Security and Risk Management MSc, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

Program Overview

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Security and Risk Management MSc, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

Course Description

The increasing professionalisation of the security industry has meant that both existing security professionals and those seeking entry into the profession view a postgraduate degree as essential to their career ambitions. The course will not only enable you to develop your academic knowledge of crime, risk and security management, but it will also strengthen your professional skills and abilities.

This distance learning degree will provide you with a thorough knowledge of security and crime risk analysis and management. You will develop an understanding of a range of theoretical models that explain why and how people commit crime, how to analyse and assess risk, and how to manage security.

You will gain a thorough grounding in theory and practice of security and risk management. The course will equip you with the skills to engage in informed debate about major issues in security and risk management and to design, conduct and critically appraise research and develop new approaches to problem solving which can be applied in practice.

Entry Requirements

• A first or second class honours degree or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Special consideration will be given to applicants without an undergraduate degree who can demonstrate significant work experience and knowledge.
• If you have at least five years' practical/professional experience and borderline qualifications you may be considered. Please ensure you clearly outline these in your personal statement, focusing on any managerial-level experience. Alternatively, you may be asked to complete the School's entry assessment in support of your application.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

International Qualifications

• Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• MSc: £13,250
• PGDip: £8,825
• PGCert: £4,415

International Students

• MSc: £13,250
• PGDip: £8,825
• PGCert: £4,415

Careers and Employability

A postgraduate distance learning qualification from the University of Leicester is career changing. It can be the springboard to promotion with your current employer, the platform to move into a new area or to simply become more effective in your current role.

Within the School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy, distance learning is part of our core educational provision and our programmes are flexible, high quality and focussed on you and your needs.

The MSc in Security and Risk Management is designed for those working or intending to work in security and risk related areas or those interested in this field. The course will be of particular interest to anyone wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills and move up the career ladder or make a career transition. This course will help to provide an academic context and qualification that relates to your work experience in this area.

Related Courses

• Terrorism, Security and Policing
• Criminology

Course Structure

MSc

• Exploring and Understanding Risk and Security (double module)
• Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
• Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
• Cybercrime
• Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
• Terrorism

Plus your Dissertation

PGDip

• Exploring and Understanding Risk and Security (double module)
• Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
• Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
• Cybercrime
• Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
• Terrorism

PGCert

• Core module: Exploring and Understanding Risk and Security (double module)
• Option modules:
  • Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
  • Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
  • Cybercrime
  • Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
  • Terrorism

Teaching and Learning

All of your course material will be available online through the University of Leicester’s Virtual Learning Environment: Blackboard. As such you will need to have regular internet access. There are no real time lectures so you can access your course material at anytime from anywhere in the world.

Ongoing support is provided by a team of a dedicated academics and distance learning support staff. When you register with us, you will be assigned a Personal Tutor who is an academic within the School of Criminology. Your Personal Tutor can help you address assignments, reflect on your feedback and discuss any aspects of your study either by phone, MS Teams or email.

All course assessments will be submitted online via Blackboard, which will also enable you to exchange information and discuss topics with your fellow students and staff, as well as giving access to the University’s impressive and extensive e-library. You will also benefit from online Study School events at the start of your studies and again as you begin your dissertation.

Assessment

The MSc Security and Risk Management is based on continuous assessment, with each of the modules comprising up to three assessments. The assessments range from formal essays to preparing poster presentations and reflective journal exercises. The final stage towards your MSc degree is the completion of a dissertation.

Program Outline

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Security and Risk Management MSc, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

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Degree Overview:

The MSc in Security and Risk Management is a distance learning program designed for individuals working or aspiring to work in security and risk-related fields. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of security and crime risk analysis and management, equipping students with the skills to engage in informed debate about major issues in the field and to design, conduct, and critically appraise research. The program also aims to strengthen professional skills and abilities, making it valuable for both existing security professionals and those seeking entry into the profession.

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Outline:

The program is offered at three levels: MSc, PGDip, and PGCert. The duration of each level is as follows:

• MSc: 2 years
• PGDip: 18 months
• PGCert: 1 year

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Course Structure:

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MSc:

• Core Modules:
• Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
• Optional Modules:
• Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
• Cybercrime
• Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
• Terrorism
• Dissertation: A final dissertation is required for the MSc degree.

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PGDip:

• Core Modules:
• Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
• Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
• Cybercrime
• Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
• Terrorism

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PGCert:

• Core Module:
• Optional Modules:
• Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
• Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
• Cybercrime
• Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
• Terrorism

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Assessment:

The program is based on continuous assessment, with each module comprising up to three assessments. Assessment methods include:

• Formal essays
• Poster presentations
• Reflective journal exercises
• Dissertation (for MSc)

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Teaching:

• Online Learning: All course material is available online through the University of Leicester's Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard).
• Personal Tutor Support: Students are assigned a Personal Tutor who provides ongoing support through phone, MS Teams, or email.
• Study Schools: Two online Study Schools are offered, one at the start of the program and another at the start of the dissertation.
These events focus on developing academic skills and research methods.
• Online Interaction: Students can exchange information and discuss topics with fellow students and staff through Blackboard.

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Careers:

The MSc in Security and Risk Management is designed to enhance career prospects in various sectors, including:

• The Armed Forces
• The Police
• The United Nations, aid agencies, and international development bodies
• Private security companies
• Prison security management
• Healthcare security management
• Private sector organizations (retail, finance, energy)
• Public sector organizations
• Security providers
• Security consultants

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Other:

• The University of Leicester's Department of Criminology has long-standing links to the security industry and offers free membership to The Security Institute to all distance learning students for the duration of their studies.
• The Security Institute provides benefits such as access to the Security Institute Mentoring Programme, the opportunity to participate in the Security Institute CPD Scheme, and access to the Research Directorate Knowledge Centre.
• The University of Leicester's Career Development Service provides support with interviews, CVs, work experience, and more.

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Note:

The program's content and structure may change in future years.

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UK fee: £12,950 International fee: £12,950