
Block 3 / 4: Final Project
The project provides students with the opportunity to carry out a significant piece of work that reflects the aims and outcomes of their specific programme. It provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate practical and analytical skills present in their programme of study; to work innovatively and creatively; to synthesise information, ideas, and practices to provide a quality solution, together with an evaluation of that solution. The project should meet some real need in a wider context.
Lecture: 6
Supervisor meetings: 5
Self-study: 289
Optional Modules (choose one):
Block 3 / 4: Cyber Security and Social Responsibility
Cyber Security professionals are often tasked with ensuring an organisation meets legal and regulatory standards when handling data. This module allows for consideration of, and brings awareness to moral and ethical aspects that may be encountered when building computing systems or processing data.
Note that the expected methods of delivery below assumes delivery over two blocks while students take on another module at the same time, such as the final year project.
Lecture: 30 hours
Reading: 45 hours
Self-directed study: 100 hours
Review: 22 hours
Consolidation: 50 hours
Collaborative activity: 50 hours
Assessment: 3 hours
Block 3 / 4: Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Security
The application of AI algorithms to the domain of cyber security has gained a lot of momentum in the last few years, especially with the proliferation of Deep Neural Network architectures and applications. In this module, the application of AI to cyber security will be examined in detail. Students will be trained on how to collect, pre-process, and analyse cyber security datasets. Students will gain fundamental knowledge about AI algorithms, including statistical machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks, and how such algorithms are applied to cyber security applications. State-of-the-art tools and software libraries will be used to apply taught concepts to train and evaluate different AI models to develop cyber security solutions.
Lecture: 24 hours
Practical/Lab: 56 hours
Assessment: 60 hours
Reading: 100 hours
Reflection: 60 hours
Block 3 / 4: Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime Investigation
This module will guide students through the Digital Forensics Incident Response (DFIR) life cycle in traditional and/or enterprise crime scenes involving digital devices such as computers/laptops/mobile devices/networks and the associated legal and ethical considerations and requirements.
Students will use a combination of proprietary and open-source forensic tools to collect and analyse digital evidence in a forensically sound manner whilst completing the appropriate and necessary paperwork, prior to presenting their findings for a given audience.
Lectures: 24 hours
Staffed Labs: 48 hours
Unstaffed Labs: 24 hours
Self-directed study: 140 hours
Collaboration: 24 hours
Assessment: 40 hours
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry criteria
A typical offer is 104 UCAS points from at least two A-levels or equivalent or BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM, plus:
 Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics or equivalent.
Alternative qualifications include:
 Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE. English and Mathematics GCSE required as a separate qualification as equivalency is not accepted within the Access qualification.
We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course or
 International Baccalaureate: 26+ points or
 T Levels Merit
Portfolio Required: No
Interview Required: No
We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.
Contextual offer
To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find our more about contextual offers.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.
English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Teaching and assessment
The course is part of DMU’s Cyber Security Centre, which influences the government and corporations in their approach to cyber security. This shapes the curriculum so that you learn what is important. It also grants you privileged access to career opportunities.
You may be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, laboratory sessions, practical sessions and self-directed study. Assessment and how assessments are weighted is varied across modules. Our assessment practices reflect the best practices in teaching methods deployed by academic members of staff each year. Indicative assessment weighting and assessment type per module are shown as part of the module information. Again, these are based on the current academic session and are subject to change.
Teaching contact hours
This is a full-time course. Each module is worth 30 credits. Outside of your normal timetabled hours you will be expected to conduct independent study each week to complete preparation tasks, assessments and research.
Self-directed study: In order to prepare for, and assimilate, the work in lectures and seminars you will be expected to use our on-line resources, participate in flipped or virtual classroom discussions on our virtual learning environment (VLE) and engage in personal study and revision for approximately 25 hours per week.
Career Opportunities
Graduate careers
This programme has been developed to help give students the skills needed for careers in the cyber security industry.
Graduates have excellent opportunities to pursue careers in industry, government, or law enforcement in roles such as a security analyst, penetration tester, forensic investigator, or cyber security engineer. Previous graduates from our cyber security programmes have gone on to work for organisations such as Deloitte, GCHQ, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce.
DMU Global
Our innovative international experience programme aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.
Cyber Security students gained valuable insights into San Francisco’s tech industry, while others put their surveillance and espionage skills to the test at New York’s Spyscape museum.
Placements
Work placements are offered as part of this course as one of the best ways to boost your skills and experience while studying, as well as improving your chances of gaining a graduate level job.
We have links with organisations both in the UK and internationally, and the placements team will help you find a placement to suit your interests and aspirations.
Students have taken part in placements at Airbus, GCHQ, and Vauxhall Motors to develop their skills and put their learning into practice.
bottom of page