Intelligence and Security Studies (Distance Learning) MA

Program Overview

Overview

Intelligence and security policy issues are one of the fastest growing areas of academic and public concern. National governments, international agencies and international corporations need employees with a strong grasp of intelligence and security concerns who can also demonstrate first-rate skills of research and assessment.

Intelligence and Security Studies at Brunel offers you a unique opportunity for practical, policy-oriented graduate study of intelligence issues across the private and public sectors around the world.

The course is taught over two years through a range of online resources including participation in the Brunel Simulated Intelligence Analysis Exercise (BASE) on a real-world subject. The MA will allow you to demonstrate your ability to complete a substantial piece of intelligence and security research through a dissertation project. You will also be trained in Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) collection methods, for which you will receive a separate certificate.

You will connect to the a team of supportive academic staff through online tutorials during their office hours and take part in a week long residential course on campus consisting of workshops, presentations and exercises.

You’ll be taught by a dynamic team of multi-disciplinary and multi-lingual scholars, whose expertise covers matters from cutting-edge analytical techniques to scholarship on intelligence, the state, and society. Our scholars are policy-relevant, and frequently work with colleagues in government.

These scholars are part of the Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS) that produce important original research that is published worldwide and contributes to the success of government and business in the UK.

Graduates secure jobs in the private and public sector with most pursuing careers in intelligence and security studies. Many of our graduates find employment in successful firms founded by our alumni. Those already in government employment find the course supports their promotion, commissions or provides new employment opportunities post-retirement.

Private sector opportunities are especially strong in analytical functions for the banking, resources and risk and the burgeoning private intelligence and security sector.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Program Outline

Course content

Intelligence and Securities Studies MA is structured around a core of compulsory modules and one optional choice, plus a dissertation in a subject of your choice.

This course can be studied 2 years part-time distance learning, starting in September.

Year 1

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel

Careers and your future

The MA in Intelligence and Security Studies (MAISS) provides solid transferable skills in analysis and drafting, skills whose applicability cuts across a wide range of public and private pursuits. Our students have had great success in seeking employment once they have completed their course. Many have come from, and then continue to work for, government agencies in the UK and abroad — we have taught police, military, and other government officials from the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Belgium, , Japan, Jordan, the Gulf, the Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Botswana and many other nations beside.

Within the UK, students with no service experience have gone on to work for the British Security Service, Defence Intelligence, the National Crime Agency, and other departments of government. Many students have noted to us that the innovative studies they undertook on our programme were important topics of discussion in their interviews. Those already in Government employment have successfully used their MAs to leverage promotion or commissioning.

Assessment and feedback

Students are assessed on a mixture of individual and group work. To complete your MA, you will undertake a substantial piece of written research in a topic of your choice under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor.

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.