International Security and Risk Management
MSc and Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
Course Overview
Developed by PerpetuityARC Training, the online MSc in International Security and Risk Management is delivered in partnership with the University of West London. We now also offer this course as a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip). You can read our PGDip FAQs here.
The programme explores critical issues in security management and combines theoretical knowledge with professional best-practice through an interesting and diverse set of modules. It equips the modern security professional with skills to address a range of complex challenges within contemporary security management at a senior level. You’ll be encouraged to think critically and demonstrate your ability to back up arguments with research.
Throughout this programme, you will work on developing a set of transferable skills including report writing, developing business cases, and research proposals. The skills you develop from this course will support your career goal within the professional security and risk management sector. You will cover both theoretical concepts and the application of theory in practical scenarios, with an interesting and diverse set of modules.
The course is completed online, which enables you to study from any location, working at your own pace. This flexibility means you can work around other professional commitments, whilst gaining a highly regarding academic qualification backed by a renowned university.
Course Detail & Modules
The online MSc and PGDip in International Security and Risk Management explores critical issues in security management and combines theoretical knowledge with professional best practice.
Throughout the course students will continue to develop a set of soft skills, such as writing reports, developing business cases and research proposals relevant to the professional security and risk management sector. These skills cover both theoretical concepts and the application of theory in practical scenarios.
Equipping the modern security professional with the appropriate skills to address a range of complex challenges within contemporary security management at a senior level, students are encouraged to explore the critical issues from a strategic perspective.
During the programme, you will be enroled with the University of West London – the awarding body – which gives you access to the online university e-library.
Students interact with their cohort through an online virtual learning system, which includes virtual forums and discussion groups. They will have full access to course tutors throughout the course as well as scheduled 1-1 tutorials and live webinars. As part of their studies, students will undertake 5 modules and a dissertation. The PGDip consists of the same first five modules as the MSc, however delegates will not complete a dissertation (the sixth module).
Security Management: Prevention and Design
This module equips students with the essential knowledge and the core skills to enable students to plan, design and manage corporate security operations in a risk-commensurate, cost-effective way and to provide an environment to exercise those skills.
Strategic Security Management and Leadership
This module provides strategic-level skills and knowledge, enabling students to research, examine and design security policy and strategy at corporate level. This module allows strategy to be combined with the latest international best practice, to ensure that operations are effective and appropriate in a multi-site, multi-disciplinary environment.
Security Management: Risk Management and Loss Prevention
This module offers a critical understanding of what International Security and Risk Management is and how it works, including understanding the needs of International Security and Risk Management Producers and Consumers. Exploring the application of Security and Risk Management in a corporate environment.
Security Management and Delivering Value
This module looks at how security adds value through traditional financial models such as cost-benefit analysis. It covers key financial concepts and examines financial planning and budgeting. The module also explores how marketing and sales functions operate in relation to income generation; and how security works interacts with these areas, as security and privacy are increasingly important to consumers and businesses. You will examine effective business decision making, taking into account operating in a global risk economy, emerging markets, government policy and change management.
Research Methods
This module teaches the skills required to research and examine issues in crime, risk and security. It also covers how to critically evaluate the effectiveness of current International Security and Risk Management interventions and consider improvements based upon the evaluation undertaken.
Dissertation
The dissertation module enables students to further develop the knowledge and skills acquired during the course. It provides an opportunity for independent research of a relevant topic of the student’s own specific interest.
How much time should I dedicate to my studies?
MSc delegates have the option of following one of two routes on this programme; full-time for 1 year, or part-time for 2 years. PGDip learners will study part-time only. The route that MSc delegates choose should be based on how much time you can realistically dedicate to study, and we are always happy to talk your options through with you, prior to submitting your application.
In terms of average weekly hour study commitment for the full-time MSc course, we would typically recommend 7-10 hours per week, and 5-7 hours per week for part-time, however this depends on you as the course is very much self-study. We typically advise learners who are in full-time employment to choose the part-time route.
