Higher Level Apprenticeship in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics

General Entry Requirements

The general entry requirements below identify the minimum qualifications needed to apply for the programme.Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis on application.

You are required to upload a copy of your qualification certificates to show how you meet the entry requirements for the programme prior to enrolment.

Applications will also require successful completion of the admissions process.

GCSE/ Level 2 Requirements  

• GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills Communication, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.

AND

• GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.

AND  

• 2 at GCSE level (grades A*-C*/9-4), or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.

Course Entry Requirements

UCAS 

A minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points including:  

• GCE A level (A2): Typical grade profile DD

OR  

• [RQF] Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with overall award profile PPP  

OR  

• Access to HE Diploma (NI): 45% overall   

OR  

• An equivalent in an approved alternative qualification

Accreditation of Prior Learning   

Alternatively, you can provide evidence of your ability to undertake the programme by meeting the requirements for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process, either through Accredited Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).   Further details on APL can be found in the HE Admissions Process section of our website and the HE Accreditation of Prior Learning SOP.

International Students English Language Requirements  

International applicants, from Non-Native English speaking countries, must have evidence of English Language Level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages:  

• IELTS 6.0 (Academic) (minimum of 5.5 in all skills)   
• PTE Academic 51 (minimum of 46 in each part)  
• Or equivalent UKVI-approved English Language Test  

For further information please contact our International Department at international@serc.ac.uk  

Higher Level Apprenticeship Eligibility

To be eligible for a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA), in addition to the entry requirements identified above, you need to:

• be employed or be about to take up permanent paid employment as an apprentice, or be an existing employee moving to a new job role, allowing you to gain appropriate industrial experience, with a Northern Ireland based company (does not include public sector) who is willing to support you as an HLA candidate,
• work a minimum of 21 hours per week (which includes time for ‘off-the-job’ training),
• be the minimum school leaving age in Northern Ireland.

Students are assessed using a range of different methods. These include examinations, coursework, project-based learning, presentations, practical, posters, leaflets, role-play, and case studies. This is dependent on the requirements of each unit of study. Oral, written and online feedback will be provided during your course to help improve and monitor performance.

Successful completion of this course could lead to either a career in the computing industry or to related degree programmes.  SERC offer a 1 year degree top-up for this programme.

The course provides the opportunity to undertake a placement within the computing industry to assist you in developing real-life experience and practical skills that employers want. You will learn transferable skills such as communication, organisational skills, problem solving and critical thinking which will help you to apply for relevant jobs within the computing industry. The programme is designed to facilitate your development of a range of graduate qualities that are highly valued in the workplace. 

None

Open University

Modules include:

• Computational Mathematics
• Computer Systems
• Programming Fundamentals
• Incident Response
• Web Technologies and Applications
• Network Infrastructure
• Cloud Security
• Network Security
• IoT Security
• Innovative Delivery of Mobile Applications
• Work-based Learning