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Global Security (MSc)

Why this programme?

Why should you study Global Security?

If you want to develop your knowledge of the broad-based security challenges impacting our rapidly changing social and political environment at a local, national and global level then the MSc in Global Security is for you.

Individuals on the  MSc in Global Security will have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of disciplinary approaches to the study of security ranging from politics and international relations, to area studies, law, history, public health, human geography and computing science and information communications technology. 

How will you benefit?

Graduates from this programme are likely to move into careers with governmental and non-governmental organisations, the media, business and international/transnational organisations.

All students on the programme will benefit from some research skills training which will go a long way to supporting students wanting to take advantage of the opportunities available for individuals wanting to develop a career in academia.  Many students taking this programme go on to pursue PhD research at the University of Glasgow or other leading research universities in the UK and beyond.     

Why should you study with us?

Staff teaching on the MSc Global Security are drawn from schools and subject areas across all four Colleges of the University of Glasgow, including Politics, Sociology, Central and East European Studies (College of Social Sciences); History/War Studies, Theology (College of Arts); Public Health (College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences); and Geographical and Earth Sciences, Computing Science (College of Science and Engineering).  All of these subject areas are known for their research and teaching quality, often being recognised as being among the top schools in their field within the UK and with highly respected and strong international profiles.

Students on the MSc Global security also have the opportunity to avail of support to apply for employability and internship opportunities within a range of international organisations working on issues and areas reflecting the content of the MSc Global Security.

Annual Study Tour to Brussels

Individuals on programme will also have the opportunity to undertake a study tour of Brussels some of the main centres of security coordination. In 2012 students and staff from the MSc and MRes Global Security visited a wide range of Brussels based security institutions. Major speakers included Dr Massimo Mauro – Special Cybersecurity Advisor to the Council of the EU General Secretariat; Nicholas Whyte – Director of the Independent Diplomat; and Jamie Shea – Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Emerging Security Challenging NATO Headquarters, who had just returned from the NATO Summit in Chicago and was able to give us a first-hand overview of some of the issues that were discussed at that major international event. Other talks were given by staff from the European External Action Service, the European Commission’s DG for Energy, the United Nations Liaison Office for Peace and Security, the Hungarian Permanent Representation to the EU, Political and Security Committee, the EU Intelligence Analysis Centre, the EU Military Staff, IBM’s Institute for Advanced Security Europe, and the International Security Information Service. It was a thoroughly enjoyable week were students were able to listen to, question and chat with some of Europe’s top security experts. As one student put it “Even if I had only been here for one day rather than five, it would have been worth it!”

For pictures from the 2012 study tour please visit our Facebook page

Global Security Master Class Seminar Series

The programme also includes the "Global Security Master Class Series" where high profile professionals and academics working in the field of security speak directly, yet informally, with students in a small scale setting. Speakers during 2011/2012 have included Mr James Kearney (United Nations Association for the UK) who spoke on Nuclear non-proliferation, Prof. Joseph Konvitz (OECD) who spoke on risk management, Dr William Webster (University of Stirling) who spoke on the Surveillance Society, Mr Brian Harris (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), Professor Julie Fitzpatrick (Moredun Research Institute) and Mr David Robson (Scottish Government) who all spoke on Food Security, Prof Richard English (St Andrews University) who spoke on terrorism, Mr David S Muir (Former Downing Street Strategist) who spoke on Political Strategy and Security, and Mr David Pratt (Foreign Editor herald Scotland) who spoke on embedded media in conflict zones. The master class series has included numerous other speakers and students also have the opportunity to attend the Annual Global Security Lecture which was given in 2011 by Professor Hew Strachan (University of Oxford) on the Changing Nature of War. 

The Changing Character of War [mp4]

 

Want to know more?

Facebook icon If you are thinking about taking this programme then you might consider visiting our Facebook page where you can click 'like this' button and then be updated regularly about upcoming events, application deadlines, video lectures and podcasts and dates of online chats with staff teaching on the programme.