Masters Degrees (Security Sector Reform)

*Please note that the MSc Security Sector Management course is currently being reviewed. This may mean some changes for the next academic year. Please check the website for the latest information.

Course Description

The objectives of this programme are for participants to be able to develop and implement strategic security sector plans and analyse, communicate and evaluate the broader implications for related areas within state and regional frameworks.

Course overview

By the end of the MSc, students should be able to:

- Display knowledge of the players, processes and structures across a state’s wider security sector
- Understand the skill sets required to implement and manage the effective governance of national security policy and resources
- Fully comprehend the way in which national security requirements and development priorities are managed in a mutually supportive way
- Develop transferable skills in areas such as strategic management, project, and leadership challenges
- Critically analyse and evaluate strategic national security policy, donor policy and the development agenda
- Produce workable sector strategies, programme plans, change management schemes and performance assessment criteria
- Implement national security plans within identified constraints
- Plan, manage, monitor and evaluate projects and programmes in the security and development sector

Programme options:

- Postgraduate certificate: Requires the completion of Module 1 and 2, plus 4 other modules
- Postgraduate diploma: Requires the completion of all modules
- Masters of Science: Requires the completion of all modules as well as a 20,000-word research dissertation.

This course is offered as an executive part-time residential course and it is also the intention to launch a blended learning variant of this course in September 2016, combining residential sessions at either end of the taught phase of the Course with distance learning for the remaining 8 modules. The awards of MSc, PgDip and PgCert would all apply to the blended learning option.

The Security Sector Management programme is suitable for those who work in any security or development related organisation – as a policy maker or practitioner. The programme is also relevant to those who may wish to enhance their knowledge and skills based on a related 1st degree or those seeking to pursue careers in the field of security sector management.

You will be taught by faculty from Cranfield University, many of whom are world leaders in their field. These experts will share knowledge on a wide range of current global security-related challenges (such as governance, the environment, information security and institution-building), as well as ideas and frameworks to respond to these challenges. Modules are taught in the UK at Cranfield Defence and Security, Shrivenham, which is co-located with the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, as well as at the University’s central campus at Cranfield in Bedfordshire, UK.

Individual Project

A 20,000 word researched based dissertation will take the student approximately 6 months to complete. The dissertation phase of the MSc programme provides an excellent opportunity to further explore cutting edge issues in the broader security sector debate, and the way in which these issues impact on both theory and practice.

Modules

Core -

Issues in International Security, Conflict and Development
Building State Capacity
Change Management and Leadership
Governance and Oversight
Managing Intelligence Reform
Managing Public Security and Rule of Law
Managing Risk
Managing Security Sector Projects and Programmes
Study Skills and Research Methodology
Strategic Planning for Security and Development
The Economics of Security

Assessment

Examinations, assignments, presentations, and project dissertation.

Funding

For more information on funding please contact [email protected]

Career opportunities

This course gives students the skills and knowledge to be able to contribute to security sector management as a practitioner or policy maker in government, the private sector, or the not-for-profit sector. The course is set at the national and regional strategic level.

Further Information

For further information on this course, please visit our course webpage - http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/Courses/Masters/Security-Sector-Management

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Course outline

This degree aims to deliver an understanding of the contemporary security and intelligence environment in western democracies, focusing particularly on the law enforcement environment in the UK.

As well as the MA, studied over 12 months, these programmes are available:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Law Enforcement, Security and Intelligence (9 months, starting in September)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Law Enforcement, Security and Intelligence (6 months, starting in September)

There is a national and international need for graduates to acquire the skills to analyse security and intelligence matters. Emphasis is placed on relating academic and historical analyses to contemporary problems and policy questions especially in the UK but also to western states in general. This course uniquely uses a degree of “practice” expertise within those delivering the programme.
This MA is aimed at both those seeking professional skills and those requiring a more general grounding in this subject. Graduates will be able to demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of security and intelligence issues. For the Law Enforcement intelligence community in particular, this programme offers one component of “professionalisation” within the growing and increasingly significant career pathway of intelligence within the overall arena of policing in the contemporary UK.
The five modules and dissertation on an agreed topic fit together to deliver a strong contemporary security and intelligence focus for students by:

• providing a robust theoretical model, or argued thesis in which a student’s research, reading and writing may be placed;
• outlining and examining the key priority geopolitical threats facing the UK;
• exploring the context in which security and intelligence agencies and the law enforcement intelligence sector are required to operate.

