The OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Cyber Security develops advanced theoretical and practical skills in security testing, ethical hacking, forensics, malware analysis, databases, and artificial intelligen...
This Ofqual regulated Level 5 qualification is designed as a one-year, 120-credit diploma with six mandatory units, 1200 TQT, 600 GLH, pass/fail grading, and coursework-based assessment in English.
Ofqual regulated OTHM qualification
120 credits with 1200 TQT
Minimum 600 guided learning hours
Six mandatory Level 5 units
Coursework assessment with pass/fail grading
Equivalent to Year 2 of a UK Bachelor’s degree
The OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Cyber Security is designed to give learners a solid background in the theoretical and practical skills needed to understand modern cyber security risks faced by individuals and organisations. It builds higher-level knowledge across security, software, data, and analysis.
Develops advanced cyber security knowledge and practical ability
Builds understanding of modern cyber threats and attacker mindsets
Combines defensive, analytical, and technical software-focused learning
Includes practical work with industry-standard tools and methods
Supports academic progression to UK degree-level study
Strengthens skills in analysis, mitigation, prevention, and recovery
This diploma enables learners to build advanced knowledge and practical competence across six mandatory Level 5 units that together cover offensive, defensive, analytical, and data-driven cyber security practice.
Understand a range of security testing methods and perform essential web and mobile application security testing
Understand the principles of artificial intelligence and data-driven learning, including neural network design and training
Understand core database concepts and design, build, and integrate relational databases using SQL
Understand digital forensics principles, evidence handling, forensic investigation stages, and multimedia analysis
Understand the role of penetration testing and apply ethical hacking methods within legal and professional boundaries
Understand malware types, infection methods, detection challenges, and perform malware analysis using static, dynamic, and reverse engineering techniques
This course is intended for learners seeking advanced cyber security knowledge and practical digital security skills at Level 5, especially those preparing for further study or progression within the cyber security field.
Learners aged 18 and above
Individuals progressing from a relevant Level 3 qualification
Learners with GCE Advanced Level or equivalent qualifications
Aspiring cyber security practitioners seeking Level 5 study
Students preparing for UK Bachelor’s degree progression
Mature learners with relevant experience, subject to centre approval
Learners should meet OTHM’s published entry profile and be able to study and complete the qualification in English. Centres may also assess prior experience where appropriate.
Relevant Level 3 Diploma qualification, GCE Advanced Level in 3 subjects, or equivalent qualification; mature learners over 21 with relevant experience may also be accepted subject to centre approval
Learners from non-majority English-speaking countries must provide evidence of English language competency
All units are assessed by coursework, internally quality assured by the centre, and externally verified by OTHM. Learners must achieve all specified learning outcomes and assessment criteria to gain a pass in each unit.
Coursework-based assessment across all units
Evidence must meet all learning outcomes and assessment criteria
Internal quality assurance by the delivery centre
External verification by OTHM
Successful completion of this Ofqual regulated qualification supports academic progression and broader development within cyber security and related digital disciplines.
Direct entry into a UK Bachelor’s degree programme
Further study in computer science
Further study in cyber security
Progression toward a variety of roles within the cyber security field
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