BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics

BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at ISMT College Kathmandu

BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at ISMT College Kathmandu is a three-year British undergraduate degree that focuses on information security, cybercrime investigation, and modern computer systems. The program runs at the Tinkune, Gairigaun campus in Kathmandu and follows the University of Sunderland’s “Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics via Study Centres” structure.

The degree addresses two closely related areas. Cyber security looks at how to protect systems, networks, and data from attacks. Digital forensics deals with how to collect and analyse digital evidence after an incident. For Nepali students, this course offers a clear route into a field that connects banking, telecom, government services, cloud platforms, and online businesses.

ISMT delivers the teaching and day-to-day academic support in Kathmandu, while the University of Sunderland awards the final degree on successful completion of the honours stage. The qualification follows a standard 360-credit structure spread across three academic years.

Highlights

• British BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics degree awarded by the University of Sunderland, delivered at ISMT College Kathmandu.

• Standard 3-year, full-time program with 360 credits and clearly defined year-wise modules.

• Curriculum covering software engineering, networks, programming, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, incident response, and digital forensics investigations.

• Final-year focus on web application security, cyber threat landscape, penetration testing, and advanced digital forensics.

• Teaching methods that combine lectures, tutorials, seminars, lab sessions, and group projects.

• Merit-based scholarships for eligible +2 or equivalent graduates as per ISMT policy.

• Articulation links from ISMT’s network for further study abroad in countries such as the UK and Australia through partner universities.

Curriculum details

The curriculum follows the University of Sunderland’s Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics via Study Centres specification, adapted to the ISMT Kathmandu context.

Year 1 (national level 4): foundations in computing

Students build a broad computing base before moving into deeper cyber security and forensics topics. Indicative modules include:

• Software Engineering (20 credits)
  Introduction to methods used in professional software projects, the software development life cycle, and quality considerations in program development.

• Computer Systems, Architectures and Networks (20 credits)
  Study of how computers work internally, how operating systems manage hardware, and how machines connect through networks.

• Introduction to Programming (20 credits)
  Fundamentals of programming using a high-level language such as Python or C#, including logic, data structures, and debugging.

• Full Stack Development (20 credits)
  Basics of front-end and back-end web development, where you create simple dynamic web applications that run on a live server.

• Specialist Project (20 credits)
  Small individual project related to an area of interest within computing, supported by staff in workshop-style sessions.

• Emerging Technologies (20 credits)
  Discussion of current and upcoming tools and trends in computing, such as virtual/augmented environments, drones, cryptocurrencies, wearables, and cyber security developments.

Year 1 supports students coming from different school backgrounds and helps them adjust to university-level computing study while keeping the workload manageable.

Year 2 (national level 5): core cyber security and forensics

The second year moves into specialist content while still strengthening general IT skills. Modules usually include:

• Advanced Programming (20 credits)
  Object-oriented design concepts, use of UML diagrams, and practical coding of larger software solutions.

• Cybersecurity (20 credits)
  Study of security principles, types of attacks, case studies of incidents, and approaches for building safer systems.

• Enterprise Project (20 credits)
  Team-based project where students respond to a client-style brief and produce a working computing solution.

• Secure Networks (20 credits)
  Network security methods, configuration of secure network infrastructures, and evaluation of systems against defined security needs.

• Digital Forensic Computing Practice (20 credits)
  Practical techniques for examining systems, file systems, logs, internet traces, and other digital artefacts, along with legal and procedural considerations in handling evidence.

• Virtualisation and Cloud Infrastructure (20 credits)
  Concepts of cloud models, Linux environments, and virtual infrastructure relevant to hosting secure services.

By the end of Year 2, students have experienced both offence-and-defence viewpoints: how attackers think and how defenders respond.

Final year (national level 6): advanced cyber security and digital forensics

The final year focuses on higher-level topics and independent work:

• Project (40 credits)
  Extended individual project on a chosen cyber security or forensics theme, guided by a supervisor. Students plan, build, and document a substantial piece of work or research study.

