BEng (Hons) Cybersecurity (Graduate Apprenticeship)
Program Overview
This fully-funded Graduate Apprenticeship program combines university study with paid work in Cybersecurity. Students gain academic knowledge, industry accreditation, and practical experience in network security, digital forensics, and software development. The program emphasizes work-based learning, with 80% of time spent in relevant job roles, and leads to career opportunities in the field of Cybersecurity.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This Graduate Apprenticeship program offers a fully-funded university degree while working in a paid, relevant job role. It aims to enhance skills and career prospects in the field of Cybersecurity by equipping students with academic skills, industry accreditation, and work experience. The program capitalizes on the growing importance of network security and provides a foundation for a successful career in Cybersecurity.
Objectives:
- Gain an enhanced knowledge of cybersecurity.
- Develop skills to adapt to challenging situations across a global computing infrastructure.
- Acquire fundamental knowledge related to cybersecurity, including encryption and authentication.
- Gain practical experience through lab-based practice and emphasis on engineering practice.
Description:
The program combines three sought-after streams of computing: network security, digital forensics, and software development. It provides a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles and their practical application. Students will learn about various aspects of cybersecurity, including:
- Network security
- Cryptography
- Security testing
- Advanced network forensics
- Secure software development
- Information security and society
Outline:
Structure:
- The program is delivered over 4 years, with a combination of university study and work-based learning.
- Students spend approximately 80% of their time in work and 20% in university.
- The program is taught on a day release basis, with classes held one day per week in years 1 and 2.
- Professional Practice modules are work-based and timetabled in the summer trimester, offering flexibility.
- The emphasis on work-based learning increases in years 3 and 4, with reduced on-campus teaching.
Course Schedule:
- Year 1:
- Foundations of Software Design and Development
- Mathematics for Software Engineering
- Practical Networks
- Introduction to Human Computer Interaction
- Computer Systems
- Professional Practice 1: Work-Based Project
- Year 2:
- Database Systems
- Scripting for Cybersecurity and Networks
- Digital Forensics
- Web Technologies
- Professional Practice 2: Work –Based Project
- Year 3:
- Networked Systems
- Network Security and Cryptography
- Security Testing and Advanced Network Forensics
- Professional Practice 3: Work-Based Project
- Year 4:
- Security Systems for IoT
- Secure Software Development
- Information Security and Society
- Honours Project: Work-Based Project
Module Descriptions:
- Foundations of Software Design and Development: Introduces fundamental concepts of software design and development, including programming languages, data structures, and algorithms.
- Mathematics for Software Engineering: Covers mathematical concepts relevant to software engineering, such as logic, set theory, and discrete mathematics.
- Practical Networks: Provides hands-on experience with network technologies, including network protocols, network devices, and network security.
- Introduction to Human Computer Interaction: Explores the principles of human-computer interaction, focusing on user experience design and usability.
- Computer Systems: Covers the architecture and operation of computer systems, including hardware, software, and operating systems.
- Professional Practice 1: Work-Based Project: Integrates academic learning with practical work experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world projects.
- Database Systems: Introduces database concepts, including database design, data modeling, and query languages.
- Scripting for Cybersecurity and Networks: Covers scripting languages used in cybersecurity and network administration, such as Python and Bash.
- Digital Forensics: Explores the principles and techniques of digital forensics, including evidence collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Web Technologies: Covers web development technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web security.
- Professional Practice 2: Work –Based Project: Continues to integrate academic learning with practical work experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world projects.
- Networked Systems: Covers the design, implementation, and management of networked systems, including network protocols, network security, and network performance.
- Network Security and Cryptography: Explores the principles of network security and cryptography, including encryption algorithms, authentication protocols, and intrusion detection systems.
- Security Testing and Advanced Network Forensics: Provides hands-on experience with security testing techniques, including penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and incident response.
- Professional Practice 3: Work-Based Project: Continues to integrate academic learning with practical work experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world projects.
