Law Enforcement, Security and Intelligence

Entry requirements

The minimum entry level required for this course is as follows:

• a first or second-class honours degree from a recognised university or,
• a recognised professional qualification with relevant work experience

Months of entry

January, April, September

Course content

This programme aims to deliver an understanding of the contemporary security and intelligence environment in western democracies, focusing particularly on the law enforcement environment in the UK.

There is a national and international need for graduates to acquire the skills to analyse security and intelligence matters. 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. This course uniquely uses a degree of “practice” expertise within those delivering the programme.

This course is aimed at both those seeking professional skills and those requiring a more general grounding in this subject. Graduates will be able to demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of security and intelligence issues. For the Law Enforcement intelligence community in particular, this programme offers one component of “professionalisation” within the growing and increasingly significant career pathway of intelligence within the overall arena of policing in the contemporary UK.

The programme comprises two modules of ten weeks each, covering: Law Enforcement Intelligence Practice and Policy; and Security Threats and Challenges in the Law Enforcement Environment. These run respectively from September – December, and January – March. The programme is delivered using an online Virtual Learning Environment, through which multimedia resources are accessed. Assessment is constituted by a number of written assignments, including essays on big-picture issues; and short policy-paper exercises. Tutor support is provided throughout, and there are opportunities to attend workshops and symposia in person at the university for those who are able to do so.

Fees and funding

A new system of postgraduate loans for Masters degrees in the UK was introduced in August 2016 with support from the UK Government. The loan will provide up to £10,609 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. The loans can be used for tuition fees, living expenses or both. Find out more >>

Assessment