FdSc Computer Science (Cyber Security Technologist) · StaffordshireFoundation degree · 2 years
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University of Staffordshire · Undergraduate

FdSc Computer Science (Cyber Security Technologist) Foundation degree at Staffordshire

FdSc Computer Science (Cyber Security Technologist) at Staffordshire. It equips you with practical skills in cyber security and related computing disciplines. The course covers specialisations such as Software Engineering, Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Web & Mobile, Cloud & DevOps…

FdSc
Award
2
Years
Full-time
Study mode
Burton and South Derbyshire College
Location

About this course

FdSc Computer Science (Cyber Security Technologist) is a Foundation degree (FdSc) at Staffordshire, based in Burton and South Derbyshire College. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.

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.

Year 1 3 modules
  • Business, Systems And Data AnalysisCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    The discipline of Business Analysis is associated with Requirements Analysis but focuses on helping organisations to achieve their strategic goals by understanding their strengths, weaknesses and capabilities, and using them to improve their policies, processes, and information systems. Business analysis helps organisations to understand and describe their functions and activities with a view to improving them to reduce overall costs, use resources more efficiently and provide better support to

  • Computer Architecture, Networks & CyberCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    This module is intended to equip you with not only the knowledge but also the practical skills to be able to create and understand an enterprise grade computing system. Starting with the Client Access Layer, understanding fundamental computer principles to exampling computer hardware. The module incorporates the content of associate level vendor qualifications for example Cisco CCNA. It covers Cybersecurity, in which different stakeholders are involved ranging from individuals up to organisation

  • Introduction To Software DevelopmentCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    This module establishes a solid foundation in the basic principles of developing software applications. You will learn the essential skills necessary to give you confidence in designing, implementing, and testing procedural, object-oriented and web-based software solutions. You will be encouraged to develop your intellectual, communicative, and problem-solving skills.

Year 2 6 modules
  • Cyber OperationsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module will teach you about how computer networks can be secured in addition to securing computer operating systems. All organisations are challenged with rapidly detecting cybersecurity breaches and effectively responding to security incidents. Teams of people in Security Operations Centres (SOCs) keep a vigilant eye on security systems, protecting their organizations by detecting and responding to cybersecurity threats. This module covers cyber security including information/infrastructur

  • Digital ForensicsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    A digital forensic investigation is a special case of a forensic investigation where the procedures and techniques are used to make the use of target digital artefacts while allowing the findings to be presented in a Court of Law. The analysis of digital evidence is a very structured and formal process. The module will allow students to develop knowledge and understanding of digital forensics, focusing on different platforms (including computers, mobile phones, and smartphones/tablets).

  • Ethical HackingCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The wide development of technologies has further destabilised the already fragile balancebetween the defenders and the attackers of computing infrastructures. Human society is dependent onvulnerable computers controlling priceless information. In this information environment, organizations havebeen forced to allocate considerable resources for protecting their information assets. Unfortunately,worldwide statistics are indicating that things do go wrong, with catastrophic results most of the time

  • Pathway ProjectCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module is the culmination of your studies and in it you will have the opportunity to choose a topic for which you will research, design, and evaluate a solution for. A big part of your learning will be related to how you manage the project and determine what you need to do.

  • Professional PracticeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    You will work in a small team to produce an application in response to the needs of a third-party client. The module gives you the ownership of the project management as well as the development of a solution to the brief, within which not only must you aim to satisfy and exceed the clients needs, but you must also consider and apply the relevant Legal, Social, Ethical, and Professional Issues.

  • Virtualisation And Network SecurityCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module looks at network security and virtualisation of hardware and software and the effect upon the commercial IT market, infrastructure, and the wider customer base. Within the module you will look at the hypervisor technologies which are currently used to understand how these interact with hardware and allow a virtualized OS to work either natively or through a host OS. You will also look in detail at the different virtual environments, with Cloud and virtualised storage, hardware for re

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 core computer science alongside a focused track in cyber security. A course like this typically begins with programming fundamentals, imperative and object-oriented languages such as Python and Java, alongside computer systems and architecture, and the discrete mathematics that underpins algorithms. In Year 2, you'll progress to algorithms and data structures, databases and software engineering (including SQL and team-based systems design), and artificial intelligence and machine learning. By Year 2, specialisation options emerge: you can pursue artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, systems and networks, or human-computer interaction. The final stage normally combines security and networks (threat models, cryptography and secure system design) with an individual software project that you'll design, build and evaluate under supervision.

Who it's for

This course suits those interested in building a career in cyber security and computing. You'll develop both technical knowledge and practical experience relevant to industry roles. The foundation degree pathway allows you to progress into the workforce or onto further study. Check the university's funding pages for information on bursaries and scholarships.

Careers & job market

Across Computer Science courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 75% are in highly skilled roles or further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) typically range from £25,000 to £35,000, rising to £29,750–£42,000 after five years. These figures reflect national trends across the field, not a guaranteed salary. First-year retention across the university stands at 85%, indicating student continuation rates.

University & format

This Foundation degree (FdSc) is delivered at Burton and South Derbyshire College and awarded by the University of Staffordshire. The course runs full-time over 2 years and is taught in English. University of Staffordshire is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; degrees are nationally recognised. The university received a Silver award 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.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

PlacementPublished placement option

Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Entry & how to get in

Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Staffordshire's official course page for the current offer.

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

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.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
UCAS codeI790quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code I790). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Staffordshire whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at Staffordshire →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 2 years

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.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Staffordshire funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

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.

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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Computer Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

  1. 1Graduate / Junior DeveloperFirst engineering role · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Software EngineerShipping features end-to-end · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / Lead EngineerOwning systems and mentoring · 5–9 yrs
  4. 4Principal / Engineering ManagerArchitecture or leading teams · 9+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Computer Science nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£25,000 – £35,000
After 3 years LEO
£23,375 – £33,000
After 5 years LEO
£29,750 – £42,000
national rangeaxis £22,000 – £43,500

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.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Computer Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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.

Where they work

  • Tech companies
  • Banks & fintech
  • Consultancies
  • Government (GDS) & startups

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

University of Staffordshire

All students17,085
International4.1%
Aged 25+52.9%

Computing across the UK

Students205,990
Aged 25+31.2%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Burton and South Derbyshire College

969 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 360Anti Social Behaviour 128Public Order 101Shoplifting 93Criminal Damage Arson 67

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 Staffordshire from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by Staffordshire; 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 Staffordshire’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 Staffordshire and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by Staffordshire. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
See the career and earnings data for Computer Science below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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