- Secure Software Development: Covers the principles and practices of secure software development, including secure coding practices, vulnerability analysis, and security testing.
- Honours Project: Work-Based Project: A culminating project that allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to a complex cybersecurity problem.
Assessment:
- A mixture of practical assessments, reports, academic essays, and exams.
- Assessment on learning in the workplace, primarily in the summer trimesters.
- As students progress, more of their job role is used to gain credit towards their final award through Professional Practice and their final-year dissertation.
- Delivered across three trimesters over a full calendar year.
- Classes are held one day per week in years 1 and 2, studying 2 modules per day.
- Professional Practice modules are work-based and timetabled in the summer trimester, offering greater flexibility.
- Work-based learning is overseen by a workplace mentor and university coach.
- Tripartite progress review meetings are held each trimester to support students in their work and studies.
Careers:
- Students are full-time employees for the duration of the program.
- Employers will look for opportunities for students to apply their learning in work and develop as professionals.
- Career progression opportunities may be offered at any time during the studies.
- Upon completion, apprentices can build their career in jobs such as:
- Security Consultant
- Forensic Investigator
- Audit/Compliance Consultant
- Security Adviser/Auditor
- Cybercrime Consultant
Other:
- Graduate apprentices have full access to campus facilities, including modern classrooms, cutting-edge labs, the Merchiston Library, a business incubator, two cafes, and a 24-hour computing center.
- The program is fully funded through the Scottish Funding Council and Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), and supported by Skills Development Scotland.
Entry Requirements:
This program is available to new and existing employees who work and reside in Scotland. Entry requirements cater to professionals and can account for both academic and work-based experience. You need to be employed with a supporting organization to be eligible, and must have a job within the same field as your chosen subject area.
All applicants must:
- Be 16 or older (some employers may require 18+)
- Have the right to live and work permanently in the UK
- Have ordinary residence in Scotland
- Meet program entry requirements
Advanced Entry:
Advanced entry into Year 2 or 3 is possible for students with suitable qualifications. Applications are considered on an individual basis.
Work Experience and Professional Qualifications:
We encourage applications from individuals whose work experience or professional qualifications provide them with a comparable foundation for starting the course. You will be considered through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process and asked to provide evidence of relevant work experience through a detailed CV or application form, including an employer reference. Advanced entry may also be granted if you have sufficient industry-related experience and qualifications. You may also be eligible for funding if you have completed a degree in a different subject area.
- Four SQA Highers at Grade BBBB (or equivalent) including Computing or Maths.
- A Foundation Apprenticeship in IT: Software Development at SCQF Level 6 plus two SQA Highers at Grade BB
- A Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6-7 in an ICT/Digital related discipline
- HNC with C in the graded unit in one of the following: Computing, Computer Networking, Computer Networking and Internet Technology, Cyber Security.
- Sufficient recognition of prior learning (RPL) through industry-related experience, qualifications, and informal learning. RPL applications are considered on an individual basis National 5 grade C in Maths/Lifeskills Maths/Applications of Maths and English.
- A Modern Apprenticeship in a related discipline at SCQF Level 8
- An HNC at Grade A in a related discipline
- An HND at Grade B in a related discipline
- A minimum of two SQA Advanced Highers at Grade BB (or equivalent) including Computing
- Sufficient recognition of prior learning (RPL) through industry-related experience, qualifications, and informal learning
Year 3:
To enter this program at the start of Year 3 you must have 240 SCQF credits (or equivalent) of which a minimum of 120 credits are at SCQF 8 (or equivalent) and/or significant recognition of prior learning (RPL) through industry-related experience, qualifications, and informal learning. SCQF Level 8 qualifications can include:
- HND at minimum Grade B in Networking, Cyber Security, Computing: Networking, Computer Networking & Internet Technology
- Diploma for Higher Education in a relevant subject area
Language Proficiency Requirements:
As all learning, teaching and assessment activities are conducted in English, if your first language is not English you must have a minimum International English Language Testing System score of 6.0 with all four elements having a score of at least 5.5.