Welcome to your Cyber Security course

Welcome to University of Staffordshire London! With 60 years of experience in delivering computing courses, our highly qualified and enthusiastic staff, who possess both academic and professional qualifications, are here to provide you with an excellent education. Located in the digital growth area of the capital, we offer a rewarding learning experience that will set you on the path to a successful and fulfilling career. Get ready for an incredible adventure - throughout your time with us, you’ll have opportunities to engage in guest lectures, hackathons, and employer networking events to help you grow professionally and personally.

Course delivery

The most effective and enriching student learning experience occurs when we come together in pursuit of both individual and shared goals. Accordingly, for the 2025/26 academic year, we are planning to provide an enhanced educational environment in which all students will be expected to attend campus for two teaching days per week. This time on campus will support not only scheduled teaching sessions, but also co-curricular and extracurricular engagement. Naturally, all activities will be conducted in strict adherence to current health and safety regulations to ensure the wellbeing of our entire community.

You can find your timetable and important course dates here:
https://www.staffs.ac.uk/welcome/timetables

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar and overall language proficiency)
Academic writing (effective academic writing skills, including proper referencing techniques)
Research skills (Equipping students with the necessary tools and techniques to conduct successful research)
Critical thinking
Industry experience (Worldwide recognised related certificates, placement opportunity)
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Timetables and room allocations will be confirmed via your eVision and MS Teams channels, so make sure to check those regularly. You’ll also be using Blackboard for accessing your learning materials, and your student email for all university communications.

eVision: https://evision.staffs.ac.uk/
Blackboard: https://blackboard.staffs.ac.uk/
MS Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com
Student Email (Outlook): https://outlook.office.com/mail

Semester one activities

During your first semester you will study three modules as below:

Computer Architecture and Operating Systems Design

This module explores the different areas of technology within computing and identifies core elements within the field to make an informed choice for purchasing, designing, and developing systems. In addition to these core skills you will consolidate your understanding of an operating system and will be able to commission and program typically Windows and Unix derivative OS as used within your chosen field. Considering Operating Systems outside of traditional x86 computing is also a key skill for fundamental computing decision making.

Algorithms and Programming Concepts

In this module, you will begin an exciting journey of discovery that will lay the programming foundation for both your academic and professional career. You will focus on designing and developing programs in Python. On the way, you will also learn about algorithms, data structures, analysing problems, modelling solutions, and testing programs.

Networks and Communications

In studying this module, you will learn about the fundamental concepts e.g. OSI/TCP suit, TCP and UDP communications, IP addressing, Ethernet, wireless networks, switching, routing, network design, documentation, management and troubleshooting. Upon successful completion of the module, you should become a skilled user who is able to design a network efficiently, can configure network devices e.g. switches, routers etc., can manage and troubleshoot network issues.

Pre-learning

Before starting your journey with us, students are advised to take a look at the following links to have a knowledge of Network concept, Windows and Linux OS:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/windows-commands

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/

https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/command-line-for-beginners#1-overview

Getting Started with AWS Cloud

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjKhQoYeR4Q

AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Generative

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qYNweeDHiyU

Data Science and Automation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NwUfnKhsuU&list=PLWuFHho1zKhUJpe9WfSyvrrQrzqDErbmv

Python Programming

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eWRfhZUzrAc

Cloud Computing Basics:

https://cloud.google.com/learn

AWS Educate / Student access:

https://aws.amazon.com/education/awseducate/

Microsoft Learn for Azure Cloud

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/azure/

Intro to Project Management
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rck3MnC7OXA&list=PLTZYG7bZ1u6puLWxUtqAjZkIB4dB_JFzk

Please feel free to watch other CCNA videos, Ted Talks and YouTube are a good starting place. Please do not worry if you don’t understand everything, that is what we are going to help you with. We suggest:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIhvC56v63IJVXv0GJcl9vO5Z6znCVb1P

Also, try completing a few small projects, like building a website or creating a simple Python game, to get into the mindset before the term begins.

Our library services offer some excellent guides to help you with your studies and workshops sessions can be booked for individual support. Please look at these additional resources that may be of use during your studies:

https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills

For more study skills resources and guidance on how to prepare before starting your course, you can also explore the University’s Get Ready library guide:
https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/get-ready

Equipment and software

As a student, you’re entitled to free access to Microsoft 365, GitHub Pro, JetBrains IDEs, and more. Visit the software portal regularly for updates. Software link is available here: https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

And we provide the software that you need.

A suitable laptop preferably Windows OS, ideally Intel i5 or equivalent with a minimum of 16GB memory is needed. Alternatively, a MAC or Linux based machine, warning the new MACs (M1 based) are not recommended at present due to virtualisation issues.

Download software

Trips and activities

We are really excited to invite you to join in on a fun activity during Welcome Week. We want you to get to know other students from different courses as well as your cohort.

As part of your welcome experience, we’re excited to invite you on a trip to Bletchley Park, the historic centre of British codebreaking and birthplace of modern computing. You’ll explore the story of pioneers like Alan Turing, see real Enigma machines, and discover how wartime innovations shaped today’s fields like cyber security, networking, and AI. It’s a fun and inspiring day out, and a great way to connect with fellow students and staff. Full details will be shared during Welcome Week.

Groups and societies

Have a look at our student union’s website and see if there are any clubs and/or societies that will interest you for welcome week. https://www.staffsunion.com/

Clubs and societies are a great way to meet new people and make lasting friendships.

We also host societies for Women in Tech, Gaming, and Entrepreneurs — you can even start your own!

Meet the team

Dr Vahid Heydari Fami Tafreshi

Course Director - Computer Science

Vahid is a passionate researcher and course director specialising in Computing courses at the London campus. He leads the BSc and MSc Cyber Security courses, focusing on Internet Protocols, Architectures, Cybersecurity, and IoT Security.

Vahid's profile

Dr Maryam Shahpasand

Senior Lecturer

Maryam is a lecturer with over 15 years of intensive experience in cyber security teaching and research, professional training, security consultation, forensics investigation, malware analysis, penetration testing, and incident handling.

Dr Viraj Dawarka

Lecturer

Viraj is a lecturer in computer science/cyber security as well as an active researcher in cloud robotics. His main area of interest is towards the energy efficiency of cloud robotics using educational robots.

Dr Mahsa Zolfaghari

Lecturer

Mahsa is a lecturer in Computer Science and Cyber Security. Her research interests are Systems Design enhancements by Artificial Intelligence (AI), NET ZERO Technologies’ applications and IoT.

Dr Russell Campion

Head Of Department - Computing & Esports

Russell started at the University in 1990, studying a BA, then MRes, and finally a PhD before going into full-time teaching. He currently runs the Department of Computing. Previously he has managed the Information Systems group at Stafford befor…

Russell's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

Please make sure you have a professional LinkedIn page before joining us and start following updates from us on https://www.linkedin.com/company/uslcomputing/

We also recommend you connect with staff and classmates on LinkedIn and start building your professional presence early