Drawing on the extensive practitioner experience of some of the fellows of the University of Buckingham Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS), it examines carefully and in detail the security and intelligence tradecraft and machinery which interface with these threats, paying due attention to a number of plans for reform both in the UK and beyond.

About BUCSIS

BUCSIS was established in 2008 as a world-class centre for research into the key Security and Intelligence issues facing the UK and the world in the 21st century. The Centre is headed by a leading academic in the field, Professor Anthony Glees, and is supported by a research and teaching team led by Dr Julian Richards, a Security Studies specialist with a long experience of working in the UK government on defence and security policy issues. More information about BUCSIS.

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MSc International Policing is specially devised for law enforcement professionals, especially in developing countries. This postgraduate award provides a modern, problem orientated, democratic and community based approach to policing.

The MSc International Policing course will enhance your understanding and practical application of modern policing models and partnership working. You will study modern management, leadership styles and practices, the policing of security sectors and consensus-driven policing.

To gain an extra perspective, you will study some modules alongside students on the MSc Community and Partnerships programme.

What You Will Study

Postgraduate Certificate:

Operational Planning and Investigation
Strategic Management and Leadership in the Police
International Comparisons in Policing or Security Sector Reform

Postgraduate Diploma:

Problem-orientated Partnerships
Community Safety
Researching Contemporary Issues
Neighbourhood Analysis and Performance

MSc:

This award requires completion of a Dissertation Development module and a dissertation.

How You Will Study

This award is delivered through online, distance learning, which enables you to combine your studies with work-based learning. You will interact with other professionals through a specially designed virtual learning system, which includes virtual forums and discussion groups.

Your learning will be supported by the course team, textbooks and related documents supplied by the University.
Assessment will be work-based, including essays and reflections on discussion groups.
Online delivery also means there is no set start date for this award.
Modules start at various times of the year and new students are welcome to join whenever a new module begins.

How does this course make me employable?

This award is designed for law enforcement practitioners, including police officers. This creative, flexible course is aimed at law enforcement professionals who want to gain a postgraduate award that accredits their standing in this field and to network with other practitioners. The knowledge, skills and insights gained on this course should support self development and enable you to enhance the quality of performance in your organisation.

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International Security, a specialization of the master International Relations, is aimed at issues of power politics and international order, peace and war, and strategy and diplomacy. Its main focus is the phenomenon of, and theoretical reflection on, 'violence' in its broader context.

Traditionally, attention for warfare and political violence, i.e. military security, has dominated the study of International Security. They still form the central issues. But especially after the Cold War other concerns occupy the agenda, such as environmental security (about climate change or industrial hazards), societal security (about group identities) and economic security (about welfare and development). These different types of concerns have their own meaning when studying the causes of violent conflict, its prevention and management, and conflict resolution and reconciliation.

Methodologically, the study of International Security has profited from the so-called constructivist turn in International Relations. In addition to traditional analyses new approaches have emerged, most notably Critical Security Studies, the Copenhagen School, and the Risk Society approach.

Why in Groningen?

The Master's specialization International Security: (a) pays attention to the theoretical developments as well as the dimensions of the contemporary security agenda; (b) offers a research-led and policy-oriented curriculum taught by a committed staff; (c) includes a career-oriented internship that prepares graduates for the labour market; and (d) provides an excellent preparation for positions at a broad variety of security-oriented and conflict-management related institutions.

