Case study: The University of Greenwich
At a glance:
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‘BSc Cyber Security & Forensics’ and ‘MSc Computer Forensics & Cyber Security’ degrees certified by the NCSC.
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Certification reinforces the university’s commitment to maintaining the highest academic standards and attracts talented candidates.
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Provides graduates with a competitive edge, as employers recognise the value of NCSC-certified degrees.
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Strengthens the university’s partnerships with industry, government and international universities, broadening research opportunities.
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Connects the university with a network of other certified universities, helping the exchange of research and best practice.
In 2024, the University of Greenwich achieved an ‘ACE-CSE Silver Award’ and was also recognised as an ‘Academic Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Research’. These awards from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recognise Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that demonstrate a commitment to delivering exceptional cyber security education and research on campus and beyond, and help universities to attract high quality students from around the world.
Strengthening the UK's cyber security
The ACE-CSE programme provides HEIs with the opportunity to join a network of universities with similar recognition. It encourages the exchange of knowledge and best practices while collaborating towards common goals of strengthening the UK's cyber security, and better preparing its citizens to tackle today’s cyber security challenges.
Since its inception in 2020, the ACE-CSE programme has welcomed 16 universities to its community. The University of Greenwich marked its first success in 2021 when their ‘BSc Cyber Security & Forensics’ degree gained provisional certification and is now fully certified. The ‘MSc Computer Forensics & Cyber Security’ degree, was awarded provisional certification in 2022.
Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said:
For the UK to prosper in the digital age, it’s vital for the next generation of cyber security professionals to have the skills and experience needed to keep people safe online.
That’s why I’m delighted to see more university courses certified for providing first-rate education in cyber security. In addition, achieving distinctions for both cyber security excellence and research in a 12-month period is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the University of Greenwich.
The University of Greenwich is one of only 9 universities with both ACE recognitions. The certification highlights their commitment to delivering exceptional education and research, which enhances their credibility and attractiveness to both prospective students and industry partners.
Advice for universities considering joining the ACE programme
Greenwich advise future applicants “to plan early and strategically decide to invest in cyber security staff, equipment and external partnerships.
“Not only does the certification provide students with valuable, recognised credentials that will advance their careers, but the process itself offers a chance to refine a university’s programmes.”
“We had been preparing for it for around 5 years through strategic recruitment, positioning of programmes and engagement with industry and senior Higher Education Institution (HEI) management. The benefits are well worth the effort.
“Additionally, the process also highlighted the benefits of a thorough internal review, helping us to identify areas for improvement and strengthen our overall approach to cyber security education. These insights have significantly enhanced our programmes and better positioned us to support our students' success.”
The value of NCSC-certified programmes
Prof Georgia Sakellari, Professor of Networked Systems and ACE-CSE Director at the University of Greenwich:
Certification reinforced our commitment to maintaining the highest academic standards, ensuring our programmes are both industry-relevant and future-focused.
It also supported our mission to provide students with an education that equips them with the skills they need for their future lives. It gives them confidence that their education is both relevant and current, setting their degree apart and making them more competitive when applying for cyber security jobs. It will inevitably enhance their employability and career prospects in a rapidly growing industry, providing them with a competitive edge in the job market, as employers recognise the value of an NCSC certified programme.
The NCSC certification also constitutes recognition of our investment in cyber security academics and equipment as we recognise the national importance of a strong cyber security workforce. It is a significant acknowledgment of this commitment, and it was crucial for us to showcase these high standards to both our current and prospective students as well as the broader academic community. It also strengthens our partnerships with industry, government, and other universities in the UK and abroad, opening new opportunities for research and collaboration.
Find out more
If your institution already has a NCSC-certified degree and is interested in becoming an ACE-CSE, please contact [email protected]. To find out more about the ACE-CSE programme and its members, please download our new brochure (PDF).
