Digital and Technology Solutions (Cyber Security Analyst) - Degree Apprenticeship

Start Date	Location	Duration
Anytime	Bispham Campus	3 Years	Enquire

Course Overview

This exciting programme allows you to build industry-relevant skills and earn while you learn in the fast-growing area of cyber security. Supported by the Tech Partnership (the network of employers collaborating to create the skills for the digital economy), the course takes full advantage of workplace experiences and embeds these into teaching, learning and assessment to improve your practice and your career potential. Working alone and in teams, you will develop specialist cyber security skills with industry-relevant tools, languages and techniques across different platforms and technologies. You will also develop valuable employability skills to allow you to compete for the best industry roles.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineer) are as follows:

a level 3 qualification (A-levels, BTEC or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline equal to a minimum of 64 UCAS points (the equivalent of 160 UCAS point on tariffs prior to 2017 entry)
applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/voluntary skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis
applicants must also be actively employed within an appropriate setting in a relevant sector and be supported through their workplace as employers will be able to offset tuition fees against the Apprenticeship Levy (financial guidance should be sought through professional services)

Note: Successful applicants who do not hold GCSE Maths/English at grade C/4, or equivalent qualifications, will be strongly encouraged and supported to pursue an appropriate Maths/English qualification alongside this programme.

Career Options and Progression

Assessment Methods

Module Code	Module Title	Credits	Coursework &	Practical &	Examination &
Level 4
DTS401	Academic Literacies and Data Analysis Fundamentals	20	50	50
DTS402	Systems Development Fundamentals	20	100
DTS403	Network Fundamentals	20	50	30	20
DTS404	Cyber Security Fundamentals	20	100
DTS405	Database Modelling and Development Fundamentals	20	100
DTS431	Security Policies and Disaster Recovery	20	100
Level 5
DTS501	Business Information Systems	20	100
DTS502	IT Project Management	20	70		30
DTS503	Collaborative Project	40	80	20
DTS531	Cyber Security Processes and Management	20	70		30
DTS532	Web and Database Security	20	100
Level 6
DTS601	Corporate Strategies	20	70		30
DTS602	Cyber Ethics and Legal Issues	20	60		40
DTS631	Cyber Security Dissertation	40	100
DTS641	Distributed Systems Technologies	20	100
DTS632	Cyber Security Trends and Cryptography	20	60		40

We provide regular formative assessment opportunities, giving you the chance to submit drafts and practice tasks to gain the feedback to improve. We employ digital submission and feedback so that you can refer back to previous assessments to reflect upon your progress and build confidence for future assessments.

Assessments include a mix of written reports, design documentation, created assets and source code/program demos. Reflective writing and other methods will be employed in coursework so you have a wide range of skills, both academic and practical.

Graded assessment submissions are balanced throughout the academic year so that you can manage their workload effectively. Written exams will include application of theories to given scenarios and analysis of case studies: targeted revision and mock exams will aid you in preparing for these.

The assessments will involve practical work, including penetration testing, threat modelling, risk assessment, encryption and development of effective security policies and mechanisms. The Collaborative Project and Dissertation will include a development negotiated with employers and staff to ensure coverage of all necessary skills and that the project is of benefit to employers.

Throughout formative and graded assessments, there will be a requirement to link knowledge and skills developed in sessions to your workplace, ensuring that you adapt these well to your work environment and also gain the benefit of others’ experience in different contexts.

Teaching and Learning Methods

This programme is delivered on a day-release basis to allow you to balance study alongside work and other commitments. We use engaging teaching methods that effectively support the growth of your knowledge and skills; we also ensure that content relates directly to your workplace to increase your value to your employer.

Our teaching methods can be adapted to suit individual group preferences and include:

multimedia resources so you can work at your own pace
supported workshops to assist in coding, debugging and problem-solving
lectures
class discussions and analysis to develop you theoretical understanding
team projects to build your collaborative working skills

We also provide:

support with developing academic and employability skills
a focus on reflective practice to enhance your professional development;
approachable staff with an open door policy
up-to-date software tools, vulnerability scanning and audit practices
industry-relevant workrooms with sandboxed environments and virtualised servers

The recommended contact time for each 20-credit module is 200 hours. This is broken down as follows:

Level 4

Classroom contact - 48 hours
Work-based learning - 52 hours
Independent learning - 100 hours

Level 5

Classroom contact - 48 hours
Work-based learning - 32 hours
Independent learning - 120 hours

Level 6

Classroom contact - 48 hours
Work-based learning - 12 hours
Independent learning - 140 hours

Industry Placement and Field Trips

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of any courses within the College are approved to teach and/or assess the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering and/or assessing a given programme are appropriately qualified, with relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.