STUDY OPTIONS

OVERVIEW

STUDY LEVELS

Cert HE

UCAS CODE

G601

DURATION

1 Year

START DATE(S)

Sep / Nov / Jan / Feb / Apr / Jun

ENTRY YEAR

2024/25 | 2025/26

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

64

Course Introduction

What you will learn

Delivered in our super-modern Digital Academy, the Cyber Security Cert HE is a 1-year university-level course, equivalent to the first year of a degree.

Get to grips with front-and back-end development, and learn in-demand programming languages including JavaScript, Python, SQL and CSS.
Benefit from the opportunity to design and build a web-based application using a real-life scenario.
Study the fundamentals of cyber-crime, and understand the importance of Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI).
Look at how software systems are developed, understand the software development cycle and explore agile methodologies in the workplace.

If you’re looking for a cyber security course in Manchester, check out our 1-year Cyber Security Cert HE and unlock your greatness at UA92.

Professional Certifications

As a Software Development student, you will get the chance to gain additional professional, industry-recognised certifications alongside your course. These additional qualifications are often fully or part-funded and are a great opportunity to maximise your skillset for your future career. Examples of Professional Certificates that students have completed include AWS Cloud Certified Practitioner, CompTIA Data+ and Cisco CCNA.

AWS Cloud Certified Practitioner

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner validates foundational, high-level understanding of AWS Cloud, services, and terminology.

CompTIA Data+

An early-career data analytics certification for professionals tasked with developing and promoting data-driven business decision-making.

Cisco CCNA Certification

CCNA covers networking fundamentals, IP services, security fundamentals, automation and programmability.

How You Will Study

Course
breakdown

24 weeks of
study

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*

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

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 as well as complete a group design assignment to simulate a workplace team working environment.

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).

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 drive 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 the academic year 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 and Certificates of Higher Education 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%

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

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 and all the software you need to complete your studies.

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?

As the digital world expands, the threat of cyber-crime is growing fast and cyber security professionals are in demand.

This 1-year course is the perfect stepping stone to a full cyber security degree. If you pass the Cert HE successfully, you will automatically be eligible to progress to the second year of the 3-year degree programme.

If you choose to leave after the 1-year Cert HE, you’ll walk away with a valuable level 4 qualification which will support your job applications in the sector.

Whatever you decide, you’ll be on your way to an important career in cyber security 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.

Mehak Memon

Lecturer in Computer Science

I am an experienced Computer Science Lecturer with a PhD in IT and a Post Doctorate in blockchain networks. I design and deliver modern course content, lead modules, and provide mentorship to students. Some of my international projects includes industry-scale software, based on blockchain technology for supply chain traceability with University Technology Petronas, Malaysia and University of Southeastern Philippines, delivering enterprise-scale software, a patent, intellectual property, and authored peer-reviewed research. My earlier roles involved advancing machine learning applications and supporting student development through hands-on teaching and project supervision.

Ngozi Nneke

Computer Science Lecturer

I’m a passionate lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at UA92. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science, along with four Master’s degrees in Data Science, an MBA in Information Systems and Management, Information Systems Research, and Educational Technology. I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and hold a PGCE qualification. Currently, I am a final-year PhD candidate, with research focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Explainable AI (XAI). Before joining UA92 in 2022, I had over 15 years of professional experience across various roles within the IT industry. I now teach a diverse range of modules, including Global Intelligent Systems (AI), Cloud Computing, Information Systems, and Front-End & Back-End Development, in addition to supervising final-year Computer Science projects. My research interests include AI, XAI, Data Science, and Cloud Computing. Alongside teaching, I organise UA92 TechFest, an annual event that enables final-year students to showcase their projects to industry partners, broadening their employability prospects.

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

Senior Lecturer in 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.