HNC Cyber Security

Aimed at people curious about how attackers get into systems and how defenders stop them, this Higher National Certificate combines hands-on exercises with theory. It is taught at Gardyne Campus on three days a week, totalling sixteen hours, across a 32-week full-time year at SCQF level 7. The syllabus takes in ethical hacking, penetration testing, digital forensics, protecting data, network design and defence, and programming. Working in teams is treated as a subject in its own right. Industry standards and accepted practice frame the teaching throughout. Every subject is judged continuously, using quizzes, reports, talks, coding tasks or forensic analysis, and the year ends with a graded unit exam. Entry usually requires four National 5 passes at A or B plus a STEM Higher, though a Foundation Apprenticeship, internal progression or relevant experience can also qualify. A personal statement is required and an interview may follow. Successful students can step up to the second-year diploma in this discipline, or onto degrees covering security, computing and wider technology.