Security, Intelligence & Strategic Studies (International Master) IntM
This International Master in Security, Intelligence & Strategic Studies brings together European and international partners to provide an integrated study programme engaging with theoretical, empirical and applied approaches to security, intelligence and strategy. You will study across Europe and can consider undertaking a work-based learning placement with a practitioner organisation on a competitive basis.
- Academic contact: IMSISS@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- IntM: 24 months full-time
Why this programme
- The University of Glasgow is the leading partner in the consortium of universities that have developed this joint masters programme. Other degree awarding partners include Charles University Prague (Czech Republic), Dublin City University (Ireland) and University of Trento (Italy).
- Specialist master classes and webinars (online seminars) will be provided by practitioners and visiting academics.
- The programme will address a wide range of challenging intellectual questions, as well as the policy and ethical dilemmas that arise when state and non-state actors seek to resolve threats ranging from traditional interstate conflict to diverse contemporary issues such as terrorism, organised crime, and insecurity and vulnerability associated with technological and cyberspace advancements.
- You will also gain experience of the methods and products (linked to intelligence gathering and analysis, diplomacy and strategic communications) used by states, as well as the international political and economic/business communities to advance their security.
Programme structure
The programme is structured around a series of mobility periods across two years where you study at the three programme universities for 1 academic semester each. During year 1 you will undertake a series of core courses reflecting the main themes of the programme and research methods training.
In year 2 you will choose a specialist concentration containing a range of optional courses. Also included is a fourth flexible mobility period, during which independent study (dissertation) and a possible optional work-based learning placement with a relevant non-academic practitioner partner are undertaken.
The periods of mobility are designed to enable you to engage with a variety of perspectives on the three core themes of the programme and promote valuable knowledge and practical skills based outcomes that will feed into future career opportunities.
Year 1
University of Glasgow (September - December)
- European and international security strategies
- International security and strategic studies
- Intelligence analysis & policy making
- Language option: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, German, French OR Spanish.
If students are able to demonstrate that they have completed a similar module in International Relations or Security Studies at A grade, they may be exempt from the International Security & Strategic Studies course and may instead choose one module from a defined list of alternatives.
Dublin City University (January - May) – Intelligence, peace-building & terrorism pathway
You will take one core and two optional courses.
- Conflict, security and peace-building
- Contemporary issues in security
- Intelligence and security analysis: theory and practice (core)
- International security: critical approaches
- Gender and security
- Political terrorism
- A number of other options are available
University of Trento (January – May) – Causes of conflicts pathway
- Conflict, human rights and natural resources
- Civil societies and contentious politics
- Geographies of security
- History and politics of the Middle East: conflicts, ideologies and democratisation
- Italian language or academic and practitioner writing skills for those already proficient in Italian
- One optional course from a choice of seven
Various locations (June - August; optional)
- Research period to work on dissertation and engage with placement partner
- Summer School from a choice of four provided by partners and associate partners of the programme
Year 2
Charles University Prague (September - February)
You must choose one specialist themed concentration and complete a minimum of four courses (including the core). You may choose a fifth course from any of the options offered to make up the required number of credits. (Additional courses may be added to concentrations and all courses are subject to availability)
Concentration A - Strategic Studies
- Strategic studies (core)
- Arms control & disarmament
- Economic Warfare
- Insurgency and counterinsurgency
- War studies.
Concentration B - Regional Security
- Regional security (core)
- African security
- Asian security
- Grand strategies
- Middle East security
- Russian and Post-Soviet security.
Concentration C - Security & Technology
- Security and technology (core)
- Cyber security
- Intelligence
- Space security
- Technology and warfare.
Concentration D - Conflict Studies
- Conflict studies (core)
- Ethics and violence
- Human security
- Peacekeeping and peacebuilding
- Radicalisation and de-radicalisation
- Terrorism and counterterrorism.
Independent study portfolio (March - August)
During this flexible mobility period you will return to the university location of your primary supervisor. This will be your official academic home for this period. During this period all students have to complete their independent study portfolio which includes a dissertation. Depending on your research topic you may be able to spend some time during this mobility period in a fourth location at one of our associate partners. Some students will also have the opportunity to undertake a 6-8 week work-based placement linked to their dissertation topic. These are offered by our associate non-academic partners and are available on a competitive basis.
