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3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
Royal Holloway University of LondonRoyal Holloway’s focused BSc in Computer Science with Cyber Security equips you with deep expertise in programming, systems, cryptography, network security, digital forensics, and penetration testing. Benefit from hands-on teaching in labs and problem-solving sessions, award-winning instruction, and unique recognition as the only UK bachelor’s program fully certified by GCHQ and the NCSC, making it ideal for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.
Ideal for: Students passionate about solving real-world problems through technology, with flexibility to specialize in AI, Information Security, or Distributed & Networked Computing after Year 1.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1:
You'll build core skills through six 20-credit modules including:
Year 2:
You'll deepen your expertise with more advanced modules such as:
Computer and Network Security
Introduction to Information Security
Algorithms & Complexity
Operating Systems
Databases
Software Engineering
You'll also complete a team Project where you'll explore the role of a computer professional through team-based Agile software development, covering project management, the software lifecycle, industry tools, and the challenges of estimating cost, effort, and ensuring quality.
Year 3:
Your degree culminates in an Independent Honours Information Security Project where you'll demonstrate independence and originality, to plan and organise a large project over a long period.
Additonally you can select from electives like:
Flexible Pathways
4-year with Placement Year: Gain experience with partners like IBM or Microsoft
Integrated Masters (MSci): Extend to a 4-year advanced degree
Assessment Methods
Assessment is through a mixture of examinations and coursework. Most course units have a two or three-hour written examination taken at the end of the year in which they are taught, but around half of your final award will come from assessed coursework, which could include project reports (including the full unit project in year 3), essays, oral presentations and software submissions.
Focus areas:
"Secure software and systems • Cryptography & protocols • Network defense & penetration testing • Digital forensics • Ethical hacking • Security-focused team project • Honours research project • Optional placement or MSci pathway"
Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to:
Analyze and build secure systems and networks
Apply cryptographic methods and forensic analysis
Solve security problems through research and project-based work
Work effectively in cybersecurity teams
Execute independent, in-depth honours or MSci research
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) – meets academic criteria for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and partial Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
Certified by EQANIE (Euro‑Inf label)
Only UK bachelor’s cybersecurity program fully certified by GCHQ and NCSC, with recognition for its high-quality education in cyber security
Reputation & Rankings
Top 25 UK for Computer Science (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
Athena SWAN Bronze Award: Recognized for advancing gender diversity in tech
Royal Holloway’s Computer Science degree combines practical, real-world learning with structured team projects, modern lab facilities, and research-driven teaching. Industry placements and strong external links ensure graduates are job-ready and professionally aligned.
Facilities & Learning Environment
Computing Labs: Fully equipped with Windows/Linux workstations, advanced server access, and modern IDEs (Eclipse, PyCharm), all supported by dedicated technical staff.
Specialised security infrastructure: Includes a Penetration Testing Laboratory, virtualisation software for experimenting with network security, and an industry-sponsored Smart Card Centre.
Renowned Information Security Group (ISG): A GCHQ/NCSC-recognised hub (ACE‑CSR) with smart-card, IoT, malware, and cryptography labs—founded in 1990—offering hands-on, research-based learning
Robotics & Games Labs: From Year 1, students use hands-on kits and interactive tools to build games and robotics applications in structured lab sessions.
Electronics & Hardware Labs: Used for physical computing tasks in games, robotics, and embedded systems modules.
Learning Environment: Includes small-group tutorial rooms, access to personal advisers, and well-supported digital resources and library systems.
Experiential Learning Highlights
Weekly Hands-on Labs: Core modules integrate lab work with languages like Java, Python, and C/C++, alongside version control (Git), test frameworks (JUnit), and Agile practices.
Year 1: Games and robotics mini-projects lay the foundation for collaborative programming and applied problem-solving.
Year 2: Team-based Agile projects simulate real-world development cycles—plan, build, test, and present full applications using industrial tools.
Final Year (Year 3): A year long individual honours project, supervised by academic staff, focusing on either software development or applied research tailored to your interests.
Research & Internship Opportunities
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme: Competitive summer internships (6 weeks, paid) to participate in live academic research, ideal for students interested in postgraduate study.
