2.5-Term Pathway - Foundation Certificate for Science and Engineering - Transfer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Computer Network Safety

Program Description

Build a future by studying in the UK, with a pathway course at Kaplan International College (KIC) London. Situated in the world’s top academic city (QS Best Student Cities 2019), the College will prepare students for a university degree, and for a successful career.

Study at one of the most respected international colleges in London, and progress to one of 8 universities, including the University of Westminster.

The commercially well-connected University of Westminster is hugely international. Students can study alongside students from nearly 170 countries.

Security is a vital aspect of any networked system, especially as the dependency on network infrastructures has grown over the past few decades. This course builds on more than ten years of experience in education in network design and support, and its aim is to produce network engineers with a strong background in security.

The course focuses on three main aspects – communication, network design and implementation, and security. Students will develop the knowledge and technical expertise to be able to take on specific responsibility within a network team or as a team leader for the security aspects of that network, particularly in industries such as banking, where security is crucial.

Graduates have gone on to work in the banking sector, as well as organisations such as BT, HP, Cisco, Dell, Google Enterprise, Huawei Technologies and Quinix, as well as smaller private companies.

The programme incorporates the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum,  giving students who wish to take the external examinations the knowledge to complete the CCNA Routing and Switching as well as the CCNA Security qualification by the end of the course.

Students will study the fundamental principles of computing and network engineering, and develop the connection between these and a broad range of network systems, with special emphasis on the optimisation of converged networks. They will also be encouraged to use initiative and confidence in approaching network engineering problems, investigating solutions using a blend of analytical and practical skills.

The course offers a short-term, work-based learning experience that will give students the opportunity to work on a real-life problem, which is normally set by an external organisation as a small-scale project. This experience will allow students to put theory into practice by applying new knowledge and skills to address a real-life situation, usually within the context of a business-related problem.

In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry (work placement) after completing the second year of study. This will help them to gain work experience and enhance employability after they graduate. They will be offered help and support to find and secure placement opportunities through various workshops and events organised by the Careers and Employability Service and the course team. Typically, students will be assigned to roles involving tasks related to network security and/or network software engineering.

The course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).