STUDY OPTIONS

OVERVIEW

STUDY LEVELS

BA (Hons)

UCAS CODE

G651

DURATION

3 Years

START DATE(S)

Sep / Nov / Jan / Feb / Apr

ENTRY YEAR

2025/26 | 2026/27

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

104*

What you will learn

Delivered in our super-modern Digital Academy, this 3-year Cyber Security degree will teach you secure back-end and front-end development skills. Our industry specialists will train you up on languages like JavaScript, Python an SQL, to ensure your programming skills are on point.

This course is fully hands-on, with access to the latest technology supporting you to create secure web-based applications and implement cyber security policies and solutions. You’ll get to grips with the world of cyber-crime and its impact, understand how to identify and mitigate risk, and become familiar with important ethical and legal issues.

In your third year you’ll have the opportunity to use your skills and knowledge to come up with your own quality solution to a real-world computing security issue.

So, if you’re looking for a cyber security course in Manchester, check out our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security degree and unlock your greatness at UA92.

How You Will Study

Course
breakdown

24 weeks of
study per year

4 x 6-week blocks

1 subject module per block

4 CPD focus days per block

Subject Module
Breakdown

250 hours of
study per module

80 hrs face-to-face (32%)

20 hrs Digital Wednesdays (8%)

150 hrs independent study (60%)

Assessment
Breakdown

No traditional
end-of-year exams**

Year 1 – 100% coursework

Year 2 – 100% coursework

Year 3 – 100% coursework

Your course modules

Module 1 - Front End Development

You’ll get to grips with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, learning how to design and build a website based using a real-world scenario.

Module 2 - Back-End Development

You’ll take an in depth look at Webservers, that form the backbone of the Internet. You’ll gain an understanding of Linux system management, PHP programming language, Structured Query Language (SQL) and database development theory; whilst building a database-based webserver app hosted on a Linux based server.

Module 3 - Software Design and Development

You’ll take a look at how software systems are developed from inception to delivery and testing. You’ll learn about both traditional software development lifecycle and agile methodologies.

Module 4 - Fundamentals of Cyber Security

This module covers the nature of cyber-crime threat actors and hazards and the importance of Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI).

Module 1 - Operating Systems

Covers understanding OS capabilities, vulnerabilities and differences. Factors such a performance monitoring, process, resources and memory managed are taught so that given real life scenarios, the most suitable OS’s are selected with technical justification.

Module 2 - Cyber Security and Risk

You’ll learn how to identify and mitigate risks and how to build systems that are resilient and robust to threat, using cyber security principles. You’ll focus on the management SQL injection attack and how to mitigate Denial of Service attacks.

Module 3 - Databases

You’ll study advanced SQL programming, gaining an in depth knowledge about database technologies used to implement information systems. You’ll also look at the formal processes for documenting system requirements that are used to generate the code.

Module 4 - Secure Coding

How write robust secure code by adopting best practise as specified by bodies such as CyBOK and OWASP is covered, together with practices to mitigate interfacing to other system.

Module 1 - Network Security

You’ll evaluate the risks posed to networks and how to mitigate them using standards and policies, and implement various methods of securing networks through finding vulnerabilities via elements of ethical hacking and penetration testing.

Module 2 - User Experience Design

You’ll get a solid grounding in user interface principles; discover why developing a system that practices good user design principles is essential for any computing system, public facing website, or internal corporate system.

Module 3 - Contemporary Issues in Computer Science

You’ll take a look at some of the most contemporary issues within Computer Science, such as remote working, automation and automated transport; understanding how ethical and legal issues can impact on the process of information systems development.

Module 4 - Final Project

You’ll undertake a large-scale Cyber Security project based on an actual computing brief. You’ll draw on your knowledge and skills to deliver a comprehensive, quality solution to a real-world security based computing problem.

What is the 92 Programme?

Alongside your subject modules, you will complete the 92 Programme.

Engaging with the 92 Programme is a requirement for all students and will count towards your overall grade.

In each block, you will take part in a number of Character and Personal Development focus days. During these focus days, you will complete activities designed to boost your mindset, develop your skillset and get you set for future career success.

Throughout the 92 Programme, you will develop skills in self-reflection and awareness, wellness and resilience and professionalism and employability, as well as upskill in different areas.

Find out more about how we prepare students for future career success.

