BSc (Hons) Software Development with Cyber Security
Plan for your future with this Software Development degree developed in partnership with business and delivered jointly by the University of Stirling and Forth Valley College. Become a highly employable, work-ready IT professional graduate.
Key facts
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date August 2023
- Duration 48 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code T5G6
Overview
We’ve developed our BSc (Hons) Software Development with Cyber Security course with our business partners in the IT sector to help solve their skills shortages and address the industry’s needs. According to the 2020 Scotland IS Scottish Technology Industry survey, about 100,000 people are working in digital technologies professions. This is a growth of 9% since 2016. The growth has been strongest in web design and development, IT business analysts, architects and systems designers, programmers and software development professionals. Our computing graduates have an excellent track record in finding well-paid jobs because of our focus on in-depth practical expertise.
As you study, you’ll progress from the fundamentals of computer systems and software development to advanced knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Security. You’ll learn everything you need to become a highly employable and sought after software development graduate.
We deliver our BSc (Hons) Software Development with Cyber Security in partnership with Forth Valley College to combine the strengths from both sites. Classes for the first two years will be delivered at Forth Valley College’s campus in Falkirk. Classes for the last two years will be delivered at the University of Stirling campus. Our staff are active in research and work with industry to help the course evolve according to the needs of the ICT sector, both in Scotland and across the world.
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
Each year we offer the following prizes:
- Outstanding performance in 3rd year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 4th year Computing Science modules
- A Faculty research prize for an outstanding research project
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
BBB
GCE A-levels
BB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
MMM
Essential subjects
To include one of Chemistry, Computing, Mathematics or Physics.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other Scottish qualifications
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
To include one of Chemistry, Computing, Mathematics or Physics.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Essential subjects
To include one of Chemistry, Computing, Mathematics or Physics.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
Additional information
Start dates
This four-year course is a collaboration between Forth Valley College and the University of Stirling. In Years 1 and 2, you will be taught at Forth Valley College's Stirling Campus, where the teaching terms start in August each year (see Forth Valley College's term dates). You will then transfer to the University of Stirling for Years 3 and 4, where the teaching semesters start in September each year (see University of Stirling's semester dates).
How to apply
To apply for a full-time undergraduate degree, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply for up to five courses on your application.
Direct applications
If you would like to apply only for this integrated degree course, you can use our direct application form (instead of completing a UCAS application for multiple course choices). Email admissions@stir.ac.uk with the name of the course you want to apply for, and we will send you a link to the direct application form. We can also help you to complete the form if you need.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact Forth Valley College’s University Partnership Officer, Lisa Baxter at lisa.baxter@forthvalley.ac.uk.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
This course is a collaboration between Forth Valley College and the University of Stirling. You will spend the first two years of this four-year course at Forth Valley College, before transferring to the University for Years 3 and 4. During Year 2 at the College, students will also take a module at the University to support the transition from the college to the University environment. The course contains a three-month industrial summer placement after Year 3. Year 3 contains a professional development course, which is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to secure a placement and, ultimately, a job.
Course structure
During the first two years at Forth Valley College you will develop your practical skills in software development and cyber security. At university during your third and fourth year you will develop skills in advanced topics including concurrent and distributed systems, cyber security, machine learning, and web services. You’ll carry out an independent project in your final year under the guidance of a project supervisor, that will give you the opportunity to develop a major piece of work from initial requirements to final delivery.
Within Forth Valley College and the University of Stirling many staff are involved in research projects in their subject area that allow them to link directly with business and freshen their knowledge. Computing Science at Stirling is part of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) Scotland-wide pooling initiative in research and knowledge exchange.
Employers increasingly look for practical experience and extracurricular activities in addition to a good degree. At Forth Valley College and at the University of Stirling, you’re encouraged to take part in activities that extend and utilise your knowledge. There are opportunities for taking part in vendor certification of your practical skills at Forth Valley College. As a STEM-assured (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) college, you can participate in STEM events such as STEM club and STEM Ambassador opportunities. At Stirling, you are encouraged to participate in the student-led Stirling Computing Club.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
Computing Science at Stirling has been ranked 7th in the UK in the 2022 Guardian University Guide. Furthermore, the University of Stirling have been awarded five star excellence for teaching by the QS Stars University Ratings 2021.
Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. You’ll learn about Computing Science through lectures, small tutorial groups and most of all through practical labs, where concepts taught in lectures are implemented and tested.
Computing Science at Stirling is part of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) Scotland-wide pooling initiative in research and knowledge exchange, as well as The DataLab, Scotland's Innovation Centre for data and AI.
Our research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading research. Our staff are engaged with funded research from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as well as funding from the European Union FP7 Programme, and other UK Research Councils and funding agencies.
Assessment
Software Development with Cyber Security is taught as a very practical subject, and almost all modules include practical assignments. Typically these count for 50 percent of the assessment grade, with the remainder given to the examination.
For an Honours degree, the grades for all advanced modules taken in semesters 5–8 are combined to give your final degree classification.
Work placement opportunities
We help our students to build strong links with industry through three-month summer placements. These are offered to third year students. Placement opportunities are available with local SMEs as well as large corporate companies. Year 3 contains a professional development course, which is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to secure a placement and, ultimately, job.
Our Careers and Employability Service can help you secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability or think about further study.
Contact
Dr Mario Kolberg SFHEA SMIEEE
Computing Science and Mathematics
University of Stirling
Stirling FK9 4LA
Scotland, UK
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820 * |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| European Union students | £15,900 | £16,400 |
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £15,900 | £16,400 |
Scottish students
* This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Undergraduate Scholarship, which is worth up to £30,000 over the duration of your course.
Students from the Republic of Ireland should see the fee and funding information under England, Wales, NI and Republic of Ireland.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding opportunities
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
What jobs can you get with a BSc (Hons) Software Development with Cyber Security degree?
This degree will place you at the forefront of computing in a web-based world. Our industry placements will ease your transition into the job market. From software development to data analysis, our computer science graduates have a range of opportunities open to them.
According to the 2020 ScotlandIS Scottish Technology Industry survey, about 100,000 people are working in digital technologies professions. This is a growth of 9% since 2016. The growth has been strongest in web design and development, IT business analysts, architects and systems designers, programmers and software development professionals.
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- software engineer
- systems designer
- systems analyst
- systems architect
- systems engineer
- software developer
- web developer
- project manager
- mobile app developer
- Java developer
As a systems analyst, you’ll work on solving computer problems. This might involve adapting existing systems or using new technologies to design a new software solution. In doing so, you’ll design software, write code, and test and fix software applications. You might also be involved in providing documentation for users. Typically you would work as part of a larger team.
IT consultants work closely with clients and advise them on how to use computer technology and applications to best meet their business needs. You’ll work with clients to improve their efficiency of using computer systems. This may involve the adaptation/customisation of software applications, or the development of custom applications for the specific needs of the customer. As well as technical duties, you may be involved in project management.
Applications developers translate software requirements into programming code, and will usually specialise in a specific area, such as computer games or web technology. Often developers work as part of a larger team. You may be in charge of developing a certain component or part of a larger application.
Our computing graduates have an excellent track record in finding well-paid jobs, especially as this course is designed to solve the problem of a major skills shortage within the IT industry in Scotland and the UK more generally. Previous students have been very successful in obtaining suitable employment in a diversity of posts – with small companies, with major international organisations including Accenture, IBM, Google, Microsoft, British Telecom, Natural Power and major financial institutions such as JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley, as well as with local authority and government bodies.
Employability skills
Engagement with potential employers, work-based learning and the year-long project in your final year will develop your professional and computer skills. Throughout the course you’re encouraged to develop personal effectiveness skills to allow you to complete work in a professional and timely manner.
The programme offers the opportunity for you to develop your employability skills through a professional development module in third year and an industrial placement in the summer after Year 3.
Companies we work with
We have connections with the following organisation via placements, internships and industrial liaison:
- Accenture
- ARM
- Calnex Solutions
- Diagio
- GE Digital
- Honeywell
- JP Morgan
- Mage Control Systems
- Modus Scotland
- Morgan Stanley
- Natural Power
- NHS
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Sainsbury's Bank
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Scottish Government
- Scottish Water
- Sports Scotland
- Verint
- Wood MacKenzie
Flexible study
This course is not available as a combined degree.