International Security and Risk Management

MSc

Course Overview

Developed by PerpetuityARC Training, the online MSc in International Security and Risk Management is delivered in partnership with the University of West London.

The programme explores critical issues in security management and combines theoretical knowledge with professional best-practice. Throughout this Masters degree course, you will work on developing a set of transferable skills, including report writing, developing business cases and research proposals. This means that the skills you develop on this course will support your career goal within the professional security and risk management sector.

You will cover both theoretical concepts and the application of theory in practical scenarios, with an interesting and diverse set of modules.

This Masters degree equips the modern security professional with skills to address a range of complex challenges within contemporary security management at a senior level. You’ll be encouraged to think critically and demonstrate your ability to back up arguments with research.

The course is completed online, which enables you to study from any location, working at your own pace. This flexibility means you can work around other professional commitments, whilst gaining a highly regarding academic qualification backed by a renowned university.

Course Detail & Modules

The online MSc in International Security and Risk Management explores critical issues in security management and combines theoretical knowledge with professional best practice.

Throughout the course students will continue to develop a set of soft skills, such as writing reports, developing business cases and research proposals relevant to the professional security and risk management sector. These skills cover both theoretical concepts and the application of theory in practical scenarios.

Equipping the modern security professional with the appropriate skills to address a range of complex challenges within contemporary security management at a senior level, students are encouraged to explore the critical issues from a strategic perspective.

During the Masters degree programme, you will be enrolled with the University of West London – the awarding body  – which gives you access to the online university e-library.

Students interact with their cohort through an online virtual learning system, which includes virtual forums and discussion groups. Students have full access to course tutors throughout the course as well as scheduled 1-1 tutorials and live webinars. As part of their studies, students will undertake 5 modules and a dissertation.

To provide students with the essential knowledge and the core skills to enable students to plan, design and manage corporate security operations in a risk-commensurate, cost-effective way and to provide an environment to exercise those skills.

To provide strategic-level skills and knowledge, enabling students to research, examine and design security policy and strategy at corporate level. This module allows strategy to be combined with the latest international best practice, to ensure that operations are effective and appropriate in a multi-site, multi-disciplinary environment.

To provide a critical understanding of what International Security and Risk Management is and how it works, including understanding the needs of International Security and Risk Management Producers and Consumers. Exploring the application of Security and Risk Management in a corporate environment.

This module looks at how security adds value through traditional financial models such as cost-benefit analysis. It covers key financial concepts and examines financial planning and budgeting. The module also explores how marketing and sales functions operate in relation to income generation; and how security works interacts with these areas, as security and privacy are increasingly important to consumers and businesses. You will examine effective business decision making, taking into account operating in a global risk economy, emerging markets, government policy and change management.

This module teaches the skills required to research and examine issues in crime, risk and security. It also covers how to critically evaluate the effectiveness of current International Security and Risk Management interventions and consider improvements based upon the evaluation undertaken.

The dissertation module enables students to further develop the knowledge and skills acquired during the course. It provides an opportunity for independent research of a relevant topic of the student’s own specific interest.

How much time should I dedicate to my studies?

You have the option of following one of two routes on this programme; full-time for 1 year, or part-time for 2 years. The route that you choose should be based on how much time you can realistically dedicate to study, and we are always happy to talk your options through with you, prior to submitting your application.

In terms of average weekly hour study commitment for the full-time MSc course, we would typically recommend 7-10 hours per week, and 5-7 hours per week for part-time, however this depends on you as the course is very much self-study. We typically advise learners who are in full-time employment to choose the part-time route.

Graduates of this course will be invited to attend their graduation ceremony at the University of West London, and can celebrate with the rest of their cohort in person!

Fees & Study Options

£8280

For full-time study

£4140

Per annum for part-time study

Next Intake

Funding your studies

There are a number of funding options available for the MSc Programme: 

  • If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees. Applications may take a few weeks to process so we advise factoring this into your Masters application and start date.
  • The University accepts ELCAS funding for those who are eligible. Further details about ELCAS funding can be found on the ELCAS website. All ELCAS funding is done via ELCAS, not PerpetuityARC Training. The provider is the University of West London.  

