University of Worcester launches cyber security degree

The first class in cyber security at the University of Worcester will take place on Tuesday morning

The University of Worcester has launched a new undergraduate course in cyber security a year earlier than planned following strong interest.

A cohort of 23 students are set to have their first class on Tuesday.

According to lecturer Richard Wilkinson, about 50% of businesses have a cyber security need they are not meeting.

He said he hoped the new degree would help address a current 11,000 shortfall of cyber security staff.

Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, Mr Wilkinson said: "It is about bringing in the next generation of cyber security professionals."

He added of the course: "There has been a lot of interest. We got so much interest we had to bring it forward a year."

The students will get their first taste of cyber security on Tuesday in the new cyber security lab.

The facility makes it possible to simulate various different hacking attacks.

The course is designed to equip the students with the skills to help defend businesses and solve any potential problems quickly.

There are also no entry requirements in regards to what applicants have studied before, meaning they do not need a computing background.

As long as applicants met the requirement of 96 UCAS points, Mr Wilkinson said students would be taught from the ground up.