MSc Security and Risk (Learning at Work)

Program Overview

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Security and Risk (Learning at Work) MSc

Key Information

Study Mode and Duration

• Flexible

Start Date

• September 2025
• January 2026

Course Information

Overview

Earn a postgraduate qualification in security and risk while you work, and open career paths by combining your existing experience with Master’s-level study.

On this MSc Security and Risk degree, you’ll follow a programme of study designed in collaboration with the Defence College of Policing and Guarding at Southwick Park. You’ll be able to use what you've learnt in your military career so far to earn credits toward your qualification, and to support that with study modules that will help you find senior roles in the risk and security sector.

You'll enhance your understanding of the theoretical issues and emerging practice in the field, with options to shape your study to your interests. You can earn module credits for topics you already know through our Recognition of Prior Learning scheme, and use the MOD's Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) funding to pay for your studies. The way you learn is flexible, so you can study wherever is most convenient for you and schedule your studies around your existing commitments.

When you complete the course, you'll have developed the skills and knowledge to better meet your employer's objectives, and to support you in your career aspirations.

Eligibility

This course is only available to serving and former military personnel.

Because the course is work-based, you need to already be in a full-time, part-time or voluntary role.

Course Duration

This course isn't tied to the University's timetables or academic calendar. So you can work at your own pace, in your own time and in your own location. You must complete the course within 5 years.

You can complete the course more quickly if you have relevant work experience, training or qualifications that you can put towards your degree. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). You can use RPL for up to 120 of the 180 credits you need to accumulate to get your Master's degree.

We recommend you study modules worth 60 credits a year. Typically, a student who enters with the maximum RPL of 120 credits and has only 60 credits to study would take 12-18 months to complete the course.

Entry Requirements

MSc Security and Risk degree (Learning at Work) entry requirements

Qualifications or experience

• A degree or equivalent. Other qualifications such as HNDs and Foundation degrees, supported by several years of relevant post-qualification experience in responsible posts, may also be acceptable.
• Applicants are usually working at a professional level.
• If you do not hold a level 6 qualification you may be required to present evidence of your ability to study at level 6.
• Military personnel and former military personnel who have undertaken training and gained recognised experience at four distinct levels will be able to gain entry onto level 5, level 6 and level 7 programmes.
• Applicants may be asked to attend an online interview.

English language requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition fees

Your tuition fee depends on if you have been awarded any Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and how many credits you need to study. To achieve a postgraduate Master's degree, you need to accumulate a total of 180 credits. Tuition fees may be subject to annual increase.

60 credits (to be paid over 1 year)

• 60 credits: £4,200

90–120 credits (can be split over 1 or 2 years)

• 90 credits: £6,300
• 120 credits: £8,400

150–180 credits (can be split over 1, 2, or 3 years)

• 150 credits: £10,500
• 180 credits: £12,600

We'll apply an even yearly split to your course fee as listed in the schedule above. If you want us to consider an alternative schedule of payments, please contact us before the course start date.

Until RPL has been confirmed, you'll need to pay the full course fee.

If you're an armed forces student in receipt of funding, e.g. ELCAS, any documentation must show the correct start date and tuition fee. If not, we can't accept it and you'll have to pay the course fee yourself.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Recommended reading

If you choose to study online modules you may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module. Most texts are available online through the library.

General costs

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

Final year project

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolio

There's a fee before you start the course if we need to assess a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolio. If you're starting in September 2025 or January 2026, the fee is £1,200.

What You'll Study

At the start of the course, you'll put together a Learning Contract with the University and your employer that outlines what you'll study.

To get a Master's degree, you need to accumulate a total of 180 credits. If you leave the course before you accumulate 180 credits, you can get a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) if you've accumulated 60 credits or a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) if you've accumulated 120 credits. You can get these credits in three ways.

1. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You can get credit for the qualifications and experience you already have such as a PgCert or PgDip in a computing subject. This can also include in-service training courses and qualifications as well as learning from on-the-job experience.

This is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). You can use RPL for up to 120 (two thirds) of the 180 credits you need to get your degree.

Contact us to find out if you can receive RPL credit for your current qualifications or work experience.

2. Work-based learning (WBL) projects

Most of your learning will come from work-based learning (WBL) projects. These are projects that are valuable to your employer, which you complete at work.

Examples of WBL projects include Adaptation of Existing Systems to Increase Reliability and Developing New Software Solutions.

These projects won't involve activities you do in your day-to-day job as they need to involve new learning for you. You'll do most of the work for these projects in your normal working hours.

3. Modules

You can study campus-based or distance learning modules to expand your knowledge and understanding or to develop new skills in a more structured way.

Modules that previous students have studied include Computer Security, Computer Forensics, Programming Skills for the Web, Web Asset and Application Development, and Information Systems Development and Management.

Teaching

How you're taught will depend on which modules you take and the work-based learning projects you do.

Most of the course is delivered via our interactive virtual learning environment. With access to all the study material you’ll need, discussion forums, and the chance to connect with peers and lecturers via chat sessions, you’ll have plenty of academic support and heaps of resources.

Depending on the modules you study and your location, you may also be able to study on campus, experiencing face-to-face teaching methods.

Assessment

The way you're assessed will depend on which modules you take and the work-based learning projects you do.

Support While You Study

Types of support

Skills support Extra support

During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.

Support is available for skills including:

• University study
• Getting into the right study mindset
• Note-taking and note-making skills
• Referencing
• Presentation skills
• Time management, planning, and goal setting
• Critical thinking
• Avoiding plagiarism

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

To help you juggle this course alongside your work and home life, you'll get extra support from:

• a Workplace Mentor chosen by you – someone at work who can offer advice, guidance, and moral support
• an Academic Tutor specialising in your area of study
• a Learning Manager who oversees your programme

Admissions Terms and Conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.

Recognition of Work-Based and Distance Learning Courses

Our Learning at Work degrees at levels 6 and 7 are approved by the University under its powers to award degrees. They comply with the Office for Students (OFS) and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) standards in the United Kingdom.

These qualifications are generally recognised internationally but as with distance learning type courses, each country will have its own regulations and rules on work based and distance learning education. You should check with the qualification recognition authority in the country you reside in or intend to use the degrees to secure employment, that the Learning at Work degrees are recognised by them before you commit to studying with us.

We also strongly recommend you check that your employer recognises the value of our work based/distance learning courses. Some countries, including Singapore, state the 'value of the qualification is subject to the employer'.

Applications from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar

We are currently unable to offer our courses to applicants who are nationals of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.

If you're not a national citizen but are working or living in these countries, you can enrol onto our Learning at Work courses. You'll need to sign an Applicant Declaration Letter to confirm you understand that the University of Portsmouth won't accept any liability issues you may have with the recognition of your distance learning course, with your government or employer.

Applications from India and China

If you’re a national or foreign national in India or China, you can enrol onto our Learning at Work courses. You'll need to sign an Applicant Declaration Letter to confirm you understand that the University of Portsmouth won't accept any liability issues you may have with the recognition of your distance learning course, with your government or employer.

Applications from Oman

We're unable to accept enrolment from nationals or foreign nationals from Oman.