• Cyber Threat Landscape (20 credits)
  Study of current and recurring cyber threats, risk assessment, and incident case analysis for organisations.

• Web Application Security (20 credits)
  Examination of common web vulnerabilities, methods for testing web applications, and techniques used in ethical exploitation and protection.

• Digital Forensic Investigations (20 credits)
  Advanced topics such as malware investigations, network forensics, mobile device forensics, payment-card incidents, and social-media evidence.

• Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking (20 credits)
  Structured penetration-testing approaches, evaluation of systems against confidentiality, integrity, and availability requirements, and development of defensive strategies.

This stage prepares you for both technical roles and future postgraduate study, as you learn to handle complex problems independently.

Objectives

BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at ISMT College Kathmandu aims to:

• Build a solid foundation in programming, systems, and networks before moving into specialist security and forensics content.

• Develop awareness of how attacks occur, how systems fail, and how incidents are investigated.

• Strengthen analytical thinking so that students can evaluate risks, assess evidence, and recommend practical controls.

• Encourage ethical practice, legal awareness, and professional responsibility when handling sensitive data and digital evidence.

• Prepare graduates for entry-level cyber security, digital forensics, and general IT roles in Nepal and abroad.

Scope

The scope of this course extends across sectors that rely on secure information systems. In Nepal, banks, payment providers, telecom operators, software companies, e-commerce platforms, and public agencies require staff who understand security risks and incident response.

Internationally, cyber security and digital forensics skills remain in demand within consulting firms, managed security providers, cloud companies, and law-enforcement units that handle cybercrime. A British honours degree from a UK university gives graduates a recognisable academic credential when applying for work or further study in other countries, subject to immigration and local professional requirements.

For students, this means the course supports careers both inside Nepal and in wider markets, especially when combined with certifications, internships, and work experience.

Learning outcomes

By graduation, students are expected to be able to:

• Explain how modern computer systems, operating systems, and networks function and interact.

• Write, test, and debug software in at least one major programming language.

• Analyse cyber security risks and suggest realistic mitigations for systems and networks.

• Carry out structured digital forensic examinations while respecting legal and procedural rules.

• Use tools for packet capture, log analysis, vulnerability scanning, and evidence collection.

• Plan and deliver an individual project, documenting methods, findings, and limitations clearly.

• Communicate technical issues to both technical colleagues and non-technical stakeholders.

Skill development modules

Skill development runs across multiple modules rather than sitting in a single subject.

Students gradually strengthen:

• Technical skills – programming, network configuration, Linux administration, virtualization, secure system setup, and forensic analysis tools.

• Analytical skills – interpreting logs, comparing threat scenarios, and evaluating evidence based on accuracy and relevance.

• Project skills – planning tasks, setting milestones, managing version control, and writing reports.

• Communication skills – preparing presentations, summarising complex incidents, and writing clear documentation for non-specialists.

• Professional skills – respecting confidentiality, handling digital evidence responsibly, and working under defined procedures.

These skills help you move from classroom learning to workplace settings, where both technical competence and disciplined behaviour are essential.

Teaching methodology

Teaching for this degree follows the University of Sunderland’s study-centre model and is delivered locally by ISMT College Kathmandu.

You can expect:

• Lectures for core theories, methods, and frameworks in cyber security and digital forensics.

• Tutorials and seminars for discussion, clarification, and small-group tasks.

• Laboratory sessions where you practice configuration, coding, and forensic techniques on dedicated systems.

• Group projects that imitate professional security or software teams.

• Ongoing feedback through assignments, practical exercises, and project supervision.

The official Sunderland course description highlights teaching through lectures, tutorials, seminars, and lab sessions, along with continuous feedback to consolidate learning.

ISMT supports this approach with computing labs, library and e-library access, and campus facilities such as Wi-Fi, student spaces, and support services.

Admission requirements

Entry to BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at ISMT College Kathmandu generally follows the pattern used for other Sunderland computing degrees delivered through study centres:

• Completion of 10+2, A-Levels, or equivalent qualification from a recognised board (such as NEB or similar).

