Cybersecurity T Level

This course is ideal for students who are passionate about technology and want to develop advanced skills in computing and cyber security.

It’s also perfect for learners who are interested in progressing to university or a higher-level apprenticeship in a digital or computing-related field.

You should be prepared to work independently, think critically and apply your knowledge to real-world challenges. An interest in how technology can be used sustainably and ethically is also encouraged.

Over the two years, students will learn through practical and theoretical lessons and activities to enhance and develop practical and technical skills that are essential for working in the modern digital sector.

You will learn:

Year 1

Security Principles Students understand the CIA triad – confidentiality, integrity and availability – as the foundation of cyber security. They assess risk using likelihood and severity matrices, create risk documentation and apply mitigation strategies.

Learners distinguish incidents from problems and follow the incident management process: detection, response and intelligence gathering.

Network Security – Students explore how networks are secured through firewalls, rule configuration and protected administrative access. They study TCP/IP fundamentals, routing tables and protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, DNS and SMTP. Understanding the OSI and TCP/IP models, packet structure and encryption enables them to identify vulnerabilities and secure communications effectively.

Data Security – Students learn how to protect data using validation and verification to maintain integrity. They examine data types and formats such as JSON, XML and CSV and distinguish between structured and unstructured data. Access control methods including RBAC, RuBAC and APIs are applied alongside data quality assurance techniques to reduce errors.

Legislation & Compliance – Students understand key legislation including the Data Protection Act, GDPR, Computer Misuse Act and Equality Act. They examine Intellectual Property and WEEE regulations, Acceptable Use Policies and professional Codes of Conduct.

International cyber law is considered to ensure learners understand legal responsibility and regulatory compliance in digital security. Business Risk & Security Impact Students evaluate how security breaches affect confidentiality, integrity and availability, alongside privacy and regulatory risks. They analyse reputational damage, legal penalties and financial consequences. Change management, rollback planning and version control are explored to ensure secure system updates and alignment between cyber security practices and organisational objectives.

Year 2

Content Area 1: Apply procedures and controls to maintain digital security

Students apply security policies and controls to protect systems. This includes secure configuration, monitoring networks, identifying threats and managing vulnerabilities to maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability within organisational environments.

Content Area 2: Propose remediation advice for a security risk assessment Students interpret risk assessments and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies. They justify selected security controls and communicate advice clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Content Area 3: Discover, evaluate and apply reliable sources of knowledge Students evaluate threat intelligence and assess the reliability of cyber sources. They use documentation accurately and apply relevant industry standards to inform secure, evidence-based decisions.

This programme includes a minimum 315-hour industry placement; we’ll support you to secure one – or you can source your own.

Five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including both English and Maths (or Level 2 Functional Skills in both subjects).

We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can flourish.

Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process – we’re here to help take you to the next level.

• Two core written exams
• Employer-set project
• Occupational specialism: Digital Support and Cyber Security
• Industry Placement

  You’ll complete a 315-hour industry placement. We’ll support you in finding one – or you can source your own.

Digital apprenticeships, university-level study, or employment in cyber defence, network support or SOC roles.

We provide basic art and digital resources, but additional materials may need to be purchased individually.

The Learner Support Fund is available to help students from low-income households cover these costs