Research-led Teaching: Delivered by leading academics in AI, network security, machine learning, distributed systems, and big data.
Cybersecurity Strength: Home to the NCSC-certified Information Security Group, a recognised centre of excellence.
Placements & Career Development
Optional Year in Industry: Take a fully integrated and academically assessed placement year after Year 2 supported by the university’s Careers Service and department.
Top Placement Partners: Students have secured placements at companies like Amazon, American Express, Apple, Bupa, Capita, CGI-Logica, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Symantec, among many others, many of which lead to graduate job offers.
Internships & Early Opportunities: Summer internships, job fairs, and employer-led training sessions are available from Year 1, coordinated via central and departmental career support.
Industry Links & Professional Growth
Industrial Advisory Board: Guides curriculum relevance and includes partners such as Accenture, BlackRock, British Gas, Microsoft, Yahoo, Salesforce, and more offering networking and career opportunities.
Professional Accreditation: The degree is BCS-accredited, meeting academic requirements for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status.
Graduates from Royal Holloway’s Cyber Security BSc enjoy strong early career success, about 92% of BSc Computer Science graduates are in graduate-level employment or further study within 15 months, and 90% of those roles classed as highly skilled.
Typical career paths include::
Cyber Security Analyst / Engineer
Penetration Tester / Vulnerability Assessor
Secure Software Developer
Network Security Consultant
University Services That Support Employment
Dedicated Careers Service and departmental Placements & Careers Officer offer 1:1 CV and interview coaching, application support, and regular internship and job opportunity updates
On-campus and university-wide career fairs, including IT-specific and “Careers in Finance” events, connect you with employers like Amazon and British Gas
Active alumni network offers mentoring, networking opportunities, and industry insights
Employment Stats & Salary Figures
~92% of graduates are in graduate-level work or study within 15 months
Typical salaries:
~£34,000 at 15 months
~£44,500 at 3 years
~£56,000 at 5 years which is among the top UK earners for Computer Science
University–Industry Partnerships
Industrial Advisory Board with senior figures from Accenture, Microsoft, Salesforce, Yahoo, and others, ensuring the curriculum is aligned with real-world industry needs
Strong engagement via GCHQ/NCSC-certified modules and royal-fellow level expos in the Information Security Group
Strong placement-year opportunities after Year 2, with close departmental support that often leads to graduate roles
Accreditation & Long-Term Value
Fully accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) and holds the Euro-Inf Quality Label
BSc Information/Cyber Security is GCHQ-certified
The degree fulfils academic requirements for:
Chartered IT Professional (CITP)
Partial Chartered Engineer (CEng)
Chartered Scientist (CSci) status
Graduation Outcomes
Ranked 8th nationally for graduate earnings in Computer Science
IFS reports that CS graduates earn ~99.7% more than non-graduates by age 29, reflecting strong long-term return on investment
Further Academic Progression
After your BSc, you can:
Progress to an MSci or MSc in specialist fields such as Cyber Security, AI, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cyber Security or AI Security
Pursue a PhD, supported by Royal Holloway’s leading research teams with 95% of research rated world-leading or internationally excellent
Engage in PhD research through the ISG and CDT centers with top-tier funding and supervision.
Apply directly for BCS-chartered status (CITP, CEng) — your degree already meets the key academic criteria
Enter professional conversion or teaching pathways, backed by continued career support and industry engagement
UCAS Application • Official High School Transcripts • Personal Statement • Educational Resume • Letter of Recommendation by School TeacherA Level: AAB-ABB with Computer Science or Mathematics or PhysicsInternational Baccalaureate (IB): 6,6,5 at Higher Level including either Physics, Computer Science or 5 HL Maths: Analysis & Approaches/6 HL Maths: Applications & Interpretation/6 SL Maths: Analysis and Approaches with a minimum of 32 points overallCBSE / CISCE Boards: 80% overall in your Higher Secondary School Certificate with 80% in any A-level subject specified aboveIELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each sectionTOEFL iBT: 88 – At least - Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17Computer scientistSoftware developersComputer systems analystComputer systems engineerNetwork systems administratorDatabase administrator
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