Course overview

Find out why our degree in risk and security management is the ideal opportunity to combine work and study that will boost your career prospects - watch our video here

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 above date and time is the latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

The course has been developed in conjunction with the private security industry and it aims to equip security professionals and those working in occupations with a significant security role, the ability to understand and apply relevant approaches, techniques and processes from both general management and their own specialist management field.

The BSc has been developed to meet the requirements of the expanding security industry, and also to meet the needs of those working in the industry whose roles are becoming increasingly complex. It includes questions of strategic and operational management, health and safety, crime management, public order and customer care. This qualification will give the individual the skills required to enhance their professional capabilities, and will also help to prove these skills to future employers.

As our course materials are delivered online, being able to access the internet (either at home, work or through public facilities) is essential for the successful completion of this degree.

How do I apply?

Complete a University application form – not a UCAS form – by going to our How to apply page.

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.

Course content

Course structure

This course is divided into three 120-credit stages, each equivalent to a year of full-time study.  It is kept under constant review; new units are added, others updated, amended and withdrawn as appropriate.

Stage one

(All compulsory, with credit values indicated)

• Studying Criminology (20)
• Introduction to Security Management (20)
• Introduction to Management(20)
• Introduction to Criminology (20)
• Introduction to Counter Fraud Studies (20)
• Introduction to Research Skills (20)

Stage two

(All 20 credits except PLC which is 40, c = compulsory, o = optional and cn = compulsory NHS)

• Introduction to Risk Management (c)
• Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management (c)
• Workplace Violence (c) (cn)
• Project Management (c)
• Research Methods (c)
• Anti-Fraud Strategies (o)
• The Fraud Problem (o)
• Frameworks of Investigation (o)
• Investigation, Psychology and Law (o)
• Policing Styles and Principles (o)
• Police, Law and Community (o)
• Crime Disorder and Justice (o)
• Issues in Criminology (o)
• Issues in Criminal Justice (o)
• Hate Crime (o)
• Substance Misuse and Mental Health (o)
• Youth Crime, Youth Justice (o)
• Penology(o)

Stage three

(All 20 credits except dissertation which is 40, c = compulsory, o = optional and cn = compulsory NHS)

• Corporate Security (c)
• Internet Risk and Security (c)
• Dissertation (c)
• Issues in Healthcare Security (cn)
• Private Policing (o)
• Organised Crime (o)
• Interviewing and Evidence (o)
• Gambling and Crime: Fact, Fiction and Recreation (o)
• Criminal Justice and Minority Groups (o)
• Dangerousness and Dangerous Offenders (o)
• Victimology and Victimisation (o)

The NHS Security Management Service

Those coming on to the degree after completing the Accredited Security Management Specialist (ASMS) qualification will get 40 credits exemption from first-year level study. You can apply for more credits through the APEL process. On completion of the core NHS units in years two and three you will be able to graduate with specialisation in healthcare security.

Flexibility

The BSc programme is studied on a part-time basis by distance learning which enables you to study from home and remain in employment. Indeed many of our students do not even live in the United Kingdom. The fees are substantially lower than those for the campus-based courses. Employers often choose to fund the employees themselves and places are also subsidised by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, for UK students.

We wish to encourage people from a diverse range of backgrounds to consider studying for a university degree. We know that many can. We have the graduates to prove it! All we ask is that applicants convince us that they are capable of completing the degree. This can be a difficult judgement to make and we are keen that applicants think very carefully before applying. You can help us in your application form by being explicit about any recent studies you have undertaken, and ensuring that your referee discusses your academic potential. If you can demonstrate that you already have appropriate qualifications and/or experience, we can credit you with points. You will then be able to complete the degree in a shorter period. So how long the course will last depends largely on you.

If they wish to do so, perhaps because life events make studying more complicated than they expected, students can leave after completing year one units, with a certificate, or with a diploma on completion of units from year two.

Teaching and assessment

The BSc (Hons) Risk and Security Management is delivered by supported distance learning and the Institute has extensive experience in the design, delivery and support of such programmes. You will receive high quality course materials to guide you through each unit of study. We also use the Moodle online learning environment, which will enable you to access course materials, communicate with the tutors and other students and to discuss and present your work. You will receive induction material at the beginning of the course, which will guide you through the use of Moodle and registering and accessing the distance learning facilities offered by the University Library.

The Institute holds two annual events in Portsmouth which you are invited to attend. A two day induction and re-induction event takes place in September and a Study Conference in late January. This is an opportunity for you to meet the staff and other students who you have worked with and to sample more traditional forms of learning such as lectures and tutorials.

All the units in this course are assessed by means of essays. Essay titles are provided at the beginning of the academic year. Unit materials often contain interactive exercises to encourage you to think about the issues being discussed. Often these will invite you to write something before continuing with the course materials. These, and other devices, are designed to test and encourage your learning.

The Institute has a policy on feedback. This is designed to ensure that you receive comments on your assessed essays which indicate what you need to do to obtain better marks in your next essay. The feedback will also provide you with the criteria against which your essay was marked. The marks obtained in the first year units do not count towards the classification of the BSc honours degree. Thus you will have some time to hone your essay writing skills.

In addition to this flexibility, distance learning offers:

• up-to-date research based course materials
• access to the University’s library catalogue and library services
• clear and professionally presented information and debate
• detailed guidance on study skills, research methods, research project management, and essay writing skills
• professional administrative support
• access to dedicated tutor support, by phone, letter or email
• access to University’s web course tools service, Moodle

Moodle is an internet-based electronic learning environment. It will:

• give you access to extra learning resources
• enable you to access to the University’s library catalogue and many other services, such as support in developing learning skills
• provide you with direct access to a wide range of journals i.e. you will be able to download relevant articles and materials to your computer, to read in your own home
• enable you to communicate with fellow students and build a learning community
• allow you to take part in on-line discussions with tutors and lecturers
• enable you to post information about yourself, and start and engage in discussion

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

The University Library offers a tailored service to distance learners including:

• access to a range of electronic books (over 47,000 titles) and journals (17,000 titles)
• access to local UK academic libraries via SCONUL access scheme
• delivery of book chapters and articles from hard copy in stock at no cost
• loan of books by post in the UK for return postage
• help and advice in locating and using information sources from an online advice service in your Virtual Learning Environment
• telephone helpline staffed 8.30am–8.45pm weekdays and 10am–4pm at weekends during term-time
• lectures and hands-on sessions in using University resources at induction days and study schools

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Risk and Security Management for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).