Course information
UK fee £13,250
International fee £13,250
Taught by School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy
Admissions and course enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 5281
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Course description
Course description
The increasing professionalisation of the security industry has meant that both existing security professionals and those seeking entry into the profession view a postgraduate degree as essential to their career ambitions. The course will not only enable you to develop your academic knowledge of crime, risk and security management, but it will also strengthen your professional skills and abilities.
This distance learning degree will provide you with a thorough knowledge of security and crime risk analysis and management. You will develop an understanding of a range of theoretical models that explain why and how people commit crime, how to analyse and assess risk, and how to manage security.
You will gain a thorough grounding in theory and practice of security and risk management. The course will equip you with the skills to engage in informed debate about major issues in security and risk management and to design, conduct and critically appraise research and develop new approaches to problem solving which can be applied in practice.
You will also benefit from regular supported learning events – including an online Induction, an introduction to academic skills, and real time webinars with your Personal Tutor. You will also be invited to attend two online Study Schools, delivered by academics from the School of Criminology and wider University, that will allow you to develop your study skills and ability to conduct research. Study schools are held during Module 1 - Exploring and Understanding Risk and Security, and again at the start of your dissertation. Attendance is encouraged but optional and there is no additional cost involved.
The course will be of immense professional value if you are working within a security context, either in the private or public sector and want to further your career. Our MSc will support your professional work experience with an academic qualification which will enhance your CV and be used as evidence to demonstrate to your current or potential employer your skills and abilities.
Our links to the security industry – free Security Institute Membership
Our Department has long-establishment links to the security industry. We offer free membership to The Security Institute to all our distance learning students for the duration of their studies. The Security Institute is the UK's largest membership body for security professionals and there are several benefits of membership including: access to the Security Institute Mentoring Programme, the opportunity to participate in the Security Institute CPD Scheme and access to the Research Directorate Knowledge Centre.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
A first or second class honours degree or an equivalent professional qualification.
Special consideration will be given to applicants without an undergraduate degree who can demonstrate significant work experience and knowledge.
If you have at least five years' practical/professional experience and borderline qualifications you may be considered. Please ensure you clearly outline these in your personal statement, focusing on any managerial-level experience. Alternatively, you may be asked to complete the School's entry assessment in support of your application.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in October 2025 or April 2026
- MSc: £13,250
- PGDip: £8,825
- PGCert: £4,415
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you're eligible.
International Students
Starting in October 2025 or April 2026
- MSc: £13,250
- PGDip: £8,825
- PGCert: £4,415
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
A postgraduate distance learning qualification from the University of Leicester is career changing. It can be the springboard to promotion with your current employer, the platform to move into a new area or to simply become more effective in your current role.
Within Criminology at Leicester, distance learning is part of our core educational provision and our programmes are flexible, high quality and focussed on you and your needs.
The MSc in Security and Risk Management is designed for those working or intending to work in security and risk related areas or those interested in this field. The course will be of particular interest to anyone wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills and move up the career ladder or make a career transition. This course will help to provide an academic context and qualification that relates to your work experience in this area.
Students are based worldwide and most have a security function in common. They may be likely to be from the following sectors (although this is not exhaustive):
- The Armed Forces – serving, or those shortly leaving or who have left. We are an ELCAS learning provider
- The Police – serving or retired police officers
- The United Nations, aid agencies and international development bodies
- Private security companies
- Prison security management – public or private sector
- Healthcare security management – public or private sector
- Private sector organisations – including retail, finance, the energy sector – those responsible for the security function in these types of organisations
- Public sector organisations – those responsible for a range of security functions
- Security providers – guarding and specialist security services
- Security consultants
Our Career Development Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Course structure
MSc
MSc
- Exploring and Understanding Risk and Security (double module)
- Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
- Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
- Cybercrime
- Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
- Terrorism
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
PGDip
- Exploring and Understanding Risk and Security (double module)
- Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
- Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
- Cybercrime
- Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
- Terrorism
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.
PGCert
PGCert
Core module
- Exploring and Understanding Risk and Security (double module)
Option modules
- either Managing Security in the Workplace: Approaches, Regulation and Governance (double module)
or any two modules from:
- Research Methods 1 - Understanding research methods and data analysis
- Cybercrime
- Research Methods 2 - Writing a research proposal, research ethics and literature reviews
- Terrorism
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.
Why Leicester?
Criminology at Leicester has established itself as a thriving and internationally-renowned environment. We are one of the very few universities in the country to have its own area exclusively dedicated to researching and teaching criminology.
Our students benefit from learning in an environment exclusively dedicated to researching and teaching criminology, which is home to some of the UK’s leading criminologists.
Our teaching is inspired by the findings from our cutting-edge research. Lecturing staff have a wide array of research interests ranging from community policing and offending behaviour to hate crime.
We are regularly called on by local, national and international private, public and non-governmental organisations to assist with policy development, and by journalists needing information and advice on crime issues.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
All of your course material will be available online through the University of Leicester’s Virtual Learning Environment: Blackboard. As such you will need to have regular internet access. There are no real time lectures so you can access your course material at anytime from anywhere in the world.
Ongoing support is provided by a team of a dedicated academics and distance learning support staff. When you register with us, you will be assigned a Personal Tutor who is an academic within the School of Criminology. Your Personal Tutor can help you address assignments, reflect on your feedback and discuss any aspects of your study either by phone, MS Teams or email.
All course assessments will be submitted online via Blackboard, which will also enable you to exchange information and discuss topics with your fellow students and staff, as well as giving access to the University’s impressive and extensive e-library. You will also benefit from online Study School events at the start of your studies and again as you begin your dissertation.
Your initial Study School will focus on introducing you to your programme of study and developing the key academic skills you need to succeed at University. During the two-day event you'll be able to take part in a series of workshops addressing aspects such as essay writing, critical analysis and referencing.
Your second Study School will focus more on the skills you need to carry out dissertation research and will concentrate on topics such as designing ethical research, collecting and analysing different types of data, and using the University library services. Both events offer you an opportunity to interact with different members of academic staff and to discuss any individual study issues or queries.
Attendance is not a requirement of the course and materials presented at the Study School are made available via Blackboard. Student feedback has shown us that the event is rewarding, enriching and a useful supplement to online study.
Having delivered distance learning for over 35 years at the University of Leicester, we are aware of the specific challenges and benefits of studying at a distance and tailor our support to meet these needs.
Assessment
The MSc Security and Risk Management is based on continuous assessment, with each of the modules comprising up to three assessments. The assessments range from formal essays to preparing poster presentations and reflective journal exercises. The final stage towards your MSc degree is the completion of a dissertation.
Key dates
Start date: 7 April 2025
Application deadline for April 2025 start: 17 March 2025
Start date: 6 October 2025
Application deadline for October 2025 start: TBD
Start date: 6 April 2026
Application deadline for April 2026 start: TBD
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Security and Risk Management | Qualification MSc | Duration 2 years by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Security and Risk Management | Qualification PGDip | Duration 18 months by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Security and Risk Management | Qualification PGCert | Duration 1 year by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
Learning from some of the best minds in the field of Criminology has opened my eyes to a whole new world.