Computer Security with Foundation Year

The BSc (Hons) Computer Security with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University is the ideal course if you are interested in this subject but lack the necessary qualifications to study it at degree level.

• Graduates increasingly in demand as IT security problems escalate
• Opportunity to undertake a 12-month paid industrial work placement
• Strong links with over 450 local and national organisations including Merseyside Police, Cheshire Police, Xyone Security, Fujitsu, IBM, Eutechnyx and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
• Entertainment Europe
• £6 million investment in state-of-the-art teaching facilities including 150 high-performance computers

Work-related learning

Translating your academic studies into essential professional experience.

Practical, hands-on experience to boost your employability is incorporated into this programme wherever possible. However the best way to really get a taste of working in the cyber security industry or the IT industry in general is to take a year out after Level 5 and spend 12 months on supervised work placement.

This invaluable experience gives you a chance to put into practice the many concepts and techniques you have learnt on the course, as well as developing new skills. We highly recommend that you take up this opportunity, as it will greatly enhance your prospects when you come to negotiate your way around the competitive graduate job market.

Our teaching is supported by high quality research and collaboration with 450 local and national companies such as Merseyside Police, Cheshire Police, Xyone Security, Fujitsu, Corus, Unilever, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, IBM, Eutechnyx, Jagex, Spiral House, Heinz, Liverpool Direct, Pilkington, MBNA Bank, HM Treasury, Lloyds TSB, Thames Water Authority, AstraZeneca, Littlewoods, Vauxhall Motors, GlaxoSmithKline to name but a few. This means that our computing courses are designed and developed to meet the needs of employers today, as well as creating excellent work placements for students.

About the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Computer Security honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

About the BSc (Hons) Computer Security degree

Over the last few decades, information technology has transformed the way in which commerce and industry operate, but it has also provided criminals with a new way of committing crime, either against the computer itself or the information it holds. Major organisations are therefore increasingly reliant on dedicated information security professionals to protect sophisticated computing systems against the threat of cyber crime.

This course provides you with the skills to plan and implement cyber security systems, developing competence in technical areas like cryptography and software development together with an understanding of ethical and privacy considerations.

Level 3   

• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Physics A
• Particles, fields and electricity
• Physics B
• Mechanics, materials and waves
• Algorithms, programming and computing
• Engineering and technology practice

Level 4   

• Introduction to Programming
• Computer Systems
• Introduction to Computer Forensics and Security
• Problem Solving for Computer Security
• Internet and Web Technologies
• Personal and Professional Development
• Data Modelling

Level 5   

• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Database Development
• Operating Systems
• Secure Software Development
• Information Assurance
• Research Skills
• Professional Issues

Sandwich degree 

• Year-long placement

Level 6

• Project
• Ethical Hacking
• Network Forensics
• Network Defence
• Applied Cryptography

Requirements

• Successful completion of a first year of Bachelor degree/Bakalvr from a recognised institution or a Diploma of Completed Specialised Secondary Education (basic level) will be considered.
• Make sure you add as much detail as possible – including grades and results. Without enough information universities might struggle to make a decision.
• The application fee is £13 if you’re applying to just one course, or £24 for multiple courses 
• All academic transcripts
• Copies of degree/diploma certificates or work reference (if employed)
• One academic reference
• An English Language test score (IELTS) 6.0
• Your personal statement
• Copy of your valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months left before expiration)

Scholarships

• John Moores International Undergraduate Scholarship
• English for Undergraduateand Postgraduate Studies Bursary