BSc (Hons) Global Security (Online)

In this module, you’ll explore the core principles of intelligence operations, from espionage and satellite imagery to managing covert sources. You’ll trace the evolution of intelligence from early spying to modern approaches in policing, commercial security, and cyber operations. You’ll also examine the rise of open-source intelligence, where citizen analysts use public data to produce powerful insights. By the end, you’ll understand how intelligence is planned, managed, and applied, as well as gain the skills to carry out operations yourself.

Security is a broad term that means protection from harm. It can be applied to individuals, communities, businesses, nations, and to cyber space. 

Whilst the concept of security is as old as human life, it is only in recent decades that it has grown into a professional discipline. 

This module provides a broad foundation of the key security concepts: the evolution of security, security threats, organisations’ security culture, physical protection, cyber security, security risk management, legal aspects, and the business of security. It also explains the organisational, national, and global context and the factors that influence approaches to security. 

You’ll dive into the core role analysis plays in intelligence, security, and organisational resilience, discovering how structured techniques bring clarity and rigour to complex problems. Through hands-on practice with widely used analytical tools, you’ll learn to break down information, spot patterns, and build assessments that are logical, transparent, and decision ready. You’ll apply these methods to various problems in the remainder of the course. By the end of the module, you’ll be ready to step into a team and contribute live analysis in either the public or private sector.

Open Source Intelligence analysis (OSINT) is the exploitation of public domain digital information to produce intelligence.

This module introduces you to OSINT tools and techniques, along with the platforms used to carry out online investigations. You’ll explore the risks involved in OSINT work and learn how to operate safely and responsibly. By the end, you’ll feel confident navigating the OSINT landscape and applying your skills in real-world contexts.

You’ll explore why information is one of the most valuable assets in any organisation, learning about the different types of information, how it  can be used, and the ways it might be lost. You’ll examine the risks of theft and leakage, and compare methods for protecting sensitive data. You’ll also bring together information and IT security to build a strong, integrated defence against modern threats. By applying cybersecurity principles to information security, you’ll understand how the two areas relate, where they differ, and how to respond effectively to evolving risks.

This module helps you build the academic and professional skills needed to succeed in higher education and in careers such as aviation, international security, the civil service, and policing. You’ll develop key academic abilities like research, critical thinking, writing, and presenting, while also gaining practical skills in time management, teamwork, problem solving, and data analysis. You’ll learn how to interpret assignment briefs, plan your work, and reflect on your personal development, with a focus on what employers value in today’s professional world.

This module explores how emerging technologies are reshaping the delivery of security at both corporate and national levels. You’ll examine key questions around the future use of technology in intelligence and resilience, the risks it introduces, and the convergence of physical and cyber domains. You’ll also consider the ethical and legal challenges of surveillance, the digitisation of risk, how to communicate risk to the public, and whether the future can truly be predicted.

This module gives you a broad foundation in global issues that shape the work of Intelligence, Security, and Resilience (ISR) professionals. You’ll explore how geopolitical, economic, environmental, technological, and social trends affect organisational resilience and security. With a focus on anticipating change, you’ll learn to interpret complex, fast-moving developments and consider how organisations can respond. By the end, you’ll understand the global context ISR professionals operate in and be ready to help shape strategic decisions.

This advanced module builds on your knowledge of Structured Analytical Techniques, introducing more complex methods and showing you how to integrate them into a full analytical plan. You’ll work in teams to lead, research, analyse, and present, gaining hands-on experience in live analysis. By the end, you’ll be equipped with a wide range of advanced tools and the confidence to lead small analytical tasks in high-pressure environments, including the cyber domain.

This module explores the growing role of financial intelligence in national and organisational security. You’ll examine how tracking financial activity can support investigations, disrupt threats, and strengthen resilience. With the rise of powerful corporate structures, you’ll learn how to work alongside financial specialists and integrate their insights into broader intelligence operations. By the end, you’ll be equipped to request, direct, and apply financial intelligence confidently within complex investigations.

This module examines terrorism as a complex, controversial, and deeply impactful global political issue. You’ll examine how terrorism has evolved across regions, the conditions that fuel it, and the strategies and tactics used by terrorist groups.

You’ll review terrorists’ political strategy as well as their violent tactics, including attacks by bomb, gun, gas, knife as well as hijacking and kidnapping. 

You’ll analyse media influence, the political challenges of counter-terrorism, and key events like 9/11 and the War on Terror. You’ll also explore how governments respond, through intelligence, special forces, and protective measures, while balancing security and civil liberties.

In this module, you’ll explore the major challenges of policing the digital world. Topics include cyber deviance, online radicalisation, cyber subcultures, and the risks posed by AI.

You’ll examine ideological drivers behind cyber threats and analyse how criminal activity is evolving online. You’ll also learn about countermeasures used to protect communities, businesses, and governments from cyber terrorism.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the complex role of policing and justice in cyberspace.

Gain real-world experience by applying your studies in a professional setting. You’ll build key skills, boost your confidence, and enhance your career prospects.

You’ll reflect on your strengths, identify areas for growth, and create a development plan with expert support. Internships are offered annually, with options to apply for listed roles or propose your own (subject to approval). Formats include in-person, remote, or hybrid, depending on availability.

This module brings you together with peers for a series of workshops and guest lectures designed to connect your learning with real-world careers.

You’ll hear from professionals tackling current global security and intelligence challenges, take part in scenario-based exercises, and explore how your skills apply across a range of sectors. Sessions will introduce both obvious and unexpected career paths.

Each activity feeds into your reflective journal and helps you build a professional profile aligned with the skills needed for roles in intelligence, security, and resilience careers.

Many organisations operate in high-risk environments worldwide, facing challenges such as geopolitical tensions, travel safety concerns, and industrial espionage. Commercial intelligence services play a crucial role in mitigating these risks by enhancing an organization's situational awareness and improving its foresight. Intelligence analysts in this field continuously monitor and analyse various intelligence sources to understand the threat landscape, anticipate risks, and provide proactive solutions.

This module explores the ethical and legal challenges faced by intelligence professionals, especially when national security conflicts with individual rights. You’ll examine laws, moral obligations, and real-world cases where privacy, dignity, and human rights are at stake.

You’ll learn to assess the ethical implications of controversial intelligence activities and develop frameworks to guide difficult decisions early in your career.

In this module, you’ll apply your learning to a real-world corporate security challenge. Ideal if you're aiming for a career in corporate security or business, you’ll work in teams to research, analyse, and respond to a current issue, either proposed by you, the module leader, or a partner organisation.

You’ll explore how businesses manage risk amid competing priorities and produce a group portfolio with your analysis, insights, and recommendations.

This module prepares you to lead small teams with confidence, combining leadership theory with practical exercises based on real-world challenges. You’ll study successful leaders - past and present - and take part in workshops to develop your own leadership style.

By the end, you’ll be ready to guide teams through analytical tasks and deliver professional presentations to clients.

This module explores the real-world role of espionage and counterespionage in both statecraft and global business, far beyond the fiction of Cold War novels and spy films.

You’ll examine how espionage operates across the UK’s four security pillars: physical, personnel, technical, and cyber. You’ll examine long-standing principles and bring them to life by applying them to contemporary case studies. You will also design and plan our own theoretical operation.