Students sitting in front of surveillance screens

UCAS code

L312

Mode of Study

Full-time with year abroad

Duration

3.5 years full-time with a year abroad

Start date

September 2023, September 2024

Still looking to start studying in September 2023? Visit our Clearing Hub to find out how.

Overview

Terrorists and cybercriminals are a growing and constant menace to world security.

Learn how to fight this threat on the international stage as you study in the UK and Australia on this Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime dual degree.

You'll develop the skills, knowledge and tech know-how to help protect communities, businesses and government organisations from terrorism and cybercrime. In year 3, you'll experience how Australian authorities deal with these threats when you spend a year studying at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia.

Course highlights

  • Graduate with 2 degrees – a BSc Cybercrime, Security and Intelligence from ECU alongside a BSc (Hons) Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime from the University of Portsmouth
  • Study with academics whose research in areas such as incel culture and the security of smart devices are shaping the future of the sector 
  • Develop knowledge and skills that intelligence services employers value in specialist topics like intelligence analysis, physical security, online terrorism, cyberlaw and cybersecurity, international security, radicalisation and extremism
  • Get practical experience in the computing labs at Portsmouth and ECU's Security Operations Centre (SOC) while you explore fields such as network security and digital forensics
  • Learn from staff who have worked as intelligence analysts, investigators and police officers
  • Enhance your career prospects by building a professional network in the UK and Australia during your course

Why do a dual degree?

This course is a dual degree (also known as a double degree).

When you complete the course successfully, you'll have 2 degrees – one from the University of Portsmouth and one from Edith Cowan University.

Dual degrees allow you to achieve 2 degrees in 3.5 or 4 years rather than 6 years.

You'll benefit from a global education experience and the high-calibre teaching expertise, latest research and modern facilities at two universities. You'll also develop a more comprehensive knowledge of communication and media than on a single degree and gain an understanding of different cultures, which will help you work more effectively with people from different backgrounds.

All of this will help you stand out in a competitive job market after you graduate.

You'll be based in Portsmouth in years one and two, and for six months or a year at the end of the course. You'll spend year three in Perth, Western Australia at Edith Cowan University.

You'll get support with travel arrangements, visas, finding accommodation and accessing loans and other funding that can help pay for your study and living costs when you're in Australia.

Edith Cowan University is one of the top 100 young universities in the world one of the top 100 universities in the Asia-Pacific regions (Times Higher Education 2019 and 2020). The Good Universities Guide 2021 gives the University 5 out of 5 stars for its learner resources, student support, teaching quality and overall experience.

Like Portsmouth, Perth offers a mix of city and outdoor living. It's a great base for exploring Western Australia and beyond.

Why study the Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime dual degree?

Meet your Course Leader, Dr Leah Fox, as she explains what you'll study on this Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime dual degree.

Dr Leah Fox: This course is bachelor of honours in Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime, and it's a dual award degree course, and in this case, students will be able to graduate with two degrees. Within the three and a half years, the first two years will be spent in the University of Portsmouth following that, students will study their third year in Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, and then they'll come back to complete their studies.

It's a multidisciplinary course that will allow students to gain a good, in-depth knowledge in three specific subject areas: counter terrorism, intelligence and cybercrime. They'll be covering cybercrime related subject areas or topics whilst they're studying in Portsmouth. The counter terrorism and intelligence aspects of the course will be covered whilst they're studying in Australia. Some of their modules that look into physical security, intelligence analysis, some of the applications of the intelligence techniques in relation to counter terrorism operations.

We're looking for an applicant who wants to make a change, who is open minded and prepared to be confronted with a number of challenges. But overall, someone who is curious and wants to learn. Studying in Australia brings a number of benefits. In addition to getting a more comprehensive and enhanced knowledge, students also will be able to get to network with other individuals from different countries.

They will enhance their overall experience. They'll be exposed to different cultures and it will help them tremendously in their future career prospects. They'll have access to an intelligence analysis in cyber security. They'll be able to become analysts, or they'll be able to pursue their career in policing. This will create an immense benefit in terms of their employment opportunities.