Job perspectives

The Master's specialization is broad in scope and gives students a solid foundation in international relations. There is consequently a wide range of employment opportunities for International Relations graduates. The most obvious profession is a policy advisor, but you could also become a researcher, lobbyist, diplomat, or PR officer. You can work in international business, non-profit or government organizations, in the media, and at a university or a private research institute.

Research International Security

The chairgroup International Security Studies (ISS) is part of the Department of IRIO. The six permanent staff members and over 10 PhD students all contribute to the Faculty's research theme Conflict Studies. This is done at various levels of abstraction, focusing on various issue-areas and on various political contexts.

At the theoretical level the chairgroup aims to contribute to a better understanding of conceptualizations of security in time and space. How have academic debates in security studies evolved and how do they relate to security policies? This implies a focus on securitization theory, regional security complex theory, strategic studies, critical security studies and peace research.
In terms of issue-areas the group presently studies developments in military & defence policies, terrorism, peace making, peace building &peace keeping - including security sector reform -, societal security in relation to social identities and state formation, and finally securitization in energy, food, and health policies.
In terms of political contexts, the group focuses on institutional and regional settings in which security policies are shaped and implemented. Developments in Intergovernmental Organizations are studied - notably, in the European Union, NATO and the United Nations Security Council, and also in Non-Governmental Organizations in close cooperation with the research projects related to the Network on Humanitarian Action. The chairgroup has regional expertise about security politics in Europe (including Turkey), the Middle East, parts of Sub-Sahara Africa, and China.

The chairgroup brings much of its research interests together in the specialization International Security of the MA degree program IRIO.

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At the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, we conduct research and offer MPhil supervision in all major fields of politics, including: international and global politics, governance and political organisations, and political theory.

We can offer you excellent supervision for your Politics MPhil, in a vibrant and supportive research environment.

We have a Politics Postgraduate Society, which organises:
-The 'New Voices' seminar series, with both internal and external presenters
-Round table discussions on topical issues
-Professional development workshops led by politics staff

You are encouraged to attend conferences to present papers, partial funding for this is available from the School.

Our main research themes are:

The politics of difference

We examine the issues thrown up by the social and political differences of humanity from a variety of perspectives including: analytical and continental political philosophy; comparative politics and international politics; post-colonialism. Our work includes research on:
-Multiculturalism and issues of identity
-Inequality and social justice
-Disability
-Competing discourses of national identity
-Ethnic-nationalism
-Political violence
-Socio-political exclusion and discrimination
-Global norms and cultural difference
-Free speech - toleration and recognition

Popular culture and political communication

Our research addresses various key issues including:
-Representation
-Aesthetics
-Identity
-Cultural political economy
-Memory
-Control

We also assess the processes and depiction of political struggles, such as:
-Armed conflict
-Everyday life
-Political organising and identity formation
-Elections

Political participation and elections

We examine the differing forms of political participation that link society to the political systems of the world. We look at both the formal electoral process and non-electoral politics (social movements, protest groups etc). Our research on the emergence of virtual political participation means that some of our work intersects with popular culture and political communication. We investigate:
-Citizen involvement and (dis)engagement
-Social capital
-Non-participation
-The role of civil society

Political ideologies and political thought

We focus on the history of political thought as well as how these ideas are embedded in programmes for political action. Our research incorporates both historical and contemporary political thought prominent in the Western tradition as well as Asian philosophy and post-colonial thinking. This is an interdisciplinary theme, serving as a bridge between empirical political science and political theory.

