The course is excellent preparation for jobs in cybersecurity and digital forensics, which is a rapidly growing area given the rise in computer-related crime. At the same time, the course also covers all the fundamentals of computing, leaving your career options open.
Topics include computer security, development of secure systems and networks, cybersecurity and practical aspects of digital forensics.
Why us?
- Accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
- Accredited by BCS on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer
- Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional
- Research in Computer Science and Informatics at Sunderland has been described as ‘internationally excellent’ by the latest Research Excellence Framework
- We have an integrative and holistic approach to the first year of our computing courses. You’ll be taught the fundamentals of computing alongside students from other courses in the School of Computer Science. This course structure allows you to easily change courses at the end of the first year, should a different computer science route appeal to you. For example, you may begin studying BSc (Hons) Computer Science, but then show a greater aptitude for cybersecurity and decide to change to BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
- According to the National Student Survey 2018, our Computer Science courses are in the top 25% in the UK for Learning opportunities, Assessment and feedback, Academic support, Organisation and management, and Learning Resources
Course structure
Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions. Group activities and discussions are facilitated through the University’s virtual learning environment.
You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on group projects. As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing assessments for feedback and consolidating your learning. Assessment methods include coursework and exams.
Employment
This course has a strong emphasis on real-world learning that boosts employability and equips you to make a bigger contribution in the workplace.
Graduate success
Sunderland has a good reputation with employers – 93.4% of our graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers). The top type of job gained by our graduates is ‘information and communication technology professional’.
In your final year of the course, you will undertake a major individual project with research-active staff. This adds to your hands-on experience and, in some cases, leads to a job offer that can be taken up as soon as the course ends.
Career options
Our graduates have gone on to become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over £50,000 a year.
Recognised by the British Computer Society, the UK’s Chartered Institute for IT
This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. It is also accredited by BCS on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.
Developing your e-portfolio
Employers are increasingly looking not only for strong CVs but also real-life demonstrations of technical know-how and commitment to self-development. All computing students at the University of Sunderland develop e-portfolios that become showcases of personal progress. A typical e-portfolio would include audits of your skills, reflections on your areas of strength, evidence of how you have tackled weaker areas, and tools for joining up your learning in different modules.
