Introduction to Cyber Security CPD Award
Course code I101
What is special about this course?
This module is aimed at qualified primary and secondary teachers who wish to develop the knowledge, understanding and problem-solving skills related to teaching basic cyber security, and are configuring an environment suitable for cyber security education. The module will help develop an understanding of cyber security and cyber resilience, as well as the relationship between these two areas of security.
Special features
- The course is delivered online so you can fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments
- Online discussion boards allow interaction with fellow students and tutors, as well as peer-review submitted work
- Induction and tutorials are facilitated through webinars and other online software
- Course materials and assignments are designed to allow you to develop a range of teaching materials and objects that can be shared with fellow students and used in the classroom
- You will be part of an ongoing peer group of students that support each other and keep learning materials current, to allow school pupils the most up-to-date experience and information in Computing Studies
Entry requirements
Applicants must be:
- GTCS registered teachers
- qualified primary or secondary school teachers
- employed full-time or part-time within an educational setting.
- qualified to SCQF 10 or above
CPD Award
You will study the Introduction to Cyber Security module.
You will learn about:
- Client operating systems
- Cyber resilience models and key activities (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover)
- Ethical hacking operating systems and tools
- Virtual environment security
- Virtual environments
- Virtual networks
- Vulnerable operating systems
How will I study my course?
- Part-time (structured)
- You will study through a combination of video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. You will also participate in scheduled tutor-led activities and discussions, facilitated through virtual classroom technology.
How long will my course last?
-
Part-time (structured): 1 semester @ 20 hours per week (a semester is approximately 14 weeks)
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness
This course is fully online. You will be enrolled and receive support from tutors at UHI Inverness.
Start date
- September
- January
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Award | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| CPD Award (20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:
| Award | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| CPD Award (20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,070 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
International students
This course is not available to students domiciled outside of the UK or for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here. For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, the following fees will apply:
- This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Award | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| CPD Award (20 credit module) | £1,160 | £1,180 |
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
Candidates will need access to a computer in order to carry out their coursework, and broadband access to allow interaction with the learning materials on the VLE. Existing UHI LIS advice on minimum computer specifications and broadband speeds should be followed and, wherever possible, be exceeded.
What can I do on completion of my course?
It is expected that applicants are already qualified primary or secondary school teachers, who are employed full-time or part-time within an educational setting. On completion of this course, you will be able to deliver the basic Cyber security curriculum and supporting practical activities.
Can I progress into further study?
Depending on your job role and interest, you may wish to progress from CPD Award Introduction to Cyber Security to the following courses:
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
The course really caters to all levels of educators, it's obvious that a lot of consideration has been given to the needs of delivering Cyber Security in schools. There's a good balance of online tasks, independent learning and discussion with others, and the lecturers are very responsive and helpful. I feel I now have the confidence to build and deliver a Cyber Security course in my school and would like to support other schools in doing the same.
Darren Brown teaches Computing Science. He completed our CPD Award Introduction to Cyber Security online, with the support of staff at UHI Inverness.
Apply for Introduction to Cyber Security CPD Award
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.