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Intelligence and Security MA, by distance learning

1-2 years, full- or part-time

From battling international terrorism to solving local crime, using intelligence has become crucial to security. But using it means understanding it – the debates and ethical concerns, how it’s collected and analysed. By exploring this topic in depth, you’ll learn what it takes to work in a number of important sectors.

Intelligence and Security MA, by distance learning, 1-2 years, full- or part-time

From battling international terrorism to solving local crime, using intelligence has become crucial to security. But using it means understanding it – the debates and ethical concerns, how it’s collected and analysed. By exploring this topic in depth, you’ll learn what it takes to work in a number of important sectors.

Course information

UK fee £9,550

International fee £9,550

Taught by Politics and International Relations

Course description

Course description

IAFIE logoThis 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

Fees and funding

Careers and employability

Related courses

Course structure

MA

MA

Plus your Dissertation.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

PGDip

PGCert

Why Leicester?

Distance learning lets you apply new knowledge and insights to your working life while you are still studying. Many students choose to tackle work-related topics in their dissertations.

Our staff play leading roles in cutting-edge global research networks, actively advising and engaging with global policy communities, civil society, the media and public.

You’ll have the opportunity to share ideas and debate with a diverse and interesting group of students, many of whom work in sectors related to security and conflict.

Teaching and learning

Distance Learning

This course is taught entirely online via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, therefore it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.

As a distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library's electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books. You can also make use of the University’s Career Development Service as well as a broad range of other support services.

If you live close to Leicester you can, of course, visit the Library in person. For UK-based students who wish to use other libraries, we can issue you with a card which allows you to do so. This is a national scheme which allows distance learning students to borrow material from up to three other participating libraries.

You will be guided through your modules by a well-trained and experienced tutor who will be available online throughout your studies. You will have access to the library’s special service for distance learning students, access to the internet and database services, as well as the virtual learning support environment, Blackboard.

Teaching and Assessment

You will get a weekly reading list accompanied by questions or exercises to get you thinking and help you engage critically with that week's literature. Each week you are invited to join our online forums to discuss your reading, ask questions, share ideas and debate arguments.

Alongside your weekly reading and discussions you are expected to complete module activities, designed to build a supportive online community of students as well as develop your key scholarly skills. E-tivities take the form of a combination of non-credit bearing and credit-bearing assessments designed to complement and support the learning objectives for your particular module. Credit-bearing assessments for each module include a reflective statement and an end of module essay.

Your modules are structured enough to keep your studies on track whilst remaining flexible to the unique needs of distance learners, many of whom we know combine studies with demanding jobs.

You will be supported by a dedicated team of tutors and support staff available through Blackboard and email. Administrative support is available by telephone, and you can contact your personal tutor via telephone or Skype. You will be encouraged to contact other students to share views, ideas and issues and to create a virtual student community.

For the MA you must complete a dissertation.

Key dates

Start date: 6 October 2025
Application deadline for October 2025 start: TBD

Start date: 12 January 2026
Application deadline for January 2026 start: TBD

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration Start Dates Availability
Course Intelligence and Security Qualification MA Duration 12 months by distance learning (full-time) Start Dates October each year Availability Apply Now
Course Intelligence and Security Qualification MA Duration 24 months by distance learning (part-time) Start Dates January and October each year Availability Apply Now
Course Intelligence and Security Qualification PGDip Duration 22 months by distance learning (part-time) Start Dates January and October each year Availability Apply Now
Course Intelligence and Security Qualification PGCert Duration 12 months by distance learning (part-time) Start Dates January and October each year Availability Apply Now
smiling student stood presenting to the room

The course has provided me an opportunity to improve my academic capabilities and represent my beliefs in a professional manner. The passion for international relations and politics that the staff display has convinced me that all my future goals are attainable.

Matt, MA International Relations

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