Student satisfaction
This course scored 84% for overall satisfaction in the 2021 National Student Survey.
Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
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Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Develop the skills to design and secure complex information systems
- Learn to respond appropriately to security incidents by gathering evidence
- Gain an understanding of the legal and regulatory environment around complex information systems
- Understand the fundamental principles behind the tools and techniques employed in cyber security and the digital forensics industry
- Use the latest digital forensics software and technologies employed in industry including Encase, Magnet Axiom and IEF, FTK, X-Ways, Nuix, Cellebrite UFED Physical Analyser and UFED 4PC.
- You’ll have the opportunity to gain industry certifications such as the Cellebrite Certified Operator (CCO) certification and the Nuix Workstation Forensics Practitioner Foundations and Core certifications.
The course is accredited by the British Computer Society, and includes topics fundamental to all computing studies, including principles of security, computing, architecture and networking, databases and programming. 100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 93% in highly skilled employment or further study (Graduate Outcome Survey 2018/19).
Student View
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
You will gain practical experience by installing, configuring, securing and troubleshooting a range of computer systems and networking technologies. You will assess systems for vulnerabilities and detect network intrusions. You will analyse and interpret digital evidence, collected from computers and mobile devices, providing reports to the clients.
You learn through
- lectures
- hands-on lab sessions and tutorials
- regular feedback
- teamwork and group-based learning
- practice-based applied learning
- discussions
- self-study
Course leaders and tutors
Shahrzad Zargari
Senior Lecturer in Computer Systems and Networks; Course Leader in Cyber Security with ForensicsShahrzad is the course leader in Computer Security with Forensics and is involved with teaching different topics in digital forensics
Applied learning
Work placements
In your third year, you will have the opportunity to take a year-long work placement. This will allow you to apply your knowledge and gain industry-required skills that will help you advance your career.
Organisations are looking for experienced staff, and a work placement in industry will provide you with the experience needed to secure a security and forensics related position in a competitive job market. Our dedicated placement team will support you through the application process.
During the placement year, you will be mentored by a member of academic staff, who will visit you at your placement.
Previous students have worked at organisations such as
- Yorkshire & Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit
- HSBC
- CYFOR
- 3Squared
- Satisnet
- Next
- Sec-1
- Sainsbury’s
- BBC
Live projects
You will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained gaining from your course by working with local organisations and businesses. We work in partnership with the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), a non-profit organisation. NEBRC aims to help protect regional businesses from cybercrime and employs our students to deliver specialist services during their studies. The NEBRC was established in 2019, funded by a variety of Private and Public Partners including the Police, as well as a wide range of business investors and members across England.
Networking opportunities
We are a member of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) Academic Partner Programme which accredits our course to industry standard. The CIISec is the only information and cyber security institution to have been granted Royal Charter status. This partnership supports our students to develop contacts within the cyber security community. It also provides access to a world-class speaker track and the opportunity to network with prospective employers.
You will have the opportunity to take part in seminars and workshops run by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and by employers such as IBM, BT, Satisnet and Citrix.
Future careers
This course prepares you for the following careers
- cyber security analyst
- digital forensics consultant
- security consultant
- information security analyst
- chief information security officer
- incident response analyst
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for dedicated security and forensics companies, law enforcement agencies and large-scale businesses and industries such as
- Serious Fraud Office
- West Yorkshire Police
- South Yorkshire Police
- Citrix
- CYFOR
- HSBC
- Intaforensics
- Cisco
- 3Squared
- F-Secure
- NextGen Security
- Servelec Group
- Hewlett-Packard
- IBM
- Sec-1
- Info-Assure
- Sky
- G-Research
- Exponential-e
Accreditation
This course is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course, you will work with
- our state-of-the-art internetworking labs
- Cisco switching
- routing and security devices
- the latest specialist software including Encase, Magnet Axiom and IEF, FTK, X-Ways, Nuix, Cellebrite Physical Analyzer, UFED Touch 2 and UFED 4PC
Learn more about your department
Computing facilities tour
Take a look around the facilities and equipment in the Department of Computing at Sheffield Hallam University.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112
This must include at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- BBC at A Level.
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 Level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Computer Systems And Architecture | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To Computer And Information Security | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Mathematics And Cryptography | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Networking Fundamentals | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Professionalism And Employability Skills | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Programming Fundamentals | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Database Administration And Security | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Digital Forensics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Network Intrusion Detection | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Network Services And Administration | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Project Based Learning | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Secure Networking Technologies | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Cyber Forensics Expert Witness | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Information Security Management | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Investigative Forensics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Project (Network, Cyber And Forensics) | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Enterprise Applications Management | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Offensive Forensics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Computing courses (PDF, 246.1KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