Even though they're geographically away, they'll still be able to get access to that same level of support as they were getting in the University of Portsmouth, so they'll have access to wellbeing, they'll have access to financial services, they'll have access to personal tutoring. In addition to that, students are able to still gain access to student loans in order to get support with traveling and accommodation. When the students come back from any study abroad, they are transformed. They're immensely competent. They are able to bring in their knowledge and share it with other students here locally.

They're confident and immensely proud for students and and to be able to see that achievement is fantastic.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Typical offers

  • A levels – AAB-BBB
  • UCAS points – 120-136 points from 3 A levels or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T levels – Merit-Distinction
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDD-DDM

You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept

Selection process

  • All shortlisted applicants will need to attend an interview in support of their application.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

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.

Typical offers

  • A levels – AAB–BBB
  • UCAS points – 120-136 points from 3 A levels or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels – Merit - Distinction
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDD–DDM
  • International Baccalaureate – 29–31

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.

Selection process

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

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.

Your facilities

Female forensics working studying fingerprint on computer

Cyber Security and Digital Forensics Laboratory

Equipped with everything you need to secure and analyse digital evidence, without leaving any trace of your analysis.

Discover the laboratory

STANDARD LICENSE; PLEASE SEE ADDITIONAL ASSET FOR FULL LICENSE TERMS.

Security Operations Centre (SOC)

Get training in monitoring, detecting and responding to cyber security incidents in ECU’s security operations centre.

Careers and opportunities

Terrorism and cybercrime are among the biggest threats to international security. In the 18 years from 2000 to 2018, it's estimated that terrorism has cost the world economy more than $800 billion and resulted in thousands of deaths. The economic cost of cybercrime is even higher, estimated at $1 trillion a year in 2020. 

Graduates with the skills, knowledge and experience to identify and manage the threat posed by terrorists and cybercriminals are in high demand, in the UK and abroad. 

What sectors can you work in with a Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime degree?

When you complete this course, you'll be prepared for a career in specialised cybercrime and counter terrorism units in police, government agencies and private organisations.

The international perspective and additional knowledge you gain at an overseas university should give you a distinct advantage when progressing your career after the course.

You could work in areas such as:

  • counter terrorism
  • crime prevention
  • criminological research
  • intelligence analysis
  • digital investigations
  • security consultancy

You could also work in the prison system or further your studies at postgraduate level.

Ongoing career support - up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities and work experience. Towards the end of your degree and after graduation, you'll get 1-to-1 support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to find your perfect role.
Female student at computer
Futureproof your career
Hands on a laptop keyboard

Using your skills in the Cybercrime Awareness Clinic

Put what you learn into practice and enhance your CV by providing advice to individuals, community groups, schools, colleges and businesses in our Cybercrime Awareness Clinic.

Find out more about the Clinic

What is a dual degree?

Learn about our dual degree programmes with Edith Cowan University in Australia.

Chris Chang: We have a strategic partnership with Edith Cowan University in Australia, particularly for students who have not travelled abroad or lived abroad, that gives them the opportunity to experience a dual degree. The design of our programmes means that we have developed the programme from the ground up, which doesn't require you to study that much more time for a degree programme.

Heather Massey: There's lots of reasons why people might want to come and study this dual award course at the University of Portsmouth. Learning in a different environment from different tutors and the facilities that they have at Edith Cowan are absolutely first-class.

Chris Chang: Students have the opportunity to travel for a year and the question that some students will have is "how will I be able to afford this?" Now the UK Government has launched the Turing programme and what this programme does is fund them to do study abroad, internships, placements. It makes it accessible to all students from different groups, whether they are international students or students from the UK.

Dr Sarah Reynolds: Experiencing life in a different country. You would mature and develop your confidence during that time and definitely walk out of the degree, I think standing up a bit taller than if you hadn't.

Chris Chang: Now the benefits of this is that you can actually show to employers that you have two degrees from two different universities in two different countries. Jobs these days have changed quite substantially. Your future job may not be in the UK and employers are looking for the kind of employees that are able to work in different contexts, different cultures be able to work in multidisciplinary and multinational teams.

One of the other benefits of this programme is that you can actually travel around, not just, Australia but around the ASEAN region because from Perth it's a very short flight to Hong Kong; to Singapore; to Malaysia.

Heather Massey: It's an amazing opportunity to learn both from experts in their field, but also learn about how different people in a different culture operate.