Global economic and environmental challenges

We study the importance of political ideas such as sustainable development and globalisation, as well as the struggle to define the core problems that society faces. These challenges pose questions to the nature and reform of global governance, and generate tensions between the state and transnationalising forces in global politics and political economy. Our work has already led to findings on:
-The implications for global justice
-The policy challenge for governments and non-governmental actors
-The empowerment of various actors

Democracy, the modern state and political organisations

Our work examines the role of interest groups, social movements, political parties, third-sector actors and charities, community organisations and postcolonial nationalism in relation to the modern state. We draw from ancient and modern political thought to understand the interpretation of democracy (including democratic rights and the foundations of democracy). Our research interrogates the forms democracy takes, including:
-Elite theories of democracy
-Deliberative democracy
-Cosmopolitan democracy
-Democracy in divided societies

Political economy of development

Our research focuses on the interaction of economic forces and principles with political power in the development of societal economics and welfare, as well as on theories of development and post-development. We cover a range of geographic areas in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia. We explore questions such as:
-The impact of the ongoing financial and economic crisis
-The role of communities and individuals in the face of global political economic forces
-The impact of the emerging economies (for example Brazil and China) on the global political economy

Critical geopolitics and security

Our research focuses on thinking critically about the political dynamics, consequences and discourses of historical and contemporary geopolitics. We cover both historical and contemporary questions of security, including:
-The territorialisation/de-territorialisation of identity and political agency
-Political cartography
-The role of fear and identity in shaping geopolitics
-Sovereignty and nationalism - the role and impact of the military
-Notions of terrorism and the war on terror
-The geographies of international boundaries
-The war on the trade in illegal substances
-The city and security
-The threat of biological weapons and infectious disease
-The vertical dimension in geopolitical and security studies
-Visual culture and world politics
-Technologies and architectures of security and insecurity
-The human body and security

Theory of international relations

We take an active role in the global debate on the units, actors and structures that shape the dynamics of international politics. Our research covers the political consequences of the constitution of the international as a distinct kind of relation. We examine political concepts including:
-The world system
-International diplomacy
-Networks
-Notions of empire
-Regional integration
-Non-governmental actors
-The (nation) state

Governance in Britain and wider Europe

Our research investigates the dynamics driving public policy-making at national, EU and international levels. We focus on the challenges multi-level governance offers for concerns about legitimacy and accountability. This includes the changing relationship between the governing and the governed over matters of politics and policy. Our geographic scope includes the United Kingdom, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia, and the Mediterranean

Global justice and human rights

Our work in political philosophy reflects the increasing need to tackle issues at a global rather than a state-only level. We cover issues such as:
-The formulation and justification of human rights
-The competing claims of relativism, particularism, and cultural diversity
-The extension of ideas of distributive justice from states to humanity as a whole
-Proposals to secure global democracy
-The application of just war theory to modern conflicts and to humanitarian intervention
-Environmental justice, especially climate change

We tackle questions of justice from an issue perspective as well as surveys of nationalism, statism, and various non-cosmopolitan theories of global justice.

Political research and methods

We conduct qualitative and quantitative research reflecting both empirical and critical political methodologies. We use quantitative methods, including rational choice theory and experiments, to make sense of topics as diverse as party systems and transitional justice. Our aim is to push innovation in research methods in ethnography, hermeneutics and discourse analysis. We use concepts that challenge traditional notions of politics to investigate methods for research into new challenges, including:
-The rise of life sciences
-The focus on the relationship between the human body and security
-Emergent forms of subjectivity and politics

Research skills development

The University's Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate School provides a full range of research training in the social sciences, which meets the requirements of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). This training includes:
-Bibliographical techniques
-Philosophy of social science
-Quantitative and qualitative methods

The Graduate School also hosts postgraduate events, including open days, and supports personal development.

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The Master of International Studies is designed to equip students with analytical and critical skills for understanding contemporary international politics, and will prepare you for entry into a wide range of professions in international affairs.

The course responds to contemporary developments that affect the governance of societies across the globe, from terrorism to public sector reform. It covers a wide variety of areas that include the study of globalisation, development, democracies, processes of state formation, international organisations, theories of International Relations (IR), international political economy, international security, global environmental politics, Asia Pacific and Northeast Asian Politics.

You will be exposed to a wide variety of topics that bring you an in-depth understanding of the forces and institutions that shape the relations between states and the governance of societies across the globe. Undertaking a Master of International Studies at the University of Sydney will give you access to world-class experts in a broad politics and international relations field.

