Program Overview

Postgraduate Certificate in Covert Action, HUMINT and the Psychology of Intelligence Elicitation

Course Overview

This postgraduate course explores the state's use of covert action and human intelligence (HUMINT) in limiting or avoiding war, stifling hostile intentions, and progressing foreign policy aims. It critically analyzes the types of covert action deployed by states, from propaganda to political violence to paramilitary action, and offers a framework for evaluating the success or otherwise of covert action in an ethical context.

Entry Requirements

• A first or second-class honors degree from a recognized university
• A recognized professional qualification and/or relevant work experience
• Mature students are welcome to apply
• International students are welcome to apply, with English language requirements applying

Teaching & Assessment

The program comprises three modules of ten weeks each, covering Covert Action, Human Intelligence (HUMINT), and the psychology of intelligence elicitation. Assessment is constituted by written assignments, including essays on big-picture issues and short policy-paper exercises submitted online. Tutor support is provided throughout, and there are opportunities to attend workshops and symposia in person at the university.

Module 1: Covert Action

• Understanding and defining covert action
• Disinformation, propaganda, and fake news
• Political Action – regime change and election interference
• Covert paramilitary action
• Assassinations and targeted killings
• Covert Action case studies – UK, USA, and Russia, China
• Covert cyber activity

Module 2: Human Intelligence (HUMINT)

• HUMINT and the law
• Informants – identification, recruitment, and deployment
• Undercover policing
• Online HUMINT
• Cooperating or assisting offenders
• Community intelligence
• Operational ethics and HUMINT use

Module 3: The Psychology of Intelligence Elicitation

• Detecting lies and deceit
• Interview models
• Characteristics of good intelligence
• Ethics of interrogation
• Use of non-coercive elicitation techniques
• Motivations for source cooperation

Course Fees

• UK fees: £3,163
• International fees: £3,163
• The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI)

Research Areas

• Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS)
• Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology (BCAB)
• Institute for Biomedical and Biosciences Research
• Dyslexia Hub
• The Centre of Heterodox Social Science

About the University

• The University of Buckingham is a UKVI Student Sponsor
• The University is an approved learning provider for the MOD
• The program is an approved course – (ELCAS Provider I.D. 1460)