Careers

Getting my MCFE (Magnet Certified Forensic Examiner) certification was a turning point for me, and I knew then that Digital Forensics was the path I wanted to take.

Maksims Kvjatkovskis, ARU Cyber Security alumni and Forensic Technology Graduate at Deloitte

Gain practical expertise in digital forensics, cyber security and incident response.

You'll graduate from this course ready to investigate and present digital evidence in legal and organisational contexts. You'll have hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and real-world scenarios, supported by recognised certifications.

With a critical shortage of skilled professionals in the UK and globally, demand for your skills is exceptionally high. You might work in law enforcement, cyber security, consultancy, or digital investigation, as part of a very fast-growing sector.

What can you do with a Cyber Security and Digital Forensics degree?

Where have other cyber security graduates worked?

How can ARU help with my employability and career development?

Teaching and modules

This isn't a theorical course where you take notes. It's hands-on: writing scripts, analysing real evidence, and building the instincts that make a great cyber investigator.

Andrew Moore, Course Director

Build your expertise across cyber security and digital forensics.

Through a balance of theory, lab-based practice and real-world investigation, you’ll develop an understanding of cybercrime, operating systems, and scripting. You'll also learn how security threats and vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated.

In our specialist labs, you’ll isolate and analyse malware, conduct ethical hacking and explore threat intelligence. You'll additionally gain knowledge and skills in networking, forensics, and cloud and software security.

You’ll round off your degree with a major research or product development project on a relevant topic of your choice.

Student experience

Gain hands-on networking experience in our Cisco lab with live routing and switching equipment.
Hear what our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics students have to say about the course.
Get to grips with the inner workings of computers with hands on, interactive sessions. Take a virtual tour of our Computer Science degree.
Cyber Security graduate Thomas reflects on their university journey and offers advice for future students.

Gain hands-on networking experience in our Cisco lab with live routing and switching equipment.
Hear what our BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics students have to say about the course.
Get to grips with the inner workings of computers with hands on, interactive sessions. Take a virtual tour of our Computer Science degree.
Cyber Security graduate Thomas reflects on their university journey and offers advice for future students.

What will I study?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1

Introduction to System Architecture and Automation (30 credits)
Software Principles (30 credits)
Cyber Crime Fundamentals (15 credits)
Core Mathematics for Computing (15 credits)
Introduction to Networks (30 credits)
Into ARU

Year 2

Network Routing and Switching Essentials (30 credits)
Principles of Digital Forensics (15 credits)
Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Cloud and IoT (15 credits)
Digital Security (15 credits)
Advanced Digital Forensics (30 credits)

Year 3

Digital Forensics and Malware Science (15 credits)
Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures (15 credits)
Software Security (15 credits)
Final Project (30 credits)
Mobile Forensics (15 credits)
Security Management, Operations and Analytics (30 credits)

Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Year 3

Work Placement - Computing and Information Sciences

Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1

Foundation in Engineering, Computing and Technology

Year 2

Introduction to System Architecture and Automation (30 credits)
Software Principles (30 credits)
Cyber Crime Fundamentals (15 credits)
Core Mathematics for Computing (15 credits)
Introduction to Networks (30 credits)

Year 3

Network Routing and Switching Essentials (30 credits)
Principles of Digital Forensics (15 credits)
Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Cloud and IoT (15 credits)
Digital Security (15 credits)
Advanced Digital Forensics (30 credits)

Year 4

Digital Forensics and Malware Science (15 credits)
Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures (15 credits)
Software Security (15 credits)
Final Project (30 credits)
Mobile Forensics (15 credits)
Security Management, Operations and Analytics (30 credits)

Module details

It’s possible to combine placement and foundation year options. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.

How is Cyber Security and Digital Forensics assessed?

What happens on a foundation year?

What happens on a placement year?

Who teaches Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at ARU?

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Andrew Moore
Senior Lecturer Practitioner
Dr Hossein Abroshan
Senior Lecturer
Charles Marrow
Senior Lecturer Practitioner in Cyber Security
Dr Ronak Al-Haddad
Lecturer
Steve Shepherd
Senior Lecturer Practitioner
Dr Segun Popoola
Senior Lecturer

As a Cyber Security and Digital Forensics student at ARU, you’ll learn in lecture theatres and state-of-the-art computing facilities, and:

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirements

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

Main

5 GCSEs at grade D, or grade 3, or above and evidence of two years post-GCSE study at Level 3.

If you have achieved at least grade E in one A level, or equivalent, you are exempt from the two years post-GCSE study requirement, but you still must meet the GCSE requirements.

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 5.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

See entry requirements for the BA or BSc (Hons)

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

International students

English language requirements

Contextual offers

Fees and funding

UK students

£9,790 UK students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

Paying your tuition fees
If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,790 UK students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

Paying your tuition fees
If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,790 UK students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

Paying your tuition fees
If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,790 UK students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

Paying your tuition fees
If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

International students

£18,400 International students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

£18,400 International students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

£18,400 International students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

£18,400 International students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

Placement year fee

Living costs

Bursaries, scholarships and part-time work

Apply for Cyber Security and Digital Forensics

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UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2026 start

Apply through Clearing

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Apply through UCAS for 2027

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Apply online

Cyber Security and Digital Forensics

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