This programme focuses primarily on network engineering covering the design, configuration, and optimisation of computer networks that underpin today’s digital world. You will gain hands-on experience working with modern technologies, from routing and switching to cloud-based infrastructure and wireless communication.

Alongside this strong engineering foundation, you will develop integrated cybersecurity expertise, enabling you to secure and maintain robust network systems. The programme bridges the gap between traditional network design and the modern need for security-aware engineering.

You will explore areas including:

Network architecture and protocols

Cloud and virtualised systems

Security fundamentals and cryptography

Digital forensics

Internet of Things (IoT) security

Advanced network forensics

Through practical labs, simulations, and real-world projects, you’ll learn how to design networks that are both high-performing and secure.

A year-long work placement opportunity allows you to apply your skills in a professional setting and enhance your employability before graduation.

We actively seek feedback from both our students and industry professionals to ensure our courses remain relevant and aligned with current sector needs. As a result of this valuable input, the Computer Systems and Networks course has been renamed from September 2025. The new title better reflects the strong cyber security focus that has always been a key part of the course, ensuring the name clearly represents its content and the skills our graduates develop.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

Start date:

UCAS code:

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WHERE WILL I BE TAUGHT?

School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

Find out more about what's going on in our School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.

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Over four years, you’ll develop the ability to:

Design and evaluate network systems hardware and software.

Understand the principles of network operation, including data storage, transmission, and analysis.

Implement secure communication systems across distributed environments.

Specify and integrate hardware and software for large-scale, networked services.

Apply engineering principles to secure networked applications and services.

Security-related modules include:

Scripting for Cybersecurity and Networks, Digital Forensics, Network Security & Cryptography, Security Systems for IoT, Security Testing, and Advanced Network Forensics.

This integrated approach ensures you graduate with a comprehensive education in both network engineering and cybersecurity, ready to tackle real-world challenges in an increasingly connected environment.

How you’ll be taught

Lectures and tutorials.

Assessments

A mixture of practical assignments, essays and exams.

Work placement

A year long Work Based Learning module is available for this programme which can be undertaken in 3rd year which consists of 60 credits.

In 2nd year, students attend timetabled Placement Preparation sessions which provides comprehensive information about sourcing a placement, tips for enhancing CVs, cover letters and interview preparation. A Student Futures Placement Coordinator is available to support students with their placement applications and approving placements as part of the course. Whilst on placement, students undertake work-related assessments alongside gaining valuable work experience. If this option is chosen, the course duration will be extended by one trimester.

If students are not undertaking the yearlong placement, then there is a Group Project or the Professional Internship Module in Year 3 (one trimester) which gives students the opportunity to complete a project for an external client.

Find out more about Computing Placements here.

Study abroad

International study is available, and is intended to develop overall graduate attributes and global citizenship.

Facilities

This course is taught in person at our Merchiston campus.

Why choose this programme?

This degree goes beyond traditional networking it prepares you to engineer and secure the digital backbone of the future.

You should choose this programme if you want to:

Master the fundamentals of network engineering from routing and switching to cloud and wireless systems.

Gain in-demand cybersecurity expertise including cryptography, forensics, and ethical hacking.

Learn by doing in cutting-edge network and cybersecurity labs.

Work with real industry tools and technologies, building skills that employers actively seek.

Take advantage of a placement year to gain hands-on professional experience.

Be taught by academics and researchers working on advanced topics such as IoT security, network resilience, and cyber threat detection.

At Edinburgh Napier University, we don’t just train engineers we develop problem solvers, innovators, and digital defenders ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

International students

Admissions policies

What are the entry requirements for Network Engineering and Cyber Security?

Entry requirements Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the Undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum year 1

Scottish Higher

Standard Entry Requirement BBBB National 5 grade C in Maths and English.

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement BBCC National 5 grade C in Maths and English.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here Understanding our entry requirements for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

GCSE grade C/4 in Maths and English.

Irish Leaving Certificate

H2, H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level and grade O4 in Ordinary Level Maths and English.

Scottish HNC

HNC with C in the graded unit in any subject

National 5 C in Maths.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit)

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

Minimum grades MM (Merit, Merit) and A Level grade C GCSE grade C/4 in English and Maths.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4. Grade 4 in SL Maths and English.

European Baccalaureate

Pass at 70% or above with grade 7 in three subjects. Grade 6 in Maths and English.

Minimum year 2

HNC - Pass in Cyber Security, Computing, Computer Networking or Computer Networking; Internet Technology with B in the graded unit.

Other HNC qualifications may be considered, please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk for advice

Scottish Advanced Higher

Minimum grades DDD (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject.

Minimum year 3

HND - Pass in Cyber Security, Computing: Technical Support, Computer Networking or Computer Networking; Internet Technology with Grade B at SCQF Level 8 in the graded unit.

Other HND qualifications may be considered, please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk for advice.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:

BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery

MSc Nursing courses

All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study.

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies

Postgraduate admissions policies

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Undergraduate student fees and funding information

Postgraduate student fees and funding information

International student fees and funding information

Tuition fees

Students from

Scotland

England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland

Overseas and EU

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Careers & employability

What can you do with a BEng (Hons) Network Engineering and Cyber Security degree?

Graduates from this programme enter a wide range of roles across IT, telecommunications, and security sectors. You’ll gain the technical expertise to manage, design, and protect networks in modern organisations skills that are in constant demand across industries.

Career opportunities include:

Network Engineer

Network Systems Administrator

Network Architect

Cybersecurity Analyst

Technical Support Specialist

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

Through hands-on labs and projects, you will build practical experience in configuring routers, firewalls, and networked systems while learning to defend them from modern cyber threats.

You’ll also explore emerging areas such as IoT, distributed systems, and secure networking developing the skills to adapt to the fast-paced world of digital transformation.

Your Future in Network Engineering and Cyber Security

Imagine being the engineer who ensures that hospitals stay online, smart cities stay connected, and businesses stay secure.

As a graduate of this programme, you’ll be equipped to design, build, and defend the networks that power our world.

You’ll learn how to:

Design scalable and efficient network architectures.

Protect systems from real-world cyber threats.

Troubleshoot and secure communication infrastructures.

Implement solutions that keep data flowing safely and reliably.

Your role could range from network engineering and systems design to cybersecurity operations and digital forensics giving you flexibility to specialise in either engineering or defence.

In the real world, that means:

You could be securing connected cars, protecting cloud data centres, or leading security audits in a multinational organisation. Your decisions will directly impact how safely the world stays connected.

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