Computer Science (Cyber Security) BSc Honours

Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised. Please contact our friendly advisers to find out if you’re eligible for a place. You can get in touch through our hotlines: 

• For domestic students please call us on 0800 073 5050
• If you’re an International student calling from outside the UK, call: +44 191 222 5000

Not available in Clearing

This course is not available in Clearing 2025.

This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2025. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field.

Search our courses in Clearing

Course overview

In today's interconnected world, cybersecurity is more critical than ever. Cyber threats are rising, highlighting the need to safeguard our digital infrastructure. Our Cyber Security degree gives you the skills to defend against evolving threats. You'll develop the skills and knowledge to develop dependable and secure software systems.

You’ll focus on designing and developing secure software systems. You'll learn theory and techniques used to make systems resilient against cybersecurity threats. You'll learn about:

• security mechanisms for computing
• software verification techniques and tools
• cryptography and cryptographic protocols
• network and system security

In your first two years, you'll study a broad Computer Science curriculum. You’ll learn about creative problem-solving, program design and implementation.

In your final year, you’ll learn more about Cyber Security and study more specialised modules.

You'll also have the option to take part in a paid industry placement or study abroad year.

The latest research drives our teaching, keeping your course future-focused. We are:

• an Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
• recognised by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre for conducting leading research
• the lead institution for the National Edge AI Hub, which explores the impact of cyber threats on Edge AI

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Additional information

Flexible degree structure

All our Computer Science students study the same modules for the first two years. Once you have a good foundation, you'll specialise later in your course. This means you can transfer between our degrees, until the end of your second year.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

Learn about the fundamentals of Computer Science. There’s an emphasis on developing your skills in program design and implementation.

You'll get experience in Java and Python programming, develop your problem-solving skills, and get a broad view of hardware and software architectures.

During this year, you’ll get an insight into what it’s like working in the digital sector.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Fundamentals of Computing	20
Computer Systems Design and Architectures	20
Foundations of Data Science	20
Programming Portfolio 1	30
Programming Portfolio 2	30

You'll study modules in software engineering, algorithm design, security programming and the fundamental principles that govern the operation of the internet.

We'll introduce you to requirements analysis and databases, and the formal specification of software systems.

You'll also work in a team to engineer a substantial software product, developing practical teamwork skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Security Programming	20
Algorithm Design and Analysis	10
Software Engineering Team Project	30
Introducing Contemporary Topics in Computing	30
Software Systems Design and Implementation	30

In your final year, you’ll start to specialise in Cyber Security. You'll study system and network security, software verification technology, reliability and fault tolerance, and cryptographies.

You'll also complete a dissertation project in an area of your choice, supervised by an expert in Cyber Security. For this, you’ll need to research and plan a solution to a real-world Cyber Security problem.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Major Project and Dissertation in Computer Science	60
Cryptography	10
System and Network Security	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Distributed Systems	10
Development and Operations of Systems	20
Introduction to Quantum Computing	10
Game Design	10
Gaming Technologies and Simulations	20
Introduction to BioDesign and Natural Computing	20
Biomedical Data Analytics and AI	20
Human Computer Interaction: Interaction Design	20
Computer Vision & AI	20
Data Visualization and Visual Analytics	10
Career Development for final year students	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2024-25.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include:

• lectures, including guest lectures from visiting professionals
• tutorials from our expert staff
• supervised practical work, which will account for most of your time
• project work to help you develop real-world business skills, such as teamwork and project management

During your project work in Stage 2, you'll work as a team to develop a software product.

In Stage 3, you'll work on a major individual project and a dissertation.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You’ll have lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. During practical sessions, PhD students or research staff will support you.

You'll explore tools and techniques to support software development, focussing on teamwork. You'll apply theoretical analysis to solve problems. The effective communication skills you'll develop will prepare you for employment.

Industry speakers will offer valuable insights, sharing their career experiences and professional expertise.

Business skills

Employers look for evidence of skills and experience, as well as your academic work. This degree has been created with industry needs in mind. The course meets high professional and educational standards required by our accrediting body, the British Computing Society (BSC).

In Stage 2, you'll work in a team environment with real-life industry briefs, giving you a preview into industry life. You will pick a problem, identified by industry, and develop a project to find a solution. Industry representatives, lecturers and the project sponsor mark the projects.

You'll develop non-technical skills essential for a career in computer science, such as:

• planning
• time management
• organisation
• teamwork and understanding your role in a team
• creative problem solving
• communication
• adaptability

Research skills 

You’ll benefit from our teaching approach informed by research. Each module incorporates the latest research and expertise from our academic staff.

Through the group and individual projects, you'll develop your own research skills by:

• exploring your ideas
• experimenting with recognised and emerging technologies
• finding innovative solutions to real-world problems

You'll investigate existing work, identify the best approaches, and apply the right techniques for the task. You'll present your findings with clarity and evidence, refining your communication skills.

You'll graduate with the skills needed for a research career in academia or industry.

