Woman working with a tablet in hand, with computer graphics across the image

Available with:

  • Foundation Year

Course Summary

Our BSc Cybersecurity with Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree aims to develop your skills and abilities extensively in the subject. In an era where digital threats are more sophisticated and pervasive than ever, this course prepares you to get ahead by blending essential cybersecurity skills with the latest AI advancements.

Core and optional modules throughout the degree not only provide you with excellent foundational knowledge, but also enable you to develop skills in problem-solving, research, analysis, and the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.

There is a high demand for the use of AI in improving the posture of cybersecurity domains and this course is designed to produce graduates that are capable of meeting this demand. The degree also aims to equip you with the knowledge and understanding to provide AI-based solutions and tools relevant to the industry, as well as for further academic studies. 

Why You'll Love It

What You'll Study

Computing Foundation Years, you are taught to understand key concepts relating to the role of processors, key algorithms, data analysis, HTML website creation, and programming. You will also learn how IT systems and infrastructures are protected from threats.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In your first year (Level 4) you will be introduced to the fundamentals of professional skills for computing: key skills include professionalism, cybersecurity and introduction to computers. You will also learn how complex databases can be managed and how software systems are developed using programming in Python/C++. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Year 2 (Level 5), will extend your theoretical knowledge and develop your ability to apply it to real-world problems, continuing the core themes started in Year 1, in addition to learning ethics and principles that are applied in Artificial Intelligence.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In your final year (Level 6) you will be ready to choose which themes are most relevant to your future needs. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately 6 and 12 hours per week depending upon the level of study and the complexity of the material being taught.

This course is delivered primarily through in-person learning supported by online learning materials. Students can expect to take part in labs, workshops, lectures and tutorials. Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers. 

On this course, you should expect to spend an average of 30 – 34 hours per week on independent study which might include following asynchronous learning material on the University’s VLE, using the University’s library, working with peers, and preparing work for assessment. 

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that students are exposed to the different types of tasks they might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of programming projects, software artefacts, portfolios of work, written work (e.g. essays) and presentations. In some modules, students will encounter class tests and practical assessments. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare students for graduate-level employment. 

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Study a Common First Year

This course shares a common first year with students on the Cybersecurity BSc Hons course.

This means that you’ll learn alongside students studying a similar discipline, helping to broaden your knowledge and exposure to other concepts, perspectives and professions in the first year of your degree.

As you learn and collaborate with students from other courses, you'll not only widen your social and professional network but also learn new skills that will set you up for success in your industry.

In your second and third years, you will progress to studying more specialist modules within Artificial Intelligence, developing your skills to become a World Ready graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

GCSE Maths grade C/grade 4 or above is also required

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers - BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

72UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

72 points

GCE A level

72 points overall, including grade D in A level

GCSE Maths grade C/grade 4 or above is also required

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

International Baccalaureate

24 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4

Scottish Highers: CCDD

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall

T Level

T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: MMP

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. 

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Students often elect to purchase a laptop, where students choose to do so, the cost it likely to be around £800-£1000.

Most software specific to your course is available free to students through agreements we have with the software vendors. 

Occasional, optional, field trips may be offered, depending on student demand, these are typically within the UK and where chargeable the cost is likely to be under £100. Students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

Where You'll Study Exton Park, Chester

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Cybersecurity graduates are in great demand across a variety of jobs, including in policing, in the government and government-run bodies, in industry from small companies to the very largest, in banking, and in the military and intelligence agencies. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.