Cyber Security (Higher Education Short Course)
Digital Technologies provide an opportunity for malicious hackers and cyberterrorists to exploit individuals, government, institutions and large organisations. Defending against cyber-attacks, including insider threats, is a priority within the digital technologies sector. Cybercrime techniques and attack vectors are fast growing, taking advantage of the speed, anonymity and convenience of the internet as a facilitator for malicious and criminal activity.
You will explore fundamental principles as well as leading-edge concepts, terminologies, models and hardening methods. You will assess the types of malicious activity and potential targets, and the role everyone has in maintaining cyber resilience. On successful completion of the course, students will have explored the nature of cybercrime and cyber threat actors, looked into the roles and responsibilities in relation to information assurance, assessed the threats to, and vulnerabilities in, ICT infrastructure and investigated strategic responses to cyber security threats.
This Level 4 course forms part of the HND in Digital Technologies (Higher Technical Qualification) and so, upon successful completion you will be able to take other units from that qualification or enrol on to the full HND in Digital Technologies.
A flexible opportunity to undertake a Higher Education programme, which will support you in developing the skills and knowledge employers are really looking for. Through these degree-level qualifications, you’ll be able to enrich your CV and skillset. You’ll also be able to progress on to a full Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma, should you choose to continue your journey.
These programmes are ideal if you’re looking to upskill to enhance your existing career. You’ll be encouraged to engage in learning through other units of Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ) at Level 4 and above, such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND).
Explore the nature of cybercrime and cyber threat actors
This will include but not be limited to, cyber security, its importance to business and society, cyber security concepts and why cyber security matters to business and society, security assurance concepts and how assurance may be achieved in practice including penetration testing and extrinsic assurance methods, and why technology is a target for cybercrime including the role of human behaviour and the significance of the ‘insider threat’ and how attack techniques combine with motive to become a threat.
Investigate cyber security threats and hazards
Including, the significance of identified trends in cyber security threats and the value and risk of analysis, types of threats and hazards to a system, service, process, e.g. cybercriminals, organised crime groups, states and state-sponsored activity, terrorists, ‘hacktivists’, script kiddies, insiders (knowing and accidental).
Examine the effectiveness of information assurance concepts applied to ICT infrastructure
Including, achieving assurance in practice, e.g. penetration testing and contribution to assurance, extrinsic assurance methods, definitions and Information Architecture (IA) principles, data, information and IT governance, Information Governance (IG) roles and responsibilities, accountability, legal and regulatory applicability and requirements, Recovery, IG strategic planning and best practices, IG policy development, and IG business consideration and legal functions.
Investigate incident response methods to cyber security threats
This will encompass standards (International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), e.g. ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management, ISO/IEC 27002:2013), legislation (UK-specific laws and policies), incident response methodology, post-incident activity, and cryptography.
The course will also help develop your academic writing and research skills providing you with the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving.
It’s likely that the ‘live ‘ sessions will be on a Thursday at around 17:30/18:00 (TBC).
Please note: the closing date for applications is 5 January 2026.
This course is delivered online and will consist of ‘live’ (synchronous) workshops and seminars along with learning materials which you will be guided through and able to complete at a time convenient to you. You will learn through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. By participating in vocational activities, you will develop key behaviours and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis. Plus, you will be taught by a friendly, committed, and qualified team of lecturers who have both professional and teaching experience.
You will be assessed through written assignments. You will also be supported with a wide range of learning resources made available via Activate Learning’s Online Learning Environment (ALO), including access to textbooks, articles, and multimedia content.
Support
You will have a range of support made available to you, including academic and pastoral support, learning support and access to additional support funds (if eligible). Please see our Support Pages for further information.
Additional study support
Whether you have a recognised disability, specific learning difficulty, or not, you will be eligible to access additional learning support in all the following areas:
- assistive software training
- IT upskilling
- essay planning and structure
- proofreading and editing written work
- bibliographies and referencing
- time management and personal organisation
- revision and exam tips
- presentation techniques
You’ll need to have a GCSE grade 4 or above in maths and English. Other L2 qualifications (such as Functional Skills) in English and Maths may be accepted.
In addition, you will have either:
- An A level at grade D, or
- Relevant Access to Higher Education Diploma, or
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business or related subject, at a Merit overall, or
- T Level at Pass in a related subject
However, if you are thinking of returning to education but do not possess all the formal entry qualifications, your application may be considered through our Recognition of Prior Learning procedure. You will need GCSE English and Maths. In addition, you should be able to demonstrate experience and achievement in a range of digital technologies-related activities. We would also look for evidence of continuous professional development and learning. You should provide details of your experience and any courses you have completed along with your reasons for wanting to pursue this course of study in the Personal Statement section of the application.
If you want to find out more about our recognition of prior learning procedure or have any questions about the course, please do talk to us.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:
- Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B
- PTE Academic 51, or
- IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5)
On successful completion of this course, you can progress to other units from the HND in Digital Technologies qualification or on to the full HNC/D in Digital Technologies. Should you decide to progress on to the full HNC/D, your successful completion of this course unit will count towards the qualification.
Career opportunities could include becoming a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer, Environmental Social Governance Officer or responsible business officer, to name a few.
Additional costs
You will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget for additional costs, such as stationery, to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists from our Learning Resource Centres, either on campus or online. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to £60 each.
