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Benefits of a Prof Doc in Security Risk Management (DSyRM)
The Professional Doctorate in Security Risk Management (D.SyRM) is a structured, part-time programme targeted towards security professionals in the UK and overseas. It comprises a taught element delivered through a small number of workshops in Portsmouth for the first two years and then up to five years of supervised research leading to a thesis.
The aim of the course is to provide a framework for security professionals to reflect on and contribute to practice in their area of work. Its emphasis is on developing researching professionals (which is distinct from the more traditional PhD route which aims to develop professional researchers).
Students on the programme welcome the opportunity to enhance their professional standing in their areas of expertise while developing important new knowledge in those areas. They are drawn from a variety of backgrounds including:
- Corporate security
- Commercial security
- International security
- Security training sector
- Business continuity and crisis management
- Policing
- Military
The overall aim of the course is to develop security professionals whose work informs, and is informed by, original research in the field. Current research topics include:
- Managing complex crises
- Securing the oil and gas sector
- Security of tax havens
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsStructure and teaching
A central feature of this programme is that you will be studying with the same cohort of people throughout. The interaction that this provides will give you the opportunity to work, learn and develop together. This avoids the sense of isolation that some PhD students experience.
For students who require a Visa to enter the UK then it must be noted that ID checks will take place at the start of the academic year on campus with the University UK Visa and Immigration Team as part of the normal student registration process.
Part-time
Core modules
You'll reflect critically on your skills and experience, using professional knowledge models and literature to identify any areas for improvement.
You'll join your fellow students for discussion groups where you'll analyse complex theories relating to professionalism and practice.
This module gives you the essential foundations, analytical abilities and autonomy to shape your own doctoral path.
You'll examine relevant literature on methodology and strategies, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses.
You'll then identify and justify methods for a particular project, design a relevant research instrument, and complete ethical review documentation.
Core modules
You'll get to grips with the academic experience of journal searching, targeting, writing and conference presenting first-hand.
You'll also reflect on your academic learning and development needs while preparing original research that meets peer review standards and merits publication.
When preparing your proposal, you'll identify practice-based questions, critically appraise literature gaps, make informed methodological judgments, appraise ethical issues, and apply advanced writing skills.
With staff and peer review to support you, you'll produce a well-structured, coherent, realistic, achievable and costed proposal ready for the research phase of your course.
Core modules
Within your thesis, you'll interpret new knowledge that contributes to the field of criminal justice, satisfies peer-review and merits publication.
You'll also present your ideas via a formal presentation to a specialist audience of practitioners and academics.
Core modules
Within your thesis, you'll interpret new knowledge that contributes to the field of criminal justice, satisfies peer-review and merits publication.
You'll also present your ideas via a formal presentation to a specialist audience of practitioners and academics.
Core modules
Within your thesis, you'll interpret new knowledge that contributes to the field of criminal justice, satisfies peer-review and merits publication.
You'll also present your ideas via a formal presentation to a specialist audience of practitioners and academics.
Core modules
Within your thesis, you'll interpret new knowledge that contributes to the field of criminal justice, satisfies peer-review and merits publication.
You'll also present your ideas via a formal presentation to a specialist audience of practitioners and academics.
You'll design, plan and implement your research to uncover new knowledge, to a standard that satisfies peer review, contributes to the field of criminal justice and merits publication.
You'll use a range of advanced research techniques and communicate your ideas clearly to a specialist audience of experts and academics through your written thesis and a formal presentation.
Teaching and assessment
The doctoral programme aims to develop your research ability in the broad area of security risk management to an advanced level and promote evidence-based practice development. The development of the quality and value of your practice and research will be enhanced through:
- Seminars and workshops on critical research and security-related issues specifically focused on the development needs of security professionals
- Support from staff and peers to support you in reaching the necessary (doctoral) standard
- Supervision from a team with a very wide range of development and research interests and many years of professional experience
- Access to University of Portsmouth library facilities including a large number of e-books, journals and databases accessed electronically
- Access to additional, targeted training courses delivered through our Graduate School to meet any specific learning needs related to your individual research
- The use of an online learning environment enabling you to keep in easy touch with your peers and the course team
- Development of wider national and international perspectives through networking with your peer group
- Building ongoing productive links between security organisations
- Raising the profile, credibility and influence of your profession in both academic and practice contexts
How you're assessed
You will be assessed on the strength of your thesis, which is up to 50,000 words. The assessment includes two elements: i) a 50 minute presentation with an invited audience (plus 10 minutes of Q and As); followed by ii) a Viva Voce conducted by external and internal examiners.
Entry requirements
A master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Applicants must be professionally engaged in a security related area. All applicants will be invited to attend a face-to-face or telephone interview.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- Home/CI students: £5,400 p/a*
- EU students: £5,400 p/a* (including Transition Scholarship)
- International students: £9,050 p/a*
Home/EU/CI students on this course may be eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan.
*All fees are subject to annual increase
Apply
How to apply
Before you start your application, you'll need to have the following documentation ready:
- A research proposal and personal statement
- Proof of your first degree and grades (officially certified and translated copies if not in English)
- Proof of a relevant postgraduate degree with at least 60 credits having been completed
- Details of 2 referees or 2 references on official headed paper, one of which should ideally be an academic reference
- Proof of your English language proficiency (if English is not your first language)
- An up-to-date copy of your CV