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.