Chris Chang: There are inter-semester breaks of two-three months and you should use that opportunity to see the world. The other thing that you have is having studied a year abroad, you will make friends who could in the future be your supporters, be your allies, and be your collaborators of the future.

Dr Leah Fox: Even though they're geographically away. They'll still be able to get access to that same level of support as they were getting in Portsmouth. They'll have access to wellbeing, they'll have access to financial services, they'll have access to personal tutoring.

Chris Chang: These courses that we have delivered so far: Global Sport Management, Cybersecurity, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, Environmental Science and Management are all in very specialist and niche areas. Means that wherever you end up working or living, you're prepared for it. The demand for these courses are high, so we want highly motivated students who will benefit from this programme and benefit from a year abroad.

Dr Leah Fox: We're looking for an applicant who wants to make a change, who is open minded and prepared to be confronted with a number of challenges. But overall, someone who is curious and wants to learn.

What you'll study

Each module on this course is worth 15, 20 or 40 credits.

In years 1, 2 and 3 you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.

In your final year (which lasts 6 months), you'll complete your dissertation worth 40 credits, plus a module worth 20 credits.

Your locations

In Years 1, 2 and 4, you'll be studying at the University of Portsmouth.

In Year 3, you'll be studying at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia.

Modules

Core modules:

  • Criminal Justice - 20 credits
  • Cyber Security and Forensic Computing - 20 credits
  • Cyberspace, Subculture and Online Deviance - 20 credits
  • Essential Skills for Criminologists - 40 credits
  • Introduction to Digital Forensic Investigations - 20 credits
  • Understanding Criminology - 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Core modules:

  • Cyberlaw Governance and Human Rights - 20 credits
  • Questioning Criminology - 20 credits
  • Researching Criminology - 20 credits

Optional modules:

  • Crimes of the Powerful - 20 credits
  • Cybercrime Clinic - 20 credits
  • Fundamentals of Forensic Investigation — 20 credits
  • Gang Crime - 20 credits
  • Global Environmental Justice - 20 credits
  • Global Security - 20 credits
  • Hate Crime - 20 credits
  • Institution-Wide Language Programme (IWLP) - 20 credits
  • Online Activism, Cyberterrorism and Cyberwarfare - 20 credits
  • Penology and Prison - 20 credits
  • Policing and Society - 20 credits
  • Principles of Economic Crime Investigation - 20 credits
  • Professional Experience L5 - 20 credits
  • Psychology and Security - 20 credits
  • The Dark Web: Threats, Freedoms and Responses - 20 credits
  • Underworlds: Crime, Deviance and Punishment in Britain, 1500-1900 - 20 credits
  • Victims of Crime: Key Players in Criminal Justice - 20 credits
  • Wildlife Crime: Threats and Response - 20 credits
  • Youth Crime, Youth Justice - 20 credits

Core modules:

  • Applied Intelligence - 15 credits
  • Counter Intelligence - 15 credits
  • Counter Terrorism - 15 credits
  • Intelligence Analysis - 15 credits
  • Intelligence Foundations - 15 credits
  • Physical Security - 15 credits
  • Radicalism and Political Extremism - 15 credits
  • Terrorism and International Security - 15 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Core modules in this year include:

  • Cybersecurity: Theory and Practice — 20 credits
  • Dissertation / Major Project — 40 credits

Changes to course content

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, course content is revised and regularly reviewed.  This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • interactive workshops
  • lectures
  • seminars

Teaching staff at Portsmouth and Edith Cowan University in Perth are from relevant law enforcement and security backgrounds.

Teaching staff at both universities are also engaged in research. This means you learn about the latest theories and concepts, which is especially important in the fields of counter terrorism and cybercrime where new technologies and types of crime are constantly emerging.

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

Teaching staff profiles

Gizem Guney Portrait

Dr Gizem Guney

Senior Lecturer

Gizem.Guney@port.ac.uk

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Read more
Leah Alexandra Fox Portrait

Dr Leah Fox

Associate Head (Global Engagement)

leah.fox@port.ac.uk

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Read more

This is a unique opportunity to develop an international perspective of counter terrorism, intelligence and cybercrime in a global environment. Studying in a new country enables countless opportunities to experience new cultures and values, develop interpersonal skills and build connections.

