Free Level 2 Cyber Security Course Online – Activate Learning at City of Oxford College

CostFREE
Duration24 weeks
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryOnline
Start1 Sep 2026
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body

About this course

Free Level 2 Cyber Security Course. Study online, at your own pace, from home. This fully self-directed course runs over 24 weeks and gives you a solid grounding in cyber security principles, covering topics such as online threats, network security, and how organisations protect their data. You'll need a laptop to study and must be 19 or over at the start of the academic year. Assessment is online, and you'll have assessor support throughout. A free cyber security course for adults who need flexibility around work, family, or other commitments.

Who this course is for

Study this course FREE, with no course fees! This is a fully online, self-directed, independent study course with assessor support and guidance. Students must have use of a laptop to complete this course and must be aged 19+ at the beginning of the academic year (31 August). This 24-week course has a flexible start date and will run until 31 July 2024. Our online course is a great introduction for anyone looking to begin their career in cyber security. With complex online scams and cyber-crime, organisations must have an understanding of preventative measures to maintain cyber security. Eligibility Criteria – this course is FREE if you: are aged 19+, live in England, not within a non-funded postcode region, have been in the EU for three years for purposes other than study (and able to provide documentation), are not currently enrolled on an apprenticeship, have not completed any part of the course before, . Please note: If aged 19-23 you must have a Level 2 qualification.. For further information please visit the Actiate Learning Website at https://www.activatelearning.ac.uk

Entry requirements

For further information please visit the Actiate Learning Website at https://www.activatelearning.ac.uk

What you will learn

  • You'll understand the main types of cyber threats and how they work.
  • You'll learn how networks are secured against unauthorised access.
  • You'll explore how organisations identify and manage cyber security risks.
  • You'll understand the principles of data protection and relevant legislation.
  • You'll learn about safe online practices and how to reduce vulnerability to attacks.
  • You'll gain an overview of the tools and techniques used in cyber security roles.

How you will learn

This is a fully online, self-directed course. You study independently, working through materials at a pace that suits you. An assessor provides support and guidance throughout. Assessment is based on written assignments and online tasks completed during the course. You do not need to attend a physical centre at any point.

What you will need to bring

You'll need your own laptop to complete this course. Activate Learning at City of Oxford College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Cyber Security Analyst: monitor systems and respond to threats
  • IT Support Technician: frontline technical support with security awareness
  • Network Support Analyst: maintain and secure organisational networks
  • Information Security Administrator: manage access controls and security policies
  • Junior Penetration Tester: entry-level role testing systems for vulnerabilities
  • Data Protection Officer (junior): support compliance with data protection law

What you could study next

A level 2 cyber security qualification is a strong starting point for further study. A Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Cyber Security would take your knowledge deeper and open doors to more technical roles. From there, CompTIA Security+ is a widely used vendor-neutral certification that many employers look for in cyber security analyst roles. Degree-level study in cyber security or ethical hacking is also an option if you want to move into specialist or senior positions.

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