Computer Science for Cybersecurity
BSc (Hons)
Course Overview
This new BSc Computer Science for Cybersecurity is a cutting-edge degree ideal if you are eager to explore computer science especially tailored for a career in cybersecurity.
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Why choose this course?
- It offers a unique blend of foundational computer science principles and advanced cybersecurity techniques to ensure you are well prepared to tackle the challenges of the workplace.
- You will gain hands-on experience with the latest cybersecurity tools and technologies working on real-world projects that address current industry needs.
- Our state-of-the-art facilities and strong industry partnerships provide you with opportunities for internships, collaborative projects and networking with leading professionals in the field.
- Our faculty comprises experts working at the forefront of computer science research and development who bring their deep knowledge and experience into the classroom. This helps ensure that you receive the most up-to-date education and insights into the rapidly evolving world of cybersecurity.
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What will I learn?
This course equips you with a solid foundation in computer science and advanced expertise in cybersecurity. It has a distinctive curriculum that covers topics ranging from algorithms and data structures to machine learning, cryptography and network analysis for threat monitoring and response.
You will develop engineering and science skills and will gain knowledge and expertise to develop secure software and learn how to assess and respond to complex cybersecurity problems.
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How will I learn?
Teaching may include lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical classes. Many computing modules include laboratory-based exercises. In your final year you will gain valuable experience for your future career in undertaking a significant project in which you will apply your knowledge to explore a cybersecurity system that addresses real-world challenges.
This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening so you can balance your studies with work, family and other commitments.
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How often will I attend classes?
Full-time: Three evenings a week, October to July.
Part-time: Two evenings a week, October to July.
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Foundation Year
If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree. -
Course disclaimer
Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.
More Highlights
- Our world-class research activity informs our teaching, and we provide a stimulating teaching and research environment for both part-time and full-time students.
- Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Computer Science and Informatics research in the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- Birkbeck established one of the first computing departments in the UK in 1957 and was a pioneer in database technologies, e-commerce and data science studies.
- We have several laboratories of networked PCs with a range of language compilers, database and other application software that you can access daily from morning till late in the evening. We are also connected, via the SuperJANET network, to the computers of other academic institutions in London, elsewhere in the UK and abroad.
Modules and Teaching
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Starting in October 2027
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Three years full-time, on campus
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
- Years 1 and 2: eight compulsory modules in each year
- Year 3: one compulsory module, one option module and a project
Year 1 compulsory modules
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Introduction to Database Technology
- Introduction to Programming
- Mathematics for Computing
- Object Oriented Programming
- Problem Solving for Programming
- Professional Issues in Computing (Level 4)
- Systems Analysis and Design
Year 2 compulsory modules
- Computer Networking
- Computer Organisation and Systems Software
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Database Management (Level 5)
- Information Security (Level 5)
- Secure Software Development
- Software Engineering
- Software Systems Development
Year 3 compulsory module
Indicative option modules
BSc Computer Science for Cybersecurity project
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Four years part-time, on campus
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
- Years 1 and 2: six compulsory modules in each year
- Year 3: four compulsory modules and one option module
- Year 4: one compulsory module and a project
Year 1 compulsory modules
- Introduction to Database Technology
- Introduction to Programming
- Mathematics for Computing
- Object Oriented Programming
- Problem Solving for Programming
- Systems Analysis and Design
Year 2 compulsory modules
- Computer Networking
- Information Security (Level 5)
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Professional Issues in Computing (Level 5)
- Secure Software Development
- Software Systems Development
Year 3 compulsory modules
- Computer Organisation and Systems Software
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Database Management (Level 5)
- Software Engineering
Year 4 compulsory module
Indicative option modules
BSc Computer Science for Cybersecurity project
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Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
Course structure
For the Foundation Year, you take six core modules to a total of 120 credits.
If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to the three-year, full-time, evening study BSc Computer Science for Cybersecurity.
Foundation Year core modules
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Teaching
We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
What are the methods of teaching?
Lectures, seminars and student presentations. Many computing modules include laboratory-based computing exercises.
The Foundation Year is composed mainly of lectures augmented with group and individual tutorial work and practical lab work. Material will also be made available online.
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How will I be assessed?
A combination of examinations, tests, essays, laboratory-based exercises, group exercises, presentations and a final-year project.
Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.
Entry Requirements
We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.
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Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
- Three years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC, including one in mathematics or science)
- Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points
For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.
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Part-time study
For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent international qualification.
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What GCSEs do I need?
Applicants are expected to have GCSE grade C or 4, or equivalent, in English and mathematics.
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Alternative entry routes
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DMM
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What are the English language requirements?
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
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What are the visa and funding requirements?
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).
As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)
If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.
Fees
Three years full-time, on campus
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year
Four years part-time, on campus
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year
Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.
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Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee
If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
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Tuition fees and maintenance loans
Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don't have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.
Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to help cover living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.
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Am I eligible for a loan if I've previously studied?
You can apply for a government tuition fee loan for the four- and six-year part-time routes even if you already have a degree or a qualification at an equivalent or higher level (ELQ).
Find out more about government tuition fee loans and ELQ-exempt courses.
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Can I apply for an international scholarship?
We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.
Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.
Careers and employability
On successfully completing this BSc Computer Science for Cybersecurity you will have gained valuable transferable skills including in:
- critically evaluating arguments and evidence
- developing and presenting substantial reports
- analysing, appraising and presenting work under pressure
- communicating effectively using appropriate interpersonal skills
- collaborating with others as a member of a team.
Graduates from this degree may find themselves following career paths in the following sorts of roles:
- cybersecurity analyst
- programmer
- software engineer
- database administrator
- testing and software quality engineer.
You may also decide to progress your studies further at postgraduate level, for example with our MSc Data Analytics and AI.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Student Support
Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.
Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.
Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.
Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.
Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.
How to Apply
You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.
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How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?
If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.
The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.
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How do I apply to study part-time?
If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.
Please note that online application opens in September.
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When should I apply?
You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
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How can I get help with my application?
Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
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International agents
If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.
Study routes for Computer Science for Cybersecurity (BSc (Hons))
Please select a study route below to continue your application.
Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.
2027-28
Full-time
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Three years full-time, on campus starting in October 2027
Apply now via UCAS for Computer Science for Cybersecurity (BSc (Hons)) Three years full-time, on campus starting in October 2027 -
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2027
Apply now via UCAS for Computer Science for Cybersecurity (BSc (Hons)) Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2027
Part-time
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Four years part-time, on campus starting in October 2027
Apply Now for Computer Science for Cybersecurity (BSc (Hons)) Four years part-time, on campus starting in October 2027