Do you love cyber security as a career, and have been wishing to venture into study in the UK? This might be a great opportunity for you. There are currently available visa sponsorship programs that sponsor interested and willing foreign students to study cyber security in the UK.
These programs can sometimes come with free visas, and can also cover other travel expenses, accommodation and school fees, depending on whether it comes with scholarships or not. This could be a life changing program to the beneficiaries.
What is Cyber Security, as a Course?
Before we dive in, let’s assume some don’t know what the course – cyber security is all about. Just as many at a young age don’t always know what some courses are all about, making it difficult to make choices of which course to study.
Having said this; Cyber security, as an academic course, is a study of how to protect computer systems, networks, and digital information from cyber threats such as hacking, malware, data breaches, and online fraud. It is a specialized area in computer science and information technology that trains students to understand how cyber attacks happen and how to prevent them.
Is Cyber Security a Relevant Course?
Before you dive into studying any course in the University, it is important to check and make sure you are not going there to waste your precious time; it is very important to check and make sure you are studying the right course. Because you cannot afford to spend the entire years studying a course that no one needs in the society; you cannot afford to spend the years studying a course that cannot be applied in any field. You have to study a course that can make you very much employable or independent.
Having said these, I can tell you that cyber security is a very relevant course even in this computer generation. In fact it’s one the most sought after courses today especially in the UK. Many businesses like banks, telecom companies, and government agencies rely heavily on the service of cyber security experts, to protect their websites and softwares from attacks.
Can I Study Cyber Security with Visa Sponsorship in UK?
Yes, you can study cyber security with a visa sponsorship program in the UK. There are visa sponsorship programs in the UK which sponsor interested foreign students to come and study cyber security in the UK. These sponsorship programs are usually offered by some universities in UK, private companies, Non-governmental Organizations, and sometimes Government agencies.
Why are UK Universities and Agencies Sponsoring Foreign Students for Cyber Security?
A close watch to many cyber security programs in UK today, shows that there are many UK universities always offering cyber security scholarships for international students. Sometimes the sponsorship program can come inform of scholarship, research funding, or any form of partnership that can make it easier for foreign students to afford studying the course.
Then why are they doing that? Why are they eager to give out such favour to foreign students? Let’s look at some reasons:
- Shortage of Cyber Security Experts
Yes, there are not many cyber security experts currently, in many countries including the UK. There are actually populations in the UK, but many are already engaged with one thing or the other. And there are many companies and agencies that require cyber security services, meanwhile there are not enough available to serve them. In this, they resort to offering sponsorship programs to encourage foreign students to come over to study the course and fill in the gap.
- Cyber Threats Are a Global Problem
Cyber security is not only a matter of one country. Cyber attacks can come from anywhere in the world and can target organizations in any country. For example: cyber attacks can come from another country to attack software of a company in the UK.
Because of this, cyber security has become an international field. Universities often want students from different countries because they bring diverse perspectives and experiences.
A classroom with students from Africa, Asia, Europe, and other regions allows discussions about different cyber threats, security strategies, and digital environments.
This global perspective is valuable when training professionals who will work in international cyber defense.
Universities Offering Cyber Security in UK
As said before, there are many universities in the UK that are always offering visa sponsorship programs for foreign students to come and study cyber security in the UK. Let’s look at some of them:
1. Royal Holloway, University of London
One of the top Universities that offer cyber security in the UK is Royal Holloway, University of London. The university is known to have one of the oldest and most respected cyber security research centers in the world. The research center is called the Information Security Group (ISG). Some of the cyber security courses offered in Royal Holloway are: MSc Information Security, and BSc Computer Science (Information Security).
2. Abertay University
Another renowned university in the UK that offers cyber security courses is Abertay University. Some of the courses offered by the University are: BSc Ethical Hacking, MSc Cyber Security.
3. University of South Wales
The University of South Wales is well known to be the home to the National Cyber Security Academy, and they focus on practical cyber security training. They offer both BSc Applied Cyber Security and MSc Cyber Security.
Cyber Security Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for cyber security courses in the UK vary from institution to institution; however, we have prepared below the tuition fee of some selected institutions that offer cyber security courses in the UK.
| S/N | University | Type of Program | Duration | Estimated Tuition Fee (International Students) |
| 1 | Royal Holloway, University of London | MSc Information Security / Cyber Security | 1 year | £29,000 – £30,000 per year |
| 2 | Abertay University | BSc Ethical Hacking & Cyber Security / MSc Cyber Security | 3 – 4 years (BSc) / 1 year (MSc) | £15,000 – £19,950 per year |
| 3 | University of South Wales | BSc Applied Cyber Security / MSc Cyber Security | 3 – 4 years (BSc) / 1 year (MSc) | £14,000 – £17,900 per year |
| 4 | University of Birmingham | BSc Computer Science with Cyber Security / MSc Cyber Security | 3 years (BSc) / 1 year (MSc) | £24,000 – £31,000 per year |
| 5 | University of Glasgow | MSc Information Security / Cyber Security | 1 year | £27,000 – £32,000 per year |
Visa Types Needed to Study Cyber Security in the UK
To study cyber security in the UK, you need a visa to get in there; and there are specific visa types that are accepted for the study. However, if you are going through a sponsorship program, the organization offering the sponsorship is usually the one to bear the cost. Now let’s look at some of the visa types:
1. UK Student Visa
If you want to study cyber security in the UK, the student visa is the most common type of visa that would be required of you. It is the most common type of visa used by international students studying in universities in the UK. So If you are going for a full-time cyber security course, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree, this is the visa you will most likely need.
To apply for a Student visa, you must first receive an offer from a UK university that is licensed to sponsor international students. Once accepted, the university will issue a document known as a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which you will use for your visa application.
2. Short-Term Study Visa
Another type of visa that can serve for cyber security related programs is the Short-term Study Visa. This type of visa is used for short course or training programs that last less than 6 months. Maybe programs like: attending cyber security workshops or specialized training programs. However, this visa is not suitable for full university degrees..
3. Graduate Visa
Another type of visa that can be relevant after your cyber security course, is the Graduate Visa. This type of visa allows graduates to remain in the UK and work after completing their studies. The Graduate visa is not used for studying itself, but it becomes relevant once your course is completed.
Requirements for Cyber Security Course in UK
To study cyber security with visa sponsorship program in the UK, there are certain requirements you need to meet. Some of the requirements are:
- Applicant must be up to 18 years
- Undergraduate applicant must possess high school certificate
- Applicant must come from eligible country.
- Applicant must possess some personal documents like: CV, ID Card, passport, etc.
How to Apply
Now you have learned much about the cyber security course in the UK, the question now becomes: how do I apply? Let’s look at the guide on how to go about it.
To apply for the course, you have to first look out for institutions that usually sponsor for such programs; of which some of them are the Royal Holloway, and so on.
They usually publish the program on their website, you can regularly check their websites to learn the period of the year that they are open for such a program. Follow the application instructions there and submit your application. Then wait for feedback for the next step after the application.