Graduates of the MSc course will be invited to attend their graduation ceremony at the University of West London, and can celebrate with the rest of their cohort in person!
Fees & Study Options
£8280
For full-time study
£4140
Per annum for part-time study
£6600
Part-time study only
Next Intake
Funding your studies
There are a number of funding options available for the MSc Programme:
- If you are studying a master’s course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan. This may help contribute towards your course fees. Applications may take a few weeks to process so we advise factoring this into your master’s application and start date.
- The University also offers a tranched payment plan which delegates may be able to apply for. This is approved at the University’s discretion. If you are interested in applying for the payment plan, you will need to discuss this directly with the University of West London’s Finance Team. Students will pay their course fees directly to the University after they’ve enroled.
Unfortunately the MSc programme is no longer eligible for ELCAS funding due to recent policy changes from ELCAS. Visit the ELCAS website directly for further information.
PGDip
Students have the option of either paying the full course fee upfront at the time of enrolment, or splitting the payments in half, i.e. £3,300 in Year 1 and £3,300 in Year 2.
Students can further split the half payment into three equal tranches of £1,100 which they can set up with the Finance Team at UWL.
Unfortunately, unlike the MSc, the PGDip is not eligible for Student Finance funding, as it is not a full master’s degree. If you would like to discuss funding options for the Postgraduate Diploma course, please contact us or call +44 (0)116 2773313.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
The eligibility criteria for the MSc course and the PGDip are the same: a good honours degree or appropriate professional qualification(s); or HND/Level 5 qualification in a relevant discipline with relevant experience; or equivalent international qualifications.
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be made and will be assessed. Holders of the Security Institute Advanced Diploma (Level 7) in Security Management may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning of up to 40 credits.
All applications will be considered on an individual basis.
A good honours degree or appropriate professional qualification(s); or HND/Level 5 qualification in a relevant discipline with relevant experience; or equivalent international qualifications. To find out more about the qualification entry requirements, please click here: https://www.uwl.ac.uk/international/your-country
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be made and will be assessed. Holders of the Security Institute Advanced Diploma (Level 7) in Security Management may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning of up to 40 credits.
If you are from a country that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have not defined as majority English speaking, you will need to provide evidence of your language ability to study this course.
If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or have completed an undergraduate degree in one of these countries, you may be exempt from submitting an English language test.
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening), or equivalent, please refer to the link below.
To find out more about the English language requirements accepted from your country, please click here: https://www.uwl.ac.uk/international/your-country/english-language-requirements
All applications will be considered on an individual basis.
How to Apply?
Intakes are twice a year: February and September. The next cohort is September 2025. Those interested in undertaking the MSc or the PGDip can complete a contact form here and a member of our team will be in touch. We will discuss your application and you’ll be asked to complete a full application form, to be returned along with any required documentation. These documents could include certificates, written references, details about your work history and copy of passport/photo ID. Applicants will also be required to participate in a video call in order to confirm their identity as part of the application process.
Once your application is complete, PerpetuityARC Training will validate your qualifications and work history. If this is satisfactory, you will be invited to finalise your application and your details will be passed to the University. The University will issue you with a link and instructions on how to set up your university account, and payment is then directly to the University.
International students will be asked to confirm their English language skills. We recommend that if you have questions regarding eligibility, you should contact us in the first instance or visit: https://www.uwl.ac.uk/international/your-country/english-language-requirements.
Quality Assurance
Linx International Group and the MSc International Security and Risk Management has been validated through the University of West London and is subject to the academic quality and standards of the University.
As the awarding body for this qualification is the University of West London, Professor Alison Wakefield serves as the Link Tutor, moderating and verifying the assessment marking before they are submitted to the annual examination board for final approval and awarding of grades. Queries relating to quality assurance can be directed to Professor Alison Wakefield.
Meet the MSc Academic Team
Alison Wakefield
Link Tutor
Garry Evanson
Lead Tutor
Ayesha Asavla
Tutor
Keeva Gilchrist
Tutor