Some of the dynamic areas that you can focus on include the study of globalisation, international political economy, international security, human rights, global environmental politics, Asia Pacific and northeast Asian politics, and international relations theory.

To ask a question about this course, visit http://sydney.edu.au/internationaloffice/

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This programme will enable you to develop specialised and detailed knowledge and skills in relation to the legal rules regulating international corporate law and corporate governance issues in the UK, as well as at a global level. You’ll investigate and apply principles and rules found in various areas of corporate law to novel problems, and real-world and hypothetical scenarios. You’ll also critically evaluate the legal rules, regulations, theories and underlying policies relating to Corporate Law.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• investigate the corporate mind
• study contemporary issues in relation to directors’ duties
• examine the role of corporate governance in the world economy
• look at issues of regulation in corporate governance, and explore the rights of shareholders in public companies.

LLM Corporate Law is offered within the dynamic Centre for Business Law and Practice with all the facilities that a leading research-led university offers. This includes opportunities for co-curricular activities that enhance transferable skills and develop knowledge of the law’s impact in the wider world.

The Centre for Business Law and Practice offers a wide range of experience and expertise in a number of fields, with links to the business community through, for example, the Advisory Board, which includes practitioners amongst its members. Industry and professional speakers regularly participate in conference and seminar events, which you’re encouraged to attend.

The Centre includes amongst its members internationally renowned researchers, not only in corporate law, but in other business fields, and a number of teaching staff are qualified in the legal profession.

Course content

The compulsory modules studied will give you an in-depth knowledge of contemporary issues and problems in corporate finance law and securities regulation plus ideas for solution and reform; an opportunity to explore modern day and historical insolvency; and the chance to examine the role of corporate governance in the world economy.

These compulsory modules will also enable you to hone your legal research and writing skills, culminating in your dissertation – an independent piece of research on your chosen topic.

If you study with us, you’ll also benefit from our academic skills programme. This 10-week programme runs alongside your taught academic programme, and is specifically designed to meet the needs of home and international students in the School of Law. It allows you to refine and develop the academic and transferable skills needed to excel during your taught postgraduate programme, as well as prepare for professional roles after graduation.

The wide-ranging list of optional modules means that you can explore a diverse range of related subjects of interest to you.

If you’re a part-time student, you’ll take four compulsory modules in your first year. In your second year, you’ll carry out your dissertation and study two optional modules.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• Insolvency Law 15 credits
• Corporate Finance and Securities Law 15 credits
• International Corporate Governance 15 credits
• Postgraduate Legal Research Skills 15 credits
• Dissertation 60 credits

Optional modules

• Alternative Dispute Resolution 15 credits
• International Competition Law 15 credits
• Corporate Social Responsibility 15 credits
• International Corporate Rescue 15 credits
• International Law of Credit and Security 15 credits
• World Trade Organisation Law 15 credits
• Conflict of Laws in Business Transactions 15 credits
• Central Issues in Arbitration 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read International Corporate Law LLM Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read International Corporate Law LLM Part Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

Our compulsory and optional modules are taught through a range of smaller group seminars and lectures, depending on the individual module. All students meet weekly in the first semester for academic skills training. Support for the dissertation is provided via two group sessions, a number of one-to-one meetings and comment on draft work.

Independent study is integral to this programme – not just to prepare for classes, but to develop research and other critical skills.

Assessment

Assessment is by a variety of methods but primarily involves the writing of an essay of up to 4,500 words at the end of each module. We assess the dissertation through your submission of a written piece of work of up to 15,000 words.

Career opportunities

Our graduates pursue careers in business, legal practice, the public service, or any career where success is built upon the ability to understand, analyse and respond to developments in international corporate law.

Graduates have gone on to work as lawyers and compliance officers as well as working in the education sector. A number of our students also remain with us to pursue a further research career as PhD students.

Careers support

The School of Law offers career and personal development support through the School of Law Careers Advisor. The School also arranges career development workshops, seminars and one-to-one sessions for students on all postgraduate programmes.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

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