Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computing for England Course in Scarborough. Classes run at CU Scarborough, full-time over two years. This Pearson Edexcel qualification focuses on cyber security, covering cyber threats and vulnerabilities, cyber defence techniques, and incident response. You'll study the nature of cybercrime, information assurance, ICT infrastructure vulnerabilities, and strategic responses to cyber threats. The course is mapped to occupational standards set by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, supporting progression to employment or further study. Entry requires 80 UCAS tariff points, five GCSEs graded 4 to 9 including Maths and English, and at least two A-levels or a BTEC equivalent.
Who this course is for
Students will explore fundamental principles as well as leading-edge concepts, terminologies, models, and hardening methods. Students will assess the types of malicious activity and potential targets, and the role everyone has in maintaining cyber resilience. On successful completion of this course, students will have explored the following; the nature of cybercrime and cyber threat actors, looked into the roles and responsibilities in relation to information assurance, assessed the threats to, and vulnerabilities in ICT infrastructure, investigated strategic responses to cyber security threats. The pathways at both Level 4 and Level 5 are mapped to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s Occupational Standards and professional body standards with the aim of providing professional status Level 5 HND and progression to direct employment, upon successful completion of this course. The vendor-accredited certification indicates that the course meets industry standards and prepares students with the necessary knowledge and skills required to enter the workforce. Additionally, obtaining a vendor-accredited certification can demonstrate to employers that a student has achieved a certain level of expertise and competence in a particular area.
Entry requirements
80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification. At CU Group we are committed to recognising achievements in the context of which they were achieved as we understand that barriers may make it more challenging for some applicants to achieve course entry requirements.
What you will learn
You'll explore the nature of cybercrime and the tactics used by cyber threat actors.
You'll assess types of malicious activity and identify potential targets in ICT systems.
You'll investigate threats to and vulnerabilities in ICT infrastructure.
You'll study cyber defence techniques and incident response methods.
You'll examine roles and responsibilities in information assurance.
You'll analyse strategic responses to cyber security threats at an organisational level.
You'll apply leading-edge concepts, models, and system hardening methods used in the industry.
How you will learn
You'll study in the classroom full-time over two years, with daytime sessions at CU Scarborough. Learning is built around both foundational principles and current industry concepts. Assessment is through coursework and practical tasks mapped to occupational and professional body standards. The course includes vendor-accredited certification elements, which demonstrate a defined level of competence to employers.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. CU Scarborough will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Cyber security analyst: monitoring and responding to security threats
Information security officer: managing data protection and compliance
Network security engineer: protecting and maintaining secure network infrastructure
IT security consultant: advising organisations on cyber risk and defence
Incident response analyst: investigating and containing security breaches
Penetration tester: testing systems for vulnerabilities before attackers do
SOC analyst: working in a security operations centre on live threat detection
What you could study next
A Level 6 degree in Cyber Security or Computing: the HND gives you a strong foundation for a final-year top-up degree at many universities.
Vendor certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), or CISSP: industry-recognised credentials that strengthen your CV for specialist roles.
A degree apprenticeship in Cyber Security: combines further study with paid employment if you want to earn while you learn at the next level.
