I wanna study cyber security

Hello, this is my first post here

I'm currently in Y11 and I finally decided on what I wanna do. I decided I want to study cyber security. But I have a little problem... I'm not taking computer science as a GCSE... so my question is: is it possible to take the exam anyway, even though I haven't been in any actual lessons? I would revise by myself at home from other resources.

And another question. What colleges or sixth forms in the UK offer the best computer science course? What do you recommend me?

Thanks very much for your attention!!

Reply 1

GiantKiwi

19

Original post by moglipianist

Hello, this is my first post here

I'm currently in Y11 and I finally decided on what I wanna do. I decided I want to study cyber security. But I have a little problem... I'm not taking computer science as a GCSE... so my question is: is it possible to take the exam anyway, even though I haven't been in any actual lessons? I would revise by myself at home from other resources.

And another question. What colleges or sixth forms in the UK offer the best computer science course? What do you recommend me?

Thanks very much for your attention!!

Just an FYI, Computer Science at GCSE is not going to be a definitive for whether you continue down this path, I'm part way through a part time Masters roughly on the subject of CyberSec, despite the fact I never took anything remotely IT related for GCSE or A-Level.

If you can prove an affinity for working within the field in your own time, universities mostly won't care that you lack CS at those levels, and when it comes to employment even the UK's biggest employer's in the area only generally care about either practical experience and/or relevant degree.

Reply 2

Andy98

20

Original post by moglipianist

Hello, this is my first post here

I'm currently in Y11 and I finally decided on what I wanna do. I decided I want to study cyber security. But I have a little problem... I'm not taking computer science as a GCSE... so my question is: is it possible to take the exam anyway, even though I haven't been in any actual lessons? I would revise by myself at home from other resources.

And another question. What colleges or sixth forms in the UK offer the best computer science course? What do you recommend me?

Thanks very much for your attention!!

As someone about to start a degree in computer science: make sure you stick at it with maths - you need a B at A-level maths realistically, beyond that there are no subject specific requirements.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 3

GiantKiwi

19

Original post by Andy98

you need a B at A-level maths realistically, beyond that there are no subject specific requirements.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Nope. It doesn't really have any bearing on university applications unless you specifically want to get into red brick or russell group universities. Both cases, will take students who have proven themselves capable through other avenues, a colleague of mine at a previous job had 2 GCSE's, both F's. He was however an exceptionally talented analyst, a literal born affinity for spotting continuity errors in big data, and had been doing so before going to university (University of Edinburgh). That was what got him past the interview.

Read around the subject, look at the theory and then application of a broad spectrum of topics related to CS, and enter things like GCHQ's CyberSecurity Challenge, anything you can do to stand out from the thousands of potential competitors will make more of a difference than what GCSE's/A-Level's you took.

Reply 4

Andy98

20

Original post by iainvg

Nope. It doesn't really have any bearing on university applications unless you specifically want to get into red brick or russell group universities. Both cases, will take students who have proven themselves capable through other avenues, a colleague of mine at a previous job had 2 GCSE's, both F's. He was however an exceptionally talented analyst, a literal born affinity for spotting continuity errors in big data, and had been doing so before going to university (University of Edinburgh). That was what got him past the interview.

Read around the subject, look at the theory and then application of a broad spectrum of topics related to CS, and enter things like GCHQ's CyberSecurity Challenge, anything you can do to stand out from the thousands of potential competitors will make more of a difference than what GCSE's/A-Level's you took.

True, but the kid seems hell bent on the academia - plus I found that the maths you use on the university courses are a lot similar to A-Level maths (sure they'll teach you it but it's nice having that knowledge before because it's bloody difficult when first learning it

Posted from TSR Mobile

Then study it.

OP

Thanks for answering!

So, what would be the best A-level or BTEC to do if I'm gonna study cyber security in uni?

Reply 7

0xFFFFail

15

by cyber security would you include cryptography under this field? Because if so then maths would be mandatory.

Reply 8

yt7777

18

Original post by moglipianist

Thanks for answering!

So, what would be the best A-level or BTEC to do if I'm gonna study cyber security in uni?

Personally I believe studying a degree in Cyber Security will not be the best route into this field, it would be better to do straight Computer Science as an undergraduate degree and then specialise later either through a Masters or a Graduate Scheme with a company, so many cyber security degrees are so awful and dont cover the important fundamental aspects of the subject. after talking with friends it seems i had a far greater knowledge of cyber security from just doing one module on my Computer Science degree.Like most wont do any maths modules onthe degree and as someone mentioned how on earth do you plan on properly plan on understanding Cryptography with a good mathematical grounding which a computer science degree gives you

It doesnt matter too much, i did a BTEC in IT and got D*D*D*, if you do 3 A levels make sure you take Maths or Computing or preferably both as well as a third STEM subject, obviously not mandatory but will help you down the line.

I wanna study cyber security

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