CyberFirst University Bursary and Degree Apprenticeship

Published
9/6/2020

You might have heard of the NCSC and GCHQ before, but if you haven’t, here’s a run down:

GCHQ is the UK’s world-leading intelligence and cyber security agency with a mission to help keep the UK safe. The agency uses cutting-edge technology and technical ingenuity to identify, analyse, and disrupt threats in an increasingly digital world. They work closely with MI5, MI6, law enforcement, the military, and international partners to counter real-world and online threats from both large groups and individuals.

As part of GCHQ, the NCSC is the UK’s lead technical authority on cyber security, helping to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online. Set up in October 2016, the NCSC offers unrivalled real-time threat analysis, defence against national cyber attacks, and tailored advice to victims of cyber intrusions. The NCSC has access to some of the most sophisticated capabilities available to government, and its ground-breaking approach to cyber security is improving the UK’s resilience to cyber threats.

The NCSC’s bursary and degree apprenticeship programmes are designed for a new generation of future cyber security professionals. And even if you don’t know how to code yet, these programmes are open to you.

After all, the key thing we look for in our applicants isn’t your genius programming skills – it’s curiosity. You care about your technology, whether it’s your phone or your console, and you ask questions about how it works. You’re ready to learn all there is to know about computing – even if you don’t know much yet. In fact, on our degree apprenticeship, we’ll train you how to code on the job.

As long as you’ve got the right attitude and the aptitude to learn about technology, you’ll find a real sense of community with us. We’re looking for young people of all genders, all cultures, all experiences – all keen to explore and defend our digital world. The main thing we all have in common is our desire to make an impact – and with CyberFirst, and a career in cyber security, that’s guaranteed. Whether you choose to fund your degree through our bursary, or earn while you learn on the degree apprenticeship – launch a career that helps defend the modern world you love.

We’re looking for young people from all backgrounds, but there are certain skills and qualifications we’ll require, whichever route you choose

Criteria:

Degree Apprenticeship

We’re looking for school leavers with:

• UK national or dual national status (subject to security clearance)

• At least BBC (or predicted) in your A Levels (or equivalent to 112 UCAS points*) in any subject • A GCSE in Maths at 5 or above (or equivalent)

• A passion for all things computing and digital

• The curiosity to explore and master cyber security

University Bursary

We’re looking for school leavers and university students with:

• UK national or dual national status (subject to security clearance)

• At least BBB (or predicted) in your A Levels (or equivalent to 120 UCAS points*) in any subject

• A GCSE in Maths at 6 or above (or equivalent)

• An aptitude for computers, how they work and how to secure them – and the willingness to learn more

• Dedication, team spirit, and the drive to protect our technology

Plus EITHER of the following:

• You have a place on an undergraduate degree or integrated Masters starting from September 2021, in any subject, at a UK university

• You’re already studying for an undergraduate degree or integrated Masters, with a minimum of two years left of your course from September 2021, and you’re on course for at least a 2:1 in your grades this academic year.

Find out more about our programmes, learn about the key concepts of cyber security, and even listen to our podcast, at: cyberfirstcareers.co.uk