MA in Security and Intelligence Studies

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This programme aims to deliver a deep, nuanced and research-led understanding of the contemporary security and intelligence environment in western democracies with a focus on the UK. Security and Intelligence studies are an important new field in political science but there is also widespread recognition that a good knowledge of how security and intelligence agencies operate, of the environment in which they operate and of how their products are, and should be, used has become a key component of good and successful governance. Emphasis is placed on relating academic and historical analyses to contemporary problems and policy questions especially in the UK but also to western states in general, uniquely using a degree of 'practice' expertise.

From a policy and practice points of view, emphasis is placed on the very skills that the intelligence community itself has been urged to develop in the wake of the Butler Review on Intelligence on WMD. This specifically recommended the development of a greater degree of 'professionalisation' in intelligence analysis skills, including critical thinking and analysis (developed in part through an element of exercising and collaborative working on challenge problems), and a better ability to evaluate and assess disparate sources of sometimes conflicting information. The government is already involved in the implementation of these recommendations. In this way, the programme prepares those students aspiring to work in security and intelligence policy, and assists the career development of those already doing so.

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What will you study?

The programme delivers this understanding to the students in the framework of six taught modules and a dissertation:

How is the programme assessed?

For each course (except Dissertation):

A formal seminar paper (30%)
A written 1,500 (for 15-unit courses) or 3,000 (for 30-unit courses) word essay (70%)

What are the entry requirements?

You will need to have:

Normally a first or second class honours degree (or equivalent) from a recognised university or appropriate professional experience in the subject area
A good command of the English language, both written and oral (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)

For more information, please contact Dr Julian Richards, Tel +44 (0)1280 820120.

Full time:	Yes
Part time:	No
Award:	MA
Entry points: (Term dates)	January April September This is a 4-term programme, which takes 1 year to complete.

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