Security Management MSc
MSc Security Management
Overview
This course is part of the MSc Criminal Justice Postgraduate Flexible Framework.
The Flexible Framework allows you to customise your postgraduate degree. The units and subjects you choose will determine which award title you graduate with. To view the other unit options, visit the MSc Criminal Justice page.
Security Management skills are always in demand in both the public and private sector, with organisations looking to protect their personnel, assets, information and reputation from criminal threats as diverse as fraud and terrorism. This MSc Security Management degree course gives you the tools you need to progress in this in–demand field.
You can choose to study either full or part-time, either on campus or through distance learning.
On this course, you'll learn about the key themes in the field of security management, including how changes to policy and legislation inform practice.
The additional Core Subjects you can choose from include:
- Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption
- Crime Science
- Criminal Justice
- Criminal Psychology
- Criminology
- Cybercrime (Campus learning only)
- Intelligence (in combination only)
- International Criminal Justice (Distance learning only; campus study from 2019)
- Policing, Policy & Leadership (Distance learning only)
- Victimology (Distance learning only)
This flexible course is available through campus-based study or via distance learning, so you can fit your studies around your job and other commitments.
When you graduate, you'll be qualified to work as a security professional in the public or private sectors, and if you're already working in the field, then you'll have the skills to advance your career.
Our MSc Security Management degree course offers you two routes of study, depending on your preferences and career goals:
Route A
In addition to Security Management and Research Methods and Ethics, you'll study one additional Core Unit from the list above, and a relevant Specialist Option. You'll only be able to study a Specialist Option if enough other students elect to take the option in question. You'll also have a free choice to study any other option.
Route B
In addition to Security Management and Research Methods and Ethics, you'll study two additional Core Units from the list above, and a relevant Specialist Option. You'll only be able to study a Specialist Option if enough other students elect to take the option in question.
Specialist Options include:
- Crisis Management and Governance (campus-based)
- Investigation and Psychology
- Contemporary Security in International Relations
- The Global Landscape of Cybersecurity
- Managing Justice and Security Organisations (distance learning only)
- Victimology: Vulnerability, Risk and Resilience (distance learning only)
Depending on your career goals and which options you choose, you'll graduate with one of the following awards:
Campus (full and part time) and distance learning:
- MSc Security Management
- MSc Security Management and Criminal Justice
- MSc Security Management and Criminology
- MSc Security Management and Intelligence
- MSc Security Management and Criminal Psychology
- MSc Security Management and Counter Fraud & Counter Corruption
- MSc Crime Science and Security Management
- MSc Cybercrime and Security Management
Distance Learning:
- MSc Security Management and International Criminal Justice
- MSc Security Management and Policing, Policy & Leadership
- MSc Security Management and Victimology
What you'll experience
On this course, you'll:
- Develop your knowledge and skills to meet new guidelines and regulations in the security industry
- Benefit from our local, national and international links with the criminal justice sector
- Customise your degree to meet your career goals
- Draw on the expertise and facilities of our Institute of Criminal Justice Studies
- Learn through our supported distance learning programme, which gives you the flexibility to fit your studies around other commitments
- Have 24/7 access to the extensive facilities in our university library, including books, ejournals and newspapers
- Be supported by qualified and enthusiastic staff who are experts in the field
Careers and opportunities
When you graduate from this course, you'll have the skills and professionalism needed for a career in the security management sector.
Career opportunities include:
- Security Management
- Risk Management
- Law enforcement
- Prison/probation service
- Criminal Justice
- Investigation/Intelligence
Depending on the specialist options you choose to study, you'll can also pursue a career in fields such as policing, cybersecurity and counter fraud.
We'll provide you with as much support as possible in finding employment through close industrial contacts, careers events, recruitment fairs and individual advice.
What you'll study
Each unit on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study units worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 units worth 30 credits and 1 unit worth 60 credits.
Core units in this year include:
- Research Methods
- Research Ethics
You'll study for this course by following one of the two available routes described above, depending on whether you want to study, and be recognised for, one or two subject areas.
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional units may not run every year. If a unit doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative unit.
Work experience and career planning
We'll help you to identify internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies.
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your security management skills to work.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- individual and group projects
- online materials
How you'll spend your time
Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:
- September to December – teaching block 1
- January – assessment period 1
- January to mid-May – teaching block 2 (includes Easter break)
- Mid-May to early June – assessment period 2
Most teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.
There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- case studies
- blogs
- presentations
- research proposal
- dissertation/major project
Entry requirements
- A second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Exceptionally, applicants with strong relevant criminal justice experience will be considered.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
Course costs
Tuition fees (2019 start)
UK, EU, International, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time: £8,700
- Part time: £4,350 per year (90 credits) (subject to annual increase)
- Part time distance learning: £3,500 per year (subject to annual increase)
International students
- Full time: £13,900
- Part time: £6,950 per year (60 credits) (subject to annual increase)
- Part time distance learning: £3,500 per year (subject to annual increase)
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 units a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each unit.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
There may be travel costs for internships/placements. These will vary depending on the nature of internship/placement and can range from £50 - £1000.
If you wish to undertake the optional Certificate of Knowledge in Policy (CKP) qualification, you are likely to incur a license fee, currently set at £100, This is payable to the College of Policing for students.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
If you're a distance learning student, you may need to cover the travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for any optional campus-based events that you attend. Depending on the distance you need to travel to reach Portsmouth, these can vary from £50 to £500.
You may need to cover the travel costs of internships and placements. These will vary depending on the nature of the internship or placement in question, and can range from £50 - £1,000.
Apply
Apply for this course using our online application form.
When applying for this course, apply for MSc Criminal Justice. The units you choose when doing the MSc Criminal Justice will define the award you graduate with.
International students
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply directly to us or you can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study with us, you also agree to our terms and conditions as well as the University’s policies, rules and regulations. You should read and consider these before you apply.- Subject area
- Criminology and Forensic Studies
- Law
