FDA Applied Cyber Security Foundation degree at City College Plymouth
FDA Applied Cyber Security at City College Plymouth is accredited by a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and the college achieved Gold in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, reflecting quality in teaching delivery.
About this course
FDA Applied Cyber Security is a Foundation degree (FDA) at City College Plymouth, based in Kings Road. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Computer Science, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
- Applied Cryptography
Module details
students will learn to use mathematical algorithms to secure data and communication channels. You will explore encryption and decryption methods, key management, digital signatures, and other essential cryptographic concepts.
- Introduction to Software Engineering
Module details
the module introduces the fundamentals of software engineering, including requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. You will learn to develop software systems that meet user needs and quality standards for cyber security.
- Computer Systems and Operating Systems
Module details
the module covers the basics of computer hardware and software, including processors, memory, storage, and input/output devices. You will also learn about operating systems, including process management, memory management, file systems, and security.
- Systems Analysis
Module details
you will learn to analyse complex systems and processes to identify problems and propose solutions. You will use tools and techniques such as data flow diagrams, entity-relationship diagrams, and process modelling to understand system requirements and design efficient solutions.
- Security Fundamentals with Computer Networks
Module details
introduces the fundamentals of computer network security. You will learn about common network threats and vulnerabilities and techniques for securing networks and data. Topics covered include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, and network monitoring.
- Threat Modelling and Intelligence
Module details
explores the techniques used to identify, analyse, and mitigate cyber threats. You will learn how to develop threat models and use intelligence-gathering techniques to assess risk and plan effective defence strategies. Topics covered include threat modelling methodologies, risk assessment, and intelligence analysis techniques.
- Advanced Software Engineering
Module details
you will learn advanced software engineering techniques such as agile methodologies, continuous integration, and software testing. You will also explore emerging trends in software engineering, such as cloud computing, containerisation, and micro services architectures.
- Data Modelling and Machine Learning for Cyber Security
Module details
you will learn how to use machine learning and data modelling techniques to detect and respond to cyber threats. You will explore data modelling, data mining, and machine learning algorithms such as decision trees, neural networks, and support vector machines.
- Ethics, Legal and Management
Module details
the module provides an overview of cyber security's legal, ethical, and managerial issues. You will learn about privacy and data protection regulations, ethical considerations for security professionals, and best practices for managing security teams and projects.
- Offensive and Defensive Security
Module details
In this module, you will learn how to defend against cyber-attacks by understanding how attackers think and operate. You will explore offensive security techniques such as vulnerability assessment, exploit development, and social engineering, as well as defensive security techniques such as network segmentation, access control, and incident response.
- Penetration Testing
Module details
In this module, you will learn how to simulate real-world cyber-attacks by performing penetration testing. You will learn to identify and exploit vulnerabilities and report your findings to stakeholders. You will also explore different penetration testing methodologies, tools, and techniques.
- Team Project
Module details
In this course, you will work in teams to develop and implement a cyber security project. You will apply the skills and knowledge you've learned throughout the program to a real-world scenario, working with team members to plan, design, and implement a secure system. You will also learn project management skills like time management, budgeting, and team communication.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study applied cyber security with a foundation in core computing principles. A course like this typically moves from programming fundamentals and computer systems in the early stages, through algorithms, databases and software engineering in the middle section, to specialist options such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, systems & networks, and human-computer interaction in later stages. You'll usually encounter discrete mathematics underpinning algorithms, then build towards hands-on security and networks work covering threat models and cryptography. Many programmes culminate in an individual project where you design and evaluate a substantial software system. The emphasis throughout is on practical, applied work grounded in real-world computing challenges.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking to develop specialist knowledge in cyber security whilst balancing other commitments, given its part-time structure. It's designed for learners who want a nationally recognised qualification in a growing field without committing to a full-time schedule. You should have the capacity to study flexibly alongside work or other responsibilities.
University & format
This Foundation Degree is studied part-time at City College Plymouth, a higher education college located on Kings Road. Teaching is in English. The qualification is nationally recognised as a UK degree-awarding body credential. The College achieved Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at City College Plymouth →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Computer Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate / Junior DeveloperFirst engineering role · 0–2 yrs
- 2Software EngineerShipping features end-to-end · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / Lead EngineerOwning systems and mentoring · 5–9 yrs
- 4Principal / Engineering ManagerArchitecture or leading teams · 9+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Computer Science nationally
National figures for Computer Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How Computer Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Boilerplate and scaffolding code
- First-pass tests and docs
- Routine debugging and refactors
- Standard data wrangling
More human than ever
- System design and architecture trade-offs
- Reviewing and owning correctness & security
- Translating fuzzy problems into software
- Leading delivery and mentoring
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Computer Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Tech companies
- Banks & fintech
- Consultancies
- Government (GDS) & startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Computer Science graduates.
Software Developer Placement Programme No experience neededIT Online LearningSoftware Developer - .NET & Azure for Green Energy ProjectsOfgemSoftware Developer Backend (SFIA5)ZaiziSoftware Developer (Mobile Apps) in Guildford - ECM Selection (Holdings) LimitedJava Script WorksSoftware Developer (Contract) – Higher Education Projects (UK)Burman RecruitmentSoftware Developer – Distributed Scheduling & Workload OrchestrationCGG Services (UK) LimitedWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Computing across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Kings Road
2,047 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Computer Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to City College Plymouth from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by City College Plymouth; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check City College Plymouth’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with City College Plymouth and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at City College Plymouth
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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