The University also offers a tranched payment plan to help which delegates may be able to apply for. You will need to discuss this directly with the University finance team. Students will pay their course fees directly to the University after they’ve enroled. 

Entry Requirements

What do I need?

A good honours degree or appropriate professional qualification(s); or HND/Level 5 qualification in a relevant discipline with relevant experience; or equivalent international qualifications.

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be made and will be assessed. Holders of the Security Institute Advanced Diploma (Level 7) in Security Management may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning of up to 40 credits.

All applications will be considered on an individual basis.

A good honours degree or appropriate professional qualification(s); or HND/Level 5 qualification in a relevant discipline with relevant experience; or equivalent international qualifications. To find out more about the qualification entry requirements, please click here: https://www.uwl.ac.uk/international/your-country

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be made and will be assessed. Holders of the Security Institute Advanced Diploma (Level 7) in Security Management may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning of up to 40 credits.

If you are from a country that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have not defined as majority English speaking, you will need to provide evidence of your language ability to study this course.

If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or have completed an undergraduate degree in one of these countries, you may be exempt from submitting an English language test.

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening), or equivalent, please refer to the link below.

To find out more about the English language requirements accepted from your country, please click here: https://www.uwl.ac.uk/international/your-country/english-language-requirements 

All applications will be considered on an individual basis.

How to Apply?

Intakes for the master’s degree are twice a year: February and September. The next cohort is February 2025. Those interested in undertaking the MSc can complete a contact form here and a friendly member of our team will be in touch. We can discuss your application and you’ll be asked to complete a full application form, to be returned along with any required documentation. These documents could include certificates, written references, details about your work history and copy of passport/photo ID. Applicants will also be required to participate in a video call in order to confirm their identity as part of the application process.

Once your application is complete, PerpetuityARC Training will validate your qualifications and work history. If this is satisfactory, you will be invited to finalise your application and your details will be passed to the University. The University will issue you with a link and instructions on how to set up your university account, and payment is then directly to the University.

International students will be asked to confirm their English language skills. We recommend that if you have questions regarding eligibility, you should contact us in the first instance or visit: https://www.uwl.ac.uk/international/your-country/english-language-requirements.

We will discuss your situation with you and will help, in any way that we can.

Quality Assurance

Linx International Group and the MSc International Security and Risk Management has been validated through the University of West London and is subject to the academic quality and standards of the University.

As the awarding body for this qualification is the University of West London, Professor Alison Wakefield serves as the Link Tutor, moderating and verifying the assessment marking before they are submitted to the annual examination board for final approval and awarding of grades. Queries relating to quality assurance can be directed to Professor Alison Wakefield.

Meet the MSc Academic Team

Alison Wakefield

Alison Wakefield

Link Tutor

Alison Wakefield BSc (Hons) M.Phil Ph.D CSyP FSyI, is the Professor of Criminology and Security Studies at the University of West London, and Co-Director of UWL’s Cybersecurity and Criminology Centre. She is the Link Tutor for this MSc programme. Alison previously taught at the University of Portsmouth, the University of New South Wales in Sydney, ...
Garry Evanson

Garry Evanson

Lead Tutor

Garry Evanson BA (Hons) MSc FSyI, serves as the lead MSc tutor on our flagship MSc programme with the University of West London. Prior to joining the Linx Group he had a full career as an officer in the Royal Military Police following graduation from Sandhurst, followed by 15 years in the private sector firstly as Group Head of Security DeLaRue plc...
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Ayesha Juddoo

Tutor

Ayesha Juddoo BA (Hons) MSc is the Learning and Development Coordinator for PerpetuityARC, part of the Linx International Group. Ayesha is involved in the management and coordination of the MSc International Security and Risk Management course, which is delivered in partnership with the University of West London, and provides student support for th...
Keeva Gilchrist

Keeva Gilchrist

Tutor

Keeva Gilchrist BA (Hons) MSc MSyI is the Learning and Development Manager for PerpetuityARC Training, part of the Linx International Group. Within her team, Keeva assists with design, development and delivery of a range of security and risk management training programmes, varying from levels 2 through to MSc. As part of her role within PerpetuityA...