Course Overview
NCFE Level 4 Diploma: Cyber Security Engineer (HTQ)
| Awarding Organisation | NCFE |
| Teaching Institution | London School of Commerce & IT (LSCI) |
| Programme Title | NCFE Level 4 Diploma: Cyber Security Engineer |
| Name of the final award | NCFE Level 4 Diploma: Cyber Security Engineer |
| Higher Education Qualification Framework | Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) |
| Level | Level 4 |
| Qualification number | 603/7748/3 |
| Duration of study | 1 year |
| Credit Value | 120 |
| Guided Learning Hours (GLH) | 510 |
| Mode of Study | Full Time (FT) |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Intakes | September; January; April |
| Course fees (correct at the time of publication in April 2025) | £6,185 |
Qualification purpose
This is a regulated qualification. The regulated number for this qualification is 603/7748/3. This qualification is designed to give learners the knowledge and associated skills and behaviours required to work in a variety of roles in cyber security. It will also prepare learners to progress to further study and apprenticeships in this area.
This qualification is designed for learners who want to upskill or retrain within the digital sector. It is also suitable for learners who want to further their studies in the digital sector. This higher technical qualification (HTQ) will give learners the skills, knowledge and behaviours to meet specific employer needs and industry requirements.
A higher technical qualification (HTQ) is a prestigious, kite-marked qualification aimed at meeting employers’ needs and increasing learner engagement in technical education. This HTQ content has been aligned with the Cyber Security engineer apprenticeship standard.
Aim of the Course
This qualification aims to:
- focus on the study of cyber security within the digital sector
- provide the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are needed to enter occupations across the sector
- provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills
- give learners confidence that these qualifications are recognised by employers
The objectives of this qualification are to provide learners with knowledge, skills and behaviours related to the following thematic areas:
- cyber security architecture
- legislation
- threat intelligence
- security by design
- cyber security management
- systems and programming
Entry Requirements
This qualification is designed for students who want to begin or advance their career within cyber security. It is also suitable for learners who wish to progress to further study in this specialised area.
There are no specific prior skills/knowledge a learner must have for this qualification. However, learners may find it helpful if they have already achieved a relevant level 3 qualification.
learners are capable of achieving the learning outcomes (LOs) and complying with the relevant literacy, numeracy and health and safety requirements.
Course structure
The course has the following six mandatory units, 20 credits each. It is graded as pass, merit or distinction. A learner must achieve a pass in each of the mandatory units.
| NCFE Level 4 Diploma: Cyber Security Engineer | Credit value |
| Unit 1 Principles of Cyber Security | 20 |
| Unit 2 Cyber Security Architecture | 20 |
| Unit 3 Legislation, Policies and Procedures in Cyber Security | 20 |
| Unit 4 Threat Intelligence in Cyber Security | 20 |
| Unit 5 Risk Assessment in Cyber Security | 20 |
| Unit 6 Cyber Security Management | 20 |
Assessment
Assessment is the process of measuring a learner’s skill, knowledge and understanding against the standards set in a qualification. The learners are Internally assessed and externally quality assured portfolio of evidence, including task-based controlled assessments.
Method of Assessment
The assessment consists of an internally assessed portfolio of evidence, including task-based controlled assessments, which is assessed and internally quality assured by centre staff. Finally, the external quality assurance is done by the external quality assurer of NCFE. Each unit of the qualification is graded using a structure of not yet achieved, pass, merit or distinction. A result that does not achieve a pass grade will be graded as a not yet achieved grade. Learners may have the opportunity to resit.
Progression
Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to the following:
- Further education:
- related apprenticeships
- Higher education
Career Opportunities
Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to the following employment:
- Cybersecurity engineer
- Cybersecurity consultant
- Cybersecurity architect
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Cybersecurity specialist
- IT security technician
- Embedded engineer
Student Finance
This qualification may be eligible for funding.
A Tuition Fee Loan is available to most UK students. The loan is administered by the Student Loan Company. The tuition fee loan is paid directly to the College.
A maintenance loan for living costs is also available. The amount a student get depends on his/her personal circumstances and household income.
The online calculator (https://www.gov.uk/student–finance–calculator) will give an accurate idea of what level of student funding a student may be eligible for.