• Preference for applicants with a background in Science, Management with Computer, or a related stream that includes Mathematics or computing.

• Meeting the minimum grade requirement set jointly by ISMT and the University of Sunderland for the relevant intake.

• Evidence of English language ability through prior study medium or an accepted test, if required.

The University of Sunderland advises applicants to contact the study centre directly for detailed entry requirements and equivalence rules for non-UK qualifications.

You should confirm the latest criteria, documents, and intake dates with ISMT’s admissions office before submitting an application.

Career opportunities

Graduates of BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics from ISMT College Kathmandu enter a range of technical and security-focused roles. The ISMT course information mentions career paths such as:

• Cybersecurity manager

• Security engineer or architect

• Cybersecurity auditor

• Penetration tester or ethical hacker

• IT security officer

• Cryptographer

Beyond these titles, graduates may move into roles such as security analyst, incident responder, digital forensics examiner, network security specialist, or secure-systems developer, depending on personal interests and experience.

Some students continue to postgraduate study in computing, information security, or digital forensics, either in Nepal or overseas, using this degree as their foundation.

Scholarships and financial aid

ISMT College Kathmandu outlines merit-based scholarships on first-year tuition fees across its bachelor’s programs. Based on the college document you provided, the current pattern is:

• 20% tuition-fee waiver in the first year for +2 (or equivalent) graduates with at least 70% who also succeed in an interview.

• 15% tuition-fee waiver in the first year for those with at least 60% and a successful interview.

• 10% tuition-fee waiver in the first year for those with at least 50% and a successful interview.

Why choose BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at ISMT College Kathmandu?

This course may suit you if:

• You want a British honours degree in cyber security and digital forensics while studying in Kathmandu under the University of Sunderland framework.

• You prefer a structured program that moves from general computing to focused security and forensic modules with a clear year-wise plan.

• You aim to work in cyber security, digital investigation, or related IT roles in banks, telecoms, software firms, or public institutions.

• You are considering further study abroad and value a UK-awarded degree with recognised content and module descriptions.

• You would like to study at a campus in Kathmandu that offers computing labs, student support, and articulation links for credit transfer to partner universities.

Conclusion

BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics at ISMT College Kathmandu brings together a full computing foundation, specialist cyber security content, and practical digital forensics training under a UK honours framework. Students progress from basic programming and systems knowledge to advanced modules on threat analysis, web application security, forensic investigations, and ethical hacking.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. How long is the BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics program at ISMT College Kathmandu?

The program is normally three years of full-time study, delivered through the University of Sunderland’s Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics via Study Centres structure at ISMT Kathmandu.

2. Who awards the degree for this course?

The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics degree is awarded by the University of Sunderland, UK, while ISMT College Kathmandu functions as the approved study centre delivering the teaching and assessments locally.

3. Do I need a strong background in Mathematics or Science to join this course?

Applicants usually come from a +2 or equivalent background that includes Science, Management with Computer, or related subjects, often with Mathematics. ISMT and the University of Sunderland set specific entry rules for each intake, so you should check the current requirement with the admissions office.

4. What are the main subjects taught in this degree?

Key subject areas include programming, computer systems and networks, cyber security principles, secure networks, digital forensic practice, cloud infrastructure, cyber threat landscape, web application security, penetration testing, and advanced digital forensic investigations.

5. What kind of practical work will I do?

You work in labs on system configuration, network security, and forensic tools, complete group projects such as enterprise-style software or security solutions, and undertake an individual final-year project related to cyber security or digital forensics.

6. What careers can I pursue after graduation?

Graduates move into roles such as cyber security manager, security engineer, penetration tester, digital forensics technician, IT security officer, or other security-focused IT positions, depending on experience, interests, and any additional certifications.

7. Are scholarships available for Cyber Security and Digital Forensics students at ISMT?

Yes. ISMT offers merit-based tuition-fee waivers on first-year tuition for students who meet specified percentage thresholds at +2 or equivalent and pass an interview, with current bands at 10%, 15%, and 20% fee waivers. You should confirm the most recent scholarship notice before applying.