Why the 92 Programme is part of your course?

In a recent study*, 78% of employers believe graduates do not arrive in the workplace fully equipped with the skills they need to be work-ready.

Another study conducted by the World Economic Forum** identified ‘10 Skills You Need for the Future of Work’. These skills include:

Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Analytical (critical) thinking
Active learning with a growth mindset
Interpersonal communication skills
Leadership skills
Technology skills

At UA92, we prepare you for life after graduation and equip you with the skills employers value most. You may not realise it, but developing these skills now, will get you set for career success and could land you that dream job in the future.

*CMI Report: Work Ready Graduates

**World Economic Forum: The Future of Jobs Report 2023

How is the 92 Programme assessed?

You will produce a learning journal that will document your experiences. This will be submitted at the end of each academic year (or level of study) to assess whether you have met the required standard to pass the module.

Why study at UA92

UA92 offer a deliberately different experience to traditional universities; with fixed morning or afternoon timetables and no end of year exams. Our industry-inspired courses, place character and personal development firmly at the core of the learning experience. This is more than a degree. It’s preparation for life.

Degrees awarded by the prestigious Lancaster University
No traditional end of year exams**
Study one module at a time
Courses co-designed with industry
Fixed morning or afternoon timetable***
Multiple start dates throughout the year
Focus on Character and Personal Development

90%

Name: Cyber Security BSc (Hons)
Availability: InStock

said they felt supported with their learning.

NSS Results 2024

UA92 scored higher than all Greater Manchester Universities for Teaching, Academic Support, Mental Health Support Services and Assessment and Feedback in the National Student Survey 2024.*

THIS COURSE IS TAUGHT AT

Old Trafford Campus

This is where our story began, back in 2019. The UA92 Campus is in the heart of Old Trafford, Manchester. Inside there’s a fully equipped Sports Performance Centre, Media Studio and Digital Academy. The tram stop is a 1 minute walk, which gets you into the heart of Manchester city-centre in under 10 minutes.

FIND US

UA92 Old Trafford Campus

Brian Statham Way

Old Trafford

Manchester UK

M16 0PU

Open in maps

a red wall showing the text welcome to ua92

The Digital Academy at UA92

DIGITAL ACADEMY

Located on our Old Trafford campus, the Digital Academy includes a 360 degree immersive audio and video environment, augmented reality and virtual reality zone, digital labs and unique and varied study spaces.

DIGITAL LABS

Our specialist Digital Labs give you access to high-spec Mac minis with all the cutting-edge software you need to complete your studies, including AWS Academy platform for tech cloud security, NetAcad, Cisco Packet Tracer Networking Simulation Tool and Tryhackme platform.

THE IGLOO

The Igloo is our cutting-edge, 360 degree immersive audio and visual space. The Igloo provides a unique, engaging space for collaboration and digital experiences.

VR SUITE

The VR suite gives students the opportunity to experience and experiment with the medium of virtual reality.

STUDY SPACES

There’s a communal space at the heart of the Digital Academy. The large contemporary, open plan collaboration zone, is perfect for independent or group study sessions.

My UA92 Journey: Computer Science

What’s next for a Cyber Security graduate?

As the digital world expands, the threat of cyber-crime is growing fast, and becoming more serious. It has the potential to bring down systems that are critical to our way of life and our national security.

This ever-increasing threat means we need more experts in cyber security to keep us and our data safe in a changing world. Cyber security professionals are in demand, and this demand is set to grow significantly as more systems digitise.

You’ll have the tools to succeed in various roles, including network and security engineer, cyber security analyst, information security specialist or data privacy engineer.

The focus on employability throughout this course will set you up for cyber security roles across a huge range of sectors including government, health, education, infrastructure and finance.

91%

of graduates are engaged in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.*

FIND OUT MORE

UA92 is above the national average for graduate outcomes. The Graduate Outcomes survey is the biggest annual survey that captures the status of recent graduates who completed their studies at a higher education institution in the UK.

*Graduate Outcomes Survey Results released in 2024. National Average is 89%.

Industry Partnerships

We have over 60 industry partners who support our mission to develop career-ready graduates. These partnerships provide you with access to industry-leading expertise, mentorship opportunities and work-place experiences.

