Skip to main content
A cyber security professional stands in a server room, holding a tablet while monitoring the systems around him.

Network Engineering (Cyber Security) - Foundation Degree

Summary

Building on the College's success in delivering networking programmes generally, the FdSc Network Engineering (Cyber Security) provides a specialist route in one of the most in-demand disciplines within contemporary computing.

With the FdSc Network Engineering (Cyber Security) programme you will develop technical and professional skills with which you will meet the current expectations of industry. The skills you will develop include the ability to:

  • Apply networking and hardware skills that will enable the connection, control and configuration of various devices, using both traditional and wireless connectivity
  • Protect individual systems and corporate infrastructures from unauthorised and illegal hacking and industrial espionage
  • Utilise a range of professional and open source penetration testing tools to evaluate systems security
  • Develop specialist Cyber Security skills to prepare Information Security Professionals for a range of in-demand industry roles
  • Work independently and as part of a team, the ability to take instruction and work to deadlines, communication and adaptability
  • Be creative, use initiative and develop problem solving skills
  • Undertake a work placement and apply the full range of technical and professional skills acquired during the foundation degree in a real world context

Enrolling on this two-year programme will enable you to take the first steps to becoming a Cyber Security professional, a field in which there is now an ever-increasing demand for highly skilled IT individuals capable of preventing or, at the very least, mitigating the effects of a cyber attack. To this end, this two-year foundation programme will see you engage with the latest technologies to understand and explore hacking in an ethical context.

You will use vulnerability scanners and penetration testing tools to detect, establish and mitigate organisational security risks in a simulated environment. You will also learn about networks and how to secure them from intruders, and understand laws and processes that are applicable to the area of network and data security.

On successful completion of this course, you will be well-placed to apply for a number of roles within the industry. Alternatively, you can continue your studies with us on our year long BSc top-up programme to elevate your qualification to an honours degree.

  • Course code DP1HE007
  • UCAS code II12
  • Duration 2 Years
  • Day/s of week Tuesday and Thursday
  • Time 09:00 - 16:00

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
2 Years
  • £37,100 average annual salary
  • Rapid progression to Senior Management and Consultancy roles
  • 59,103 annual job openings in the North West

What Uni Reviews

Teachers are knowledgeable and very supportive. Equipment is top notch. ****
Steven Dickson
Good community brilliant tutors and a good course. *****
Jakub Kosiec
Excellent support and tutors. *****
Afreen Hussain

Black and white logo for Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology.

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The combination of network security with network engineering produces extremely well qualified graduates with broad, commercially desirable skill sets and qualifications.

Key information

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 64 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline 

  • MPP from Extended Diploma or MM from Diploma in any level 3 Computing/IT course
  • We will strongly encourage and support those who do not hold GCSE Maths/English at grade C/4, or equivalent qualification, to pursue a Maths/English qualification alongside the main programme.

The entry criteria for direct entry onto Level 5 of the programme is:

  • Successful completion of the HNC Computing at Blackpool & The Fylde College

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are expected to achieve a minimum 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component

Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis.

Qualification obtained

FdSc Network Engineering (Cyber Security)

Fees and funding

Please visit our finance page for more information on tuition fees and available financial support.

Extra costs and equipment

There are no direct additional costs for this programme other than the provision of stationery, photocopying and so forth. However, students may wish to purchase a laptop to allow them to do coursework more flexibly. It is possible to borrow a laptop or to get help with financing one if you are eligible for financial support.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institute: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

During the latter part of this course, you will need to complete 96 hours of related work experience.

This will involve finding a suitable work placement, which we will encourage you to do yourself. If, for some reason, you’re unable to find a placement, our workplace coordinator will arrange interviews with employers; we may even find you an internal placement with our own IT Services Department.

Your work-based activity also includes timetabled sessions, which will involve creating CVs, learning about professional guidelines and legislation, and exploring how to apply your new-found skills to the workplace.

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Network Disaster Recovery DP4MD013 20 Yes
    Network Principles DP4MD014 20 Yes
    Network Programming and Scripting Concepts DP4MD015 20 No
    Switching Routing and Wireless Essentials DP4MD016 20 No
    Introduction to Systems Security DP4MD017 20 No
    Professional and Academic Skills Stem DP4MD033 20 No
  • Modules at level 5

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Work Based Learning DP5MD007 20 No
    Contemporary Project DP5MD008 20 No
    Virtualisation and Cloud Computing DP5MD009 20 No
    Securing Networks DP5MD019 20 No
    Database and Web Security DP5MD020 20 No
    Data and Evidence Recovery DP5MD021 20 No

Study Support - at a glance

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support

Programme Specification

Download our Programme Specification for this course.

Student case study - Jonathan

Why did you choose B&FC?
The enthusiasm of the staff is infectious. The facilities and equipment here are in a class of their own, giving me hands-on experience with the kit I will go on to use in industry.

What have been the benefits of studying here?
The tutors have a wealth of experience and knowledge that comes through in their lessons. All the staff here have been very supportive and helpful with any issues I've raised.

How will I learn?

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 240 225 0
Independent 760 745 0
Placement 0 30 0
Total 1000 1000 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

Not the course for you?

Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.

  • Software Engineering (Game Development) - Foundation Degree

    View course
  • Physical Activity, Health & Leadership - HNC

    View course
  • Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) - BEng Hons Degree (Part-time)

    View course

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 70% 72% 0%
Exam 6% 6% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%