Course overview

All applicants should apply as soon as possible to reserve a place and ensure adequate preparations are made for the start of your studies. The latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation)is: 6 September 2013 (16 August 2013 for non-EU students). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

Security management has become an increasingly important issue in organisations and many employ specialists in security. Security managers have responsibility for protecting organisations’ people, assets, information and reputation from risks such as crime, fraud, accidents, and protesters to name a few. The risks of terrorism and other crimes have made security a much more important issue and with the introduction of regulation, the needs to enhance professionalism have become more important. This course is designed for those already working in the field seeking to improve their professionalism or those with a good honours degree seeking to obtain a more relevant qualification to secure a career in security management. It provides the key knowledge and latest thinking in security to enhance your career.

Video: Watch staff and students discuss their experience of this programme

Why study at the University of Portsmouth?

The Institute at Portsmouth is one of the leading providers of security, counter fraud, criminology and forensic education utilising a range of the very latest teaching and learning strategies. It is also a centre of research in security, counter fraud as well as other criminological and criminal justice related subjects.

Find out more

If you are interested in this course and would like further information please contact the Department.

Who should attend the course?

• Graduates seeking a specialist qualification to secure a job in security.
• Security and fraud risk professionals holding a good honours degree.
• Policy-makers with a responsibility for security with a good honours degree.

Course content

The available modes of study are

• Full-time by attendance at the University of Portsmouth (1 year full time)
• Part-time by distance learning from any location world-wide (two or three year study schedule)

Units of Study

Full-time campus-based

• Security Management (30 credits) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Crisis Management and Governance (30 credits) (PBS) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)
• 15,000 word Dissertation (60 credits)
• 30 credits of optional units:
  • Cybercrime, Security and Risk Management (30 credits) (Campus Block Teaching)
  • Investigation and Psychology (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)
  • Countering Fraud and Corruption in the Public and Private Sectors (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)
  • White Collar Crime (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)
  • Organisational Risk and The Environment (30 credits) (PBS) (Campus Block Teaching)
  • Policing and Police Reform (30 credits) (Campus Teaching)

Part-time (distance learning and block teaching)

• Security Management (30 credits) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Crisis Management and Governance (30 credits) (PBS) (Campus Block Teaching)
• Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits)
• 15,000 word Dissertation (60 credits)
• 30 credits of optional units:
  • Cybercrime, Security and Risk Management (30 credits) (Campus Block Teaching)
  • Investigation and Psychology (30 credits) (Distance Learning)
  • Countering Fraud and Corruption in the Public and Private Sectors (30 credits) (Distance Learning)
  • Managing Justice and Security Organisations (30 credits) (Distance Learning)
  • Organisational Risk and The Environment (30 credits) (PBS) (Campus Block Teaching)

Please note that all options are subject to minimum student numbers and may not all be available.

Please note that the course structure may vary from year to year; course content and learning opportunities will not be diminished by this.

Teaching and assessment

Full-time campus-based

This course is delivered in campus-based mode utilising lectures, seminars and the latest E-resources. Some of the core units are shared with distance learning students over intensive teaching. You will need to attend on campus for the  teaching of the following core units:

• Security Management (30 credits) (15, 16, 17 and 18 October 2012)
• Crisis Management and Governance (30 credits) (PBS) (19, 20 and 21 February AND 26, 27 and 28 March 2013)

Assessment will be based upon a range of written assignments including essays, reports, a presentation, a dissertation proposal and a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Part-time (distance learning and block teaching)

This mode is delivered by a combination of campus based intensive teaching, distance learning and the latest E-resources. You will need to attend on campus for the teaching of the following core units:

• Security Management (30 credits) (15, 16, 17 and 18 October 2012)
• Crisis Management and Governance (30 credits) (PBS) (19, 20 and 21 February AND 26, 27 and 28 March 2013)

And if you choose these options:

• Cybercrime, Security and Risk Management (30 credits) (25 February – 1 March 2013)

Assessment will be based upon a range of written assignments including essays, reports, a dissertation proposal and a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Student support

All ICJS distance learning students are supported in the initial stages by the extended Induction Programme (online and face-to-face). Immediately following Induction, an ‘engagement officer’ proactively ensures any issues are resolved rapidly, and thereafter personal support is provided by their Course Leader for the duration of their studies.

All ICJS campus-based students will be assigned a personal tutor, responsible for pastoral support and guidance, and have access to wider University support services including careers, financial advice, housing, counselling etc. via a dedicated Student Services Centre.

Academic support will be delivered by the relevant academic Unit Coordinators and the Course Leader. This will take the form of online, telephone and email. All students have access to the formal and informal support areas of the course discussions areas (Graduate Common Room, etc) and student peer support and Library support services in specific discussion rooms.

Career prospects

Given the broad range of issues considered and the skills acquired throughout the degree programme, our students graduate with a portfolio of knowledge and abilities that supports a diverse range of career development opportunities in this field.

Facilities and features

Academic Skills Development

Relevant Unit Coordinators will act proactively, for example in contacting those students whose performance appears to indicate that they would benefit from study support. A marker referral system is also in place to identify specific academic skills gaps and their resolution via additional skills support.

The library

The library is renowned for its high quality, responsive and customised support to students studying at a distance, or seeking to research criminal justice projects at a distance. A range of library services for distance learning students are provided to supplement the broad range of online academic resources (e-journals and e-books, etc.) available to all.

• Library Information Literacy
• Library services for distance learning students
• Criminology subject resources

Further support

Other key support services include:

• Academic Skills Unit
• Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Security Management are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Institute of Criminal Justice Studies
Tel: +44 (023) 9284 3923
Email: mark.button@port.ac.uk