Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or offensive security, is the discipline concerned with identifying and exploiting security vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks, with the authorisation of the system owner and the aim of uncovering weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. It draws on deep technical knowledge of how systems, networks and software work, and specifically on understanding how they can be compromised. As cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication, the demand for skilled professionals who can think like attackers in order to defend against them has become one of the most urgent challenges in information security.

At Abertay University you will study ethical hacking over four years of full-time study, at an institution that is right at the forefront of cybersecurity teaching and has established a strong track record of producing highly skilled security professionals. A year abroad is built into the programme, broadening your academic and professional perspective on how cybersecurity is approached in different national and organisational contexts. You will develop a comprehensive technical understanding of network security, web application security, cryptography, digital forensics, social engineering, malware analysis and the tools and methodologies used by both attackers and defenders.

The typical tariff of 168 reflects the technical and analytical demands of a degree that leads graduates directly into one of the most competitive and rewarding areas of the technology sector.

Graduates work as penetration testers, ethical hackers, cybersecurity analysts, security engineers, digital forensics specialists, incident responders and threat intelligence analysts. The demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals in the UK and globally significantly exceeds supply, making graduates from specialist programmes like Abertay's exceptionally well placed in the job market. Many graduates go on to professional certifications in penetration testing and security, and some pursue postgraduate research in cybersecurity, contributing to the development of the defensive knowledge that protects organisations from emerging threats.