How long is the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals?

The Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals runs 3 to 6 months on-campus, online or by distance learning.

Is the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals recognised in the UK?

The Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals is a UK Level 3 short award aligned with CompTIA Security+, (ISC)² vocabulary and NCSC guidance.

What are the entry requirements for the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals?

You need GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C, to be aged 17 or over, and IELTS 5.5 for non-native English speakers. A reference and statement of intent are required.

How much does the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals cost?

Fees are published each intake and vary by mode of study. LSCE admissions confirms current pricing and instalment options within one working day.

Cert in Network Security Fundamentals | LSCE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals is a UK Level 3 short award, typically 3-6 months. The programme runs across 3-6 months and is focused on network security fundamentals. The course introduces practitioners in IP basics, firewalls, VPNs, TLS, secure configuration and awareness, and it is designed for candidates who need a UK credential that carries clear weight with employers. The programme is aligned with IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and ISACA, and it draws on the wider LSCE partnership with UK professional bodies including IISP (Chartered Institute of Information Security). Teaching is structured around a supportive introductory cohort, with weekly tutor visibility, structured critique of student work and a named programme tutor throughout your studies.

By the time you complete the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals, you will have produced a portfolio artefact and a short reflective log demonstrating early practitioner readiness. Assessment across the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals blends coursework, short tests and a small applied artefact, so you leave with evidence you can put in front of a UK employer or a professional-registration panel. Marks are moderated to UK Level 3 standards, and the course sits inside the LSCE ladder so credit transfer and articulation are considered from your first tutorial. Where relevant, the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals also builds portfolio evidence toward professional-body membership and the Engineering Council or BCS chartership routes, and the wraparound English-language, careers and study-skills provision on the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals remains available throughout your registered study period.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and ISACA competency frameworks for the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals, reviewed each academic year against the latest professional-body guidance.
Applied laboratory, project or portfolio work in IP basics embedded across every taught module of the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals, so learning stays close to industry practice.
Weekly named-tutor visibility on the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals with structured written feedback on your short applied artefact submission and clear progression targets.
A supportive introductory cohort with cross-cohort critique, employer-style project reviews and mentor pairings drawn from the LSCE alumni network.
LSCE careers-service introductions to UK MSSPs, enterprise IT teams and public-sector security functions through the London employer contact book, plus at least one industry-careers day each academic year.
Three parallel study modes on the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals: on-campus in central London, fully online with provisioned lab or GPU access, or by distance learning with the same remote provisioning across the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals.
Rolling intakes and structured induction so working professionals on the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals can start when the diary allows, plus wraparound English-language and study-skills support during induction.

What You Will Learn

Explain networking fundamentals and IP addressing at a working level
Configure basic firewalls, ACLs and VPNs
Apply TLS, SSH and secure configuration baselines
Recognise common network-attack patterns
Apply NCSC and Cyber Essentials expectations
Handle secure remote-working configurations
Document network changes in a structured log
Deliver a short applied network-security artefact

Who This Course Is For

IT support staff exploring a security route
Career changers building a first network-security credential
Apprentices and college leavers entering cyber
International applicants preparing for UK entry-level cyber roles
Applicants planning to progress into an LSCE Diploma

Career Pathways

SOC Analyst (junior)
Network Support Analyst
IT Security Support
Cyber Trainee
Helpdesk Security Champion
GRC Analyst (junior)
Compliance Trainee
Cyber Apprentice

The LSCE careers service maintains a working contact book across UK MSSPs, enterprise IT teams and public-sector security functions, and runs one-to-one application coaching during the final stage of the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals. Structured application support covers CV, portfolio and interview preparation for UK employers, with warm introductions where cohort fit is close, plus alumni-network mentoring throughout your studies and after graduation.

Entry Requirements

GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4/C (or equivalent).
Age 17+ at start of study; no prior degree required.
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers.
One reference (academic, employer or professional).
Short statement of intent , a paragraph explaining your interest in the field.

Why Study at LSCE

The London School of Computing and Engineering is a specialist computing and engineering division of Harold International College of London. LSCE teaches in small tutor-visible cohorts, partners with UK professional bodies including IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and ISACA, and puts the AI Safety Institute, Alan Turing Institute, the NCSC, the ICE, IMechE and IET, and central London's engineering consultancies within a short tube ride of every classroom on the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals. Alignment with BCS Cyber Security Specialist Group further strengthens the standing of the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals with employers.

Whether you study on-campus, fully online with provisioned lab or GPU access, or by distance learning, you join the same Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals intake with weekly tutor visibility and named programme-tutor support. LSCE students routinely attend BSides London, IET Young Professionals events, IMechE London Region evenings and BCS group meetings during their studies, and the careers service holds a working contact book with UK employers across UK MSSPs, enterprise IT teams and public-sector security functions. Students on the Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals also access the Harold International College shared library and elective-module catalogue subject to availability.

Apply for Certificate in Network Security Fundamentals

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