Our industry partners play a vital role in shaping both the curriculum you study and your student experience. From delivering guest lectures and masterclasses to providing internships and graduate roles. Here are just some of our partners:

Microsoft

Microsoft is based in 190 countries with 220,000 employees, including a North of England base at the UA92 campus. Microsoft teams work closely with UA92 to deliver insight, training and employability sessions.

CompTIA

As a vendor partner with UA92, CompTIA provides education, training, guest lectures and certifications across Cyber Security, networking, cloud computing and technical support to UA92 undergraduates.

Cisco

Cisco and UA92 are vendor partners, giving UA92 students the opportunity to take part in training and certification preparing them for success in the industry’s most critical digital jobs including engineers and software developers

Meet the Digital Team

Ali Al-Azari

Senior Lecturer in Computer Science

I’m an experienced Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, Cybersecurity as well as the programme lead for the World of Digital. I hold a Masters of Science in cloud and network security and am passionate about driving innovation and clarity in digital education.

Having vast experience in optimising IT infrastructure and practical instructions, I can provide great insights into IT technical matters. I always prefer a hands-on approach, commit to excellence and foster a strong learning environment that empowers the next generation of digital professionals.

Damian Payton

Head of Digital

My digital career started at BBC Manchester, as producer and community media skills trainer. At DigitalMe, I developed UK-wide youth digital skills projects – including Supporter To Reporter, which took Trafford teenagers to the London 2012 Olympics.

I founded Hive Manchester, an award-winning social enterprise helping young people learn digital skills in fun and creative ways. Hive reached over 4000 young people and 220 schools, colleges and universities, especially in disadvantaged areas of Greater Manchester.

I have worked closely with top tech employers like Cisco, Mozilla and Accenture, developing some of the UK’s first Digital Apprenticeships and a Princes Trust-supported digital bootcamp. I am a STEM ambassador, Code Club Founder, Coderdojo Champion and Raspberry Pi Certified Educator. Away from the screens I love to run, swim and cycle in the hills of my hometown Buxton.

Ngozi Nneke

Senior Lecturer in Computer Science & AI – Research and Enterprise Lead

I’m a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Research and Enterprise Lead, with over 18 years of experience across academia and industry. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), hold a PGCE LTHE, and a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with 4 master’s degrees, including an MBA. I am currently awaiting my PhD viva in Explainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

My research focuses on Explainable and Trustworthy AI, developing explainable, transparent, and ethical AI models for healthcare and applied domains. I have co-authored peer-reviewed papers and presented at major international conferences in AI, Explainable AI, Data Science, and Digital Innovation.

I am also the founder and convener of UA92 TechFest, a flagship employability and innovation event linking Level 6 Computer Science students with industry partners. I serve on the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society Strategic Planning Committee and am a judge at the Prolific North Tech Awards. I’m a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Research and Enterprise Lead, with over 18 years of experience across academia and industry I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), hold a PGCE LTHE, and a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with 4 master’s degrees, including an MBA. I am currently awaiting my PhD viva in Explainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

Nicolae Grigore

Digital Lecturer

I am a graduate from Manchester Met University with teaching experience across different levels. As a former course lead I have worked on creating engaging and inclusive experiences for students in many different sub fields of Computer Science. My main interests are in Problem Solving, Programming, Logic and Mathematical Techniques for Computer Science. As a Lecturer in Digital at UA92 I am passionate about delivering fun yet comprehensive sessions to our students. In my free time I play chess and watch videos on a variety of topics.

Omar Alobaidi

Digital Lecturer

With a Ph.D. in Computer Science (AI) from Manchester Metropolitan University, I bring over five years of experience in higher education. Most recently, I served as an IT Lecturer, teaching Python, Java, and database systems, and previously taught at Sussex University, where I developed programming modules and full course materials. My research interests include AI-driven learning technologies, and I have a strong background in programming and web development. Outside of work, I enjoy web design, reading, current affairs, and spending time with family and friends.

Steph Riley

Course Leader - Digital

I am a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and a PhD researcher in Information Science, with particular interests in system analysis and design. My research focuses on data management and information retrieval, exploring how information can be organised, accessed, and utilised effectively in digital systems. Over the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of teaching both adult learners and undergraduate students, taking on a range of responsibilities including supervision, mentoring and curriculum design. Alongside my work in education, I am also a published author and have been involved in innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Outside of academia, I enjoy spending my time reading and exploring nature through hiking.