Dr Leah Fox, Course Leader

How you're assessed

  • reports
  • project plans
  • case study work
  • presentations
  • essays
  • annotated bibliographies

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your dual degree.

In your first year, you'll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes and workshops for about 7–9 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2, 3 and 4 but this depends which modules you choose.

Most timetabled 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.

Term times

The academic year at University of Portsmouth runs from September to early June with breaks at Christmas and Easter. It's divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:

  • September to December – teaching block 1
  • January – assessment period 1
  • January to May – teaching block 2 (includes Easter break)
  • May to June – assessment period 2

You'll finish your final year in December.

The academic year at Edith Cowan University runs from February to November with breaks at Easter and in June. It's divided into 2 semesters and 2 exam periods:

  • February to May – semester 1 (includes Easter break)
  • June – exam period 1
  • July to October – semester 2 
  • November – exam period 2

You'll start year 3 at ECU in semester 2 in July, finishing in semester 1 in May.

Where you'll study (year 3)

You'll study at Edith Cowan University's Joondalup Campus during your third year and student accommodation is available on the Mount Lawley Campus. Both campuses offer a library, computer labs, cafes, bars, a fitness centre, student support and counselling services.

Edith Cowan University building

 

Students at Edith Cowan University

 

Students at Edith Cowan University

 

Supporting your learning

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get face-to-face, video and phone support from teaching and support staff when you need it. These include the following people and services:

Types of support

You'll have a personal tutor from the University of Portsmouth and a country link tutor from Edith Cowan University when you're studying in Perth in year 3.

Your personal tutors help you make the transition to independent study and give you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

You’ll have regular contact with them in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support. They'll be available virtually in year 3 when you're in Australia.

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • Understanding and using assignment feedback
  • Managing your time and workload
  • Revision and exam techniques

As well as support from faculty 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

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees (2023 start)

  • Year 1 – £9,250
  • Year 2  TBC
  • Year 3 – TBC
  • Year 4 – TBC

Fees may be subject to annual increase.

  • Year 1 – £9,250
  • Year 2  TBC
  • Year 3 – TBC
  • Year 4 – TBC

Includes Transition Scholarship. Fees may be subject to annual increase.

  • Year 1 – £17,200
  • Year 2 – TBC
  • Year 3 – TBC
  • Year 4 – TBC

Fees may be subject to annual increase.

Tuition fees (2024 start)

  • Year 1 – £9,250
  • Year 2  TBC
  • Year 3 – TBC
  • Year 4 – TBC

Fees may be subject to annual increase.

  • Year 1 – £9,250
  • Year 2  TBC
  • Year 3 – TBC
  • Year 4 – TBC

Includes Transition Scholarship. Fees may be subject to annual increase.

  • Year 1 – £18,100
  • Year 2 – TBC
  • Year 3 – TBC
  • Year 4 – TBC

Fees may be 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.

Additional costs

Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

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.

 

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.

You'll need to cover your living costs and pay additional costs of £3,000–£4,000 to cover travel to and from Australia in year 3. You can cover these costs using a UK Government student loan.

We can advise you on travel arrangements, visas, finding accommodation and accessing a student loan that can help pay for your study and living costs when you're in Australia.

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in September 2023, please apply through Clearing.

Got your results? Apply online now

Alternatively, call our Clearing Hotline on +44 (0)23 9284 8074 or visit our Clearing Hub to chat with us online.

Our Clearing Hotline is open:

  • 9am–5pm Monday to Thursday
  • 9am–4pm Fridays 
  • 8am–8pm Thursday 17 August (A Level/T level results day) 
  • 8am–7pm Friday 18 August 
  • 10am–3pm Saturday 19 August 

Waiting for your results?

Visit our Clearing Hub for the latest information and to request a results day call back.

International students

We welcome Clearing applications from international students and you can apply in exactly the same way as UK students do.

Applying for year 2 or 3

If you've already completed part of this course with us or another university and would like to apply for the second or third year, please apply here.

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – L312
  • our institution code – P80

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

Don't worry if you change your mind about studying abroad after you start the course. It's easy to transfer to a similar course once you're at Portsmouth or study this course as a single degree if you decide not to attend Edith Cowan University in year 3.

Come to an Open Day

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in our international students section

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.