Program Overview

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Intelligence and Security MA, by distance learning

Course Description

This is the first course in Britain and only the second worldwide to be accredited by the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE), an international organisation dedicated to expanding research, knowledge and professional development in intelligence education. It will equip you with an understanding of key concepts and debates in intelligence and security and the current state of knowledge in the field. It will enable you to apply this new knowledge to your own field, whether as a practitioner or academic.

You will look in depth at four major themes:

• key concepts and debates in intelligence
• intelligence collection and analysis
• intelligence failure
• intelligence ethics

As well as a greater theoretical understanding of intelligence and security, this course looks at the subject from the perspective of civilian, military and police intelligence agencies as well as providing an insight into commercial intelligence activity, such as the provision of intelligence by private security companies and political risk analysis.

Combining world leading research by members of Politics and International Relations at Leicester, and their practical experience in the field of intelligence, this degree will give you an opportunity to conduct advanced study on intelligence theory and practice.

The MA in Intelligence and Security will be especially beneficial to you if you are seeking professional development and/or enhanced employability working with intelligence in central government, the military, the police, private security sector, non-governmental organisations, the UN or other international organisations.

By choosing to study by distance learning, you will have the flexibility to fit your study around existing commitments and enhance your career prospects without having to leave employment.

What's the Difference?

• For the MA you will complete four modules and a dissertation.
• For the PGDip you will complete four modules.
• For the PGCert you will complete two modules.
• The PGDip and PGCert are not available as full-time courses.

Entry Requirements

• 2:1 degree or its equivalent in Politics, History, International Relations or other related subjects.
• Equivalent relevant professional experience will be considered.

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

• MA: £9,550
• PGDip: £6,360
• PGCert: £3,180

International Students

• MA: £9,550
• PGDip: £6,360
• PGCert: £3,180

Careers and Employability

Our postgraduate degrees are an excellent way to enhance your expertise and career prospects. A postgraduate course in politics and/or international relations provides a foundation for a wide range of career options. You may seek to use your knowledge to work in government service, international organisations or areas of political research and journalism. Or you may opt to look for employment in an unrelated field such as banking, business or teaching where your MA will be respected as a postgraduate qualification.

The MA in Intelligence and Security will be of use to you if you are seeking professional development or enhanced employability working with intelligence in central government, the military, the police and cognate services (such as the National Crime Agency, Border Force and HM Prison Service), the private security sector (including political risk), NGOs, the UN or other international organisations.

Related Courses

• Human Rights and Global Ethics
• The Politics of Conflict and Violence
• International Relations and World Order
• Security, Conflict and International Development

Course Structure

MA

• Intelligence: Key Concepts and Debates
• Intelligence Techniques and Tradecraft
• Intelligence Failure
• Intelligence Ethics

Plus your Dissertation.

PGDip

• Intelligence: Key Concepts and Debates
• Intelligence Techniques and Tradecraft
• Intelligence Failure
• Intelligence Ethics

PGCert

• Intelligence: Key Concepts and Debates
• Intelligence Techniques and Tradecraft

Key Dates

• Start date: 6 October 2025
• Application deadline for October 2025 start: 15 September 2025
• Start date: 12 January 2026
• Application deadline for January 2026 start: 22 December 2025