A range of formative and extra-curricular features are embedded within this programme. These include
- Language learning opportunities (e.g. German, Czech, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic),
- Study Tour opportunities (e.g. Brussels/Paris/London, Washington) to visit key institutions and organisations working in the security sector such as NATO, European External Action Service.
- Policy development exercises, situational workshops and crisis management training events
- A project based Summer School
- Opportunities to attend security focused conferences
- Specialist guest lectures and seminars
- Membership of the University of Glasgow's Global Security Network and the opportunity to work closely with staff from Charles University’s Deutsch Security Square.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
Graduates from this programme are prepared to pursue careers in security-related posts in government offices and public administration, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, transnational business corporations and private security and risk analysis companies. Some might also like to pursue a doctorate and an academic career.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2024-25
IntM
Fees for the 2 year programme:
International:
- £18,060 per annum
Home:
- £9,000 per annum
EU:
- £11,265 per annum
The EU/EEA fee value reflects the difference in fee status at the EU partners in the programme consortium.
The fees listed here cover tuition only. The University of Glasgow can only collect fees in Pound Sterling at the published GBP values and subject to exchange rates at the time of payment. As the programme contains various mobility periods, students (funded and self-funded) will need to cover their own airfares between each chosen partner.
Deposits
All applicants are required to pay a deposit of £1000 within four weeks of an offer being made.
Deposits: terms & conditions
This programme requires some students to pay a deposit to secure their place.
If you are an international student, we will only issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once the deposit has been paid.
Your offer letter will state:
- how to pay the deposit payment
- the deadline for paying the deposit
The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% handling fee will be deducted.
Deposits will be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Where the University is unable to offer you a place.
- Where the applicant has personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement or other family situations that has prevented them coming to the UK. Medical or other proof may be requested.
- Applicant can prove that they have applied for a visa to attend the University of Glasgow, but the VISA has been refused. The applicant must have shown 'real intent' to study at the University of Glasgow but has been unable to obtain their visa.
- Applicant does not meet his / her conditions of offer: this may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide a language test which was taken after the date that the deposit was paid).
Deposits will not be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and credit it against the applicant’s account for securing their place for the following year of entry.
Refund requests must be made within 30 days of the programme start date stated on your offer letter.
Requests made after this date will be subject to discretion.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
Banco de Mexico
The Mexican National Bank (Banco de Mexico) provides special loans for students who wish to undertake a programme of postgraduate study. The University of Glasgow in partnership with Bank of Mexico FIDERH is offering a fee discount to holders of a Bank of Mexico FIDERH loan. See the FIDERH website for further information.
CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)
The University of Glasgow offers a 25% discount to all successful CONICyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement
CONACYT offers a non-refundable scholarship, a monthly stipend and medical insurance of an approximate total of $20,000 USD (in the case of the UK, no medical insurance grant is given since students are already covered by the National Health System) The University of Glasgow offer a 30% discount to all successful CONACyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.
Alumni Discount
In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2024/25. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2.1 Honours degree or non-UK equivalent in politics, international relations, history, area and cultural studies, law, sociology, criminology, human geography, computing science, language sciences, global studies, psychology, media studies and journalism, modern languages or business. Other disciplines will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants with a relevant work experience background in the fields of policing, security, intelligence and risk analysis will also be considered.
Academic backgrounds on the fields of engineering and computer science will be considered for Pathway A only.
Trento Pathway (B) Language Requirements
The requirement for the Trento pathway is English and a second language not being Italian at Level B2 or above.
The University of Trento will provide Italian classes for those who choose to study there. Previous knowledge of Italian is not required.
- Non-native English or Italian students – need to prove skills in a language other than English/Italian, which can be done by having a secondary school or degree certificate in that language.
- Native English speakers – need to prove skills in a second language other than Italian through one of the following:
- a secondary school diploma acquired in any third language or a degree certificate (undergraduate or masters) acquired in any third language, or
- a certificate from a recognised testing institution that makes clear reference to CEFR level B2
- Native Italian speakers – need to prove skills in a second language other than English through one of following:
- a secondary school diploma acquired in any third language or a degree certificate (undergraduate or masters) acquired in any third language, or
- a certificate from a recognised testing institution that makes clear reference to CEFR level B2
International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.
How to apply
For information on applications and to apply, please see the consortium website:
Apply to programme (consortium website)
