Protective Security and Resilience PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Course Code
AHT030 (MSc), AHT031 (PGDip), AHT032 (PGCert)
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Part-time
Distance learning
Duration
24 months (MSc)
8 months (PG Cert)
16 months (PG Dip)
Start date
September 2022
Course overview
Study level: Postgraduate
Protective Security and Resilience is becoming an important and influential consideration in the counter terrorism, security and development disciplines, particularly in relation to crowded places and critical infrastructure protection.
Our new and impactful programme focuses on the complex security-related challenges faced by law enforcement, governments and businesses and how these are understood and mitigated in order to help keep people safe.
Qualifications available:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Protective Security and Resilience (8 months by distance-learning)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Protective Security and Resilience (16 months by distance-learning)
- Full Term MSc Protective Security and Resilience (24 months by distance-learning)
- Fast-Track MSc (APEL) Protective Security and Resilience (16 months by distance-learning)

Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
- Study wherever you are, whilst working. We can provide the flexibility of studying online and through short workshops where you can network and learn with peers in a diverse range of roles around the world.
- Complete an MSc in 16 months with accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL1) - For those with 5 years+ working experience, you could gain one-third of your Master’s degree credits in recognition of what you’ve already achieved, through our APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) route (subject to eligibility criteria1).
- Complete a Postgraduate Certificate in 8 months. Our course can be studied at Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s Level, with the opportunity to stop, pause or progress between stages. Whilst most complete a full Master’s degree with us, many students choose to pause after the first or second stage, graduating and continuing their careers with ‘PGCert’ or ‘PGDip’ after their name.
- An international network of professionals. Access to a network of practitioners working in roles related to peacebuilding internationally, as well as the large team of researchers and practitioners working in the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations.
- A distinctive, international course led by world-leading experts. Delivered by active international researchers, our courses are global: from the content of the programme and the staff leading them, to the diverse backgrounds of our participants.
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL1) is the process by which Coventry University awards credits towards a qualification based on a student’s prior learning and experience in, for example, their career, previous qualifications and other, relevant life experience.
For this course, Coventry University is able to award a third of the credits of the qualification based on a student’s reflection on the outcomes of their prior experience and learning, providing a fast-track option and an opportunity to complete a master’s degree in 16 months rather than 2 years. For more information on our APEL route or this course, contact our Postgraduate Programmes Team at study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.
More than just a degree
Our aim is to deliver protective security and resilience programmes that are comprehensive, applied and relevant not only for those already working in security-related fields but also for individuals considering a career in protective security.

What you'll study
Protective Security and Resilience is becoming an important and influential consideration in the counter terrorism, security and development disciplines, particularly in relation to crowded places and critical infrastructure protection. Our new and impactful programme focuses on the complex security-related challenges faced by law enforcement, governments and businesses and how these are understood and mitigated in order to help keep people safe.
Our postgraduate programmes in Protective Security and Resilience (PG Cert, PG Dip, MSc) are shaped by research-active staff and real-world events. Delivered in a friendly and supportive learning environment, these innovative and highly interactive programmes allow students to understand and analyse current issues and develop their skills in response.
If you take the full route, the whole course will take two years. If you take the APEL1 fast track however, you don’t study the PGDip and you study all modules within a 16-month period.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Starting in September, each year our distance learning courses combine short participatory workshops and online learning. There are 3 optional workshops during the course.
This course is part-time. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please contact the CTPSR Postgraduate Programmes Team at study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk if you have questions about part-time study and teaching hours.
Online modules are provided through the virtual learning environment (Aula) to facilitate communication between staff and students, and between students. You will have access to Coventry University’s library, including its digital resources and library support for distance learners.
At each stage of the programme, you will have the opportunity to participate in three optional online workshops. Each workshop will last for five days. The online workshops are covered in the course fees.
Teaching contact hours
The number of part-time contact hours and self-directed study hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 hours per week, in total.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Essays
- Group work
- Presentations
- Reports
- Projects
- Coursework
- Individual Assignments
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | Not available | £10,600 (MSc) | £7,066 (PG Dip) | £3,533 (PG Cert) in total |
International | Not available | £10,600 (MSc) | £7,066 (PG Dip) | £3,533 (PG Cert) in total |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Careers and opportunities
On successful completion of the course students will receive a Postgraduate Certificate; Postgraduate Diploma or MSc. Completion of the course will provide students with a more holistic and critical understanding of key factors and discussions in the field of protective security.
The programme is evolving alongside contemporary challenges and our teaching reflects that. Further to this, the course ultimately seeks to create a learning community, where ideas can be interchanged and debated amongst everyone.
- These are the benefits that the MSc in Protective Security and Resilience can offer you, and should thus enhance your career prospects in the following ways:
If you are already a practitioner, you will have the opportunity to broaden your professional network, which is very likely to be useful to you in the workplace, whilst also gaining a formal accredited postgraduate qualification, which may be required for further progression in your career. - If you are an individual with an interest in protecting crowded places, critical infrastructure and business risk mitigation, this course can help equip you with the skills and knowledge.
Where our graduates work
Graduates from this course have developed the skills and knowledge necessary to enter into jobs within a broad spectrum of organisations, including: law enforcement, government, private security organisations, architectural design and development companies, international non-government organisations and also academia.
How to apply
-
UK Students
Prior to submitting an application please ensure you have the following supporting documents ready to upload:
- Detailed personal statement
- Academic transcripts and award certificate of your first degree
- English Language Certificate e.g. IELTS
- Reference letter from a current/ former tutor and/ or line manager*
- CV
- Passport copy/scan
- APEL form
*This must be sent directly by the referee to study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.
Part-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
-
International Students
Prior to submitting an application please ensure you have the following supporting documents ready to upload:
- Detailed personal statement
- Academic transcripts and award certificate of your first degree
- English Language Certificate e.g. IELTS
- Reference letter from a current/ former tutor and/ or line manager*
- CV
- Passport copy/scan
- APEL form
*This must be sent directly by the referee to study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.
Part-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimer
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.