Cyber Security and Networks (AAQ)

This new and exciting course gives you the knowledge, skills and experience needed to defend digital systems, investigate cyber incidents, and design secure network solutions. You will explore how cyber threats operate, how to protect hardware and software, and how to respond when security is breached. The balance between external exams and practical course work ensures you are well prepared for further education or a career in cyber security, digital forensics or network safety.

Students studying three A Levels and/or AAQs will be expected to have a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 5 and three at grade 4, including English Language and Mathematics.    

You’ll develop your technical, investigative, and problem-solving skills by learning how to secure, manage, and test computer networks for real-world applications.

Key units include:

• Fundamentals of cyber security

• Fundamentals of networks

• Preventing cyberattacks

Optional units include:

• Digital forensic investigation

• Penetration testing and incident response

• Implementing secure local area networks (LANs)

• Designing and communicating secure global computing systems

• Combines academic and vocational learning.

• 40% external assessment, 60% coursework.

• Flexible unit choices to suit your interests.

• Builds transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and project management.

• Designed to complement A Levels and other Level 3 qualifications.

Exam units: Fundamentals of cyber security and Fundamentals of networks, each 1 hour 15 minutes.

Coursework units are assessed by teachers and moderated by OCR.

Assignments are practical and based on real-world scenarios. You can resubmit coursework once and resit exams twice.                        

Exam board - OCR Cambridge

Students within this department enjoy various enrichment activities:

• Workshops on ethical hacking, penetration testing and incident simulation

• Guest speakers from cyber security professionals

• Apply cyber security principals to different scenarios via gaming

• Work experience opportunities with local businesses, IT firms or cyber security consultancies

• Expert teaching from experienced IT professionals.

• Access to industry-standard software and facilities.

• A supportive learning environment focused on your progression.

• Strong links with universities and employers.

This course opens doors to careers such as:

• Cyber Security Analyst

• Network Security Engineer

• Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker

• Digital Forensic Investigator

• Security Consultant

• Systems Architect / Secure Infrastructure Designer

• Incident Response Specialist

• Cyber Risk Consultant

• UCAS points awarded.

• Suitable for progression to university courses in IT, Business Analytics, or Digital Marketing.

• Available only in England.

• Assignments are refreshed every two years to stay current.