Student stories

Charlotte, a British student, tells us about her placement at Jaguar Land Rover, her summer internship at Deloitte and more about her course and life in Newcastle.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.

Short-term global opportunities

During your degree, you can get involved in short-term global opportunities with activities ranging from four days to more than eight weeks. Our students have recently taken part in:

• South Korea: First Steps in Programming a Humanoid AI Robot at Seoul National University
• Hong Kong: HKUST International Summer Exchange Program, Summer 2024, at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Denmark: Business Intelligence from Web Data Analytics and Data Mining at Aarhus University
• Japan: Absolute Internship
• Peru: EcoSwell
• Singapore: Global Impact Start Up Challenge at Singapore University of Social Sciences

Funding is available to support our students who want to take part.

Industry placement in computing

You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an accredited and paid industry placement during your degree. You’ll get University support from our dedicated team.

Your placement is a great opportunity to gain practical experience, key business skills and industry contacts. This practical experience can help you develop outside of university.

Your placement can be in the UK or abroad. And it'll take place between Stages 2 and 3.

Recent computing industrial placements include:

• IT Intern within Consumer Products, Games and Publishing at The Walt Disney Company
• Developer / Data Science Internship at Siemens
• Engineering and Technology Intern at Rolls Royce
• Data Analyst at Bank of England
• Junior Information Analyst at NHS

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be part of the School of Computing, based in the Urban Sciences Building on our Newcastle Helix campus.

This brand new £58m building offers great facilities for our students, including:

• cyber-physical systems laboratory
• decision theatre for data visualisation
• flat floor teaching facilities
• 315 PCs with a Raspberry Pi3 on every desk

The building and the surrounding area is becoming a living laboratory, underpinning research to make urban centres more sustainable for future generations.

The Newcastle Helix is an innovation district in the heart of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Research across the Newcastle Helix focuses on:

• cyber-physical systems
• infrastructure
• smart grids
• future of our city
• big data

Wellbeing spaces

Wellbeing and inclusivity are at the heart of our School. The USB has several wellbeing spaces for students, including:

• The Retreat: A sensory space with relaxing stimuli to distract from busy student life.
• Prayer room: For all faiths and none, this space can be used for prayer or quiet reflection.

Support

We take your health and wellbeing seriously and are committed to supporting you throughout your studies so you can fulfil your potential at university. This support includes:

• a personal tutor who is an academic member of staff who can help you with academic and personal issues throughout your degree
• a peer mentor scheme which pairs you with a current student from your course to help you navigate your first year at university
• a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works
• Student Wellbeing Advisors who can offer comprehensive listening and support and signpost you to other University support services or external support agencies
• dedicated wellbeing facilities and regular activities

Your future

Join a network of successful graduates

This degree will prepare you for a career in different technical roles in a range of industries. You’ll be able to work in software houses, with companies designing and deploying dependable software in safety-critical industry sectors such as intelligence, government and consultancies.

Previous graduates have gone into these roles within 15 months of graduating:

• Cyber Security Analyst at Meaius Cyber
• Graduate Software Engineer at BAE Systems
• Software Developer at Scott Logic
• Tech Associate at Infosys
• Software Engineer at IBM
• Graduate Engineer: Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science at Roke Manor Research

Further study

This degree provides a pathway into Master's and PhD level study in a wide range of fields, depending on your choice of optional modules.

As a Computer Science (Cyber Security) BSc graduate, you can focus on advanced research in areas such as:

• artificial intelligence and machine learning for security
• network defence
• cryptography
• digital forensics
• secure software engineering

Your expertise in Cyber Security will open doors to cutting-edge research and innovation in these and many other fields.

Preparing you for career success

In the present job market, computing science graduates are better placed than many others to obtain employment in a challenging and fulfilling career, and the employability of Newcastle graduates is particularly high.

An increasing number of employers require digital skills, meaning our graduates are highly sought after. They move into bespoke software development roles in software houses and computer manufacturers and also into corporate organisations that use computers on a larger scale, such as banking, insurance and manufacturing companies and public sector institutions.

Benefit from strong industry links

You'll also benefit from our well-established links with organisations within the industry. Our placement students and graduates are regularly recruited by companies such as:

• Nissan
• Waterstons
• Accenture
• IBM
• P&G
• Deloitte
• Microsoft
• Sage
• DWP
• GCHQ

You can also gain work experience with local businesses. Many local businesses approach our School to advertise short, part-time or voluntary work opportunities.

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Careers support

We want all our students to succeed in their careers. That’s why we’ve designed our courses to give you the skills employers are looking for. You can also go to guest lectures from industry professionals, mock interviews, and professional skills workshops.

Every year, the school hosts a week of career events. In the past, these have included:

• hackathon workshops
• placement discussions
• coding and enterprise challenges
• employer talks
• networking events

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2026-2027

The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) Not set
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) Not set

Home Fee Students

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course. £9,535 is the maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students for the academic year 2025-26. This is set by the UK government. This fee has not yet been confirmed for 2026-27.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages