Terrorism, International Crime and Global Security MA

Postgraduate

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This interdisciplinary course is concerned with the threats posed by terrorism and international crime to national and global governance, human rights and ethics.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
16-24 months (with professional experience)

Course code

AHT022

Start date

September 2025
January 2026
May 2026

How to apply

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At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.

Course overview

Since the end of the Cold War, there has been a growing awareness of the changing nature of security threats facing individuals, communities and states worldwide. With intensifying economic, political, cultural and military globalisation, there is now a heightened awareness of terrorism and international crime.

Guest speakers and field trips² are an integral part of the course. Previous field trips have included visits to the counter-crime, counter-terrorism and counter-modern slavery organisations.
Previous students have been able to work on placements² with the local police forces, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international organisations within Europe, including the anti-mafia organisation AddioPizzo in Sicily, Ethicando in Paris, the UN NGO Women’s Federation for World Peace in Geneva, the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, CISS (Cooperation International South-South) in Italy, and Chatham House in London.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

The course has been designed to reflect the changing perceptions of international relations in the 21st century. It puts the twin threats of the ‘war on terror’ and transnational organised crime into context with modern societies facing broader challenges, including economic inequality, environmental pollution, disease, natural disasters, state collapse and racial or religious tensions.

Research-informed teaching will be delivered by our many experts on peacekeeping, foreign policy, criminal mafias, security and policing. Current staff include a current Director of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, a senior security adviser to the British government’s stabilisation unit and the academic responsible for pioneering the study of mafias within UK universities (staff are subject to change).
Our academic expertise is complemented by the input of international security practitioners². You can benefit from interaction with professionals such as counter-crime and counter-terrorism experts, police officers, judicial prosecutors, diplomats and NGO workers. You could also have opportunities to attend workshops at the foreign affairs think tank Chatham House, travel to Sicily to study the mafia and anti-mafia organisations in situ or study organised crime in Costa Rica.
The interdisciplinary approach of this course provides transferrable skills valued by employers and has helped former students secure a broad range of employment worldwide, as civil servants, diplomats, journalists, military and police officers, NGO leaders and security professionals.
We aim to provide a series of specialist workshops, delivered by experienced practitioners which in the past, have included ambassadors, UN weapons inspectors, chief constables, anti-mafia judges, and anti-trafficking and smuggling officers².

We aim to facilitate access to international learning experiences via course-related optional field trips², and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) activities² (past examples include webinars with the University of Costa Rica, the University of Buenos Aires and with the South-South International Cooperation organisation in Sicily).

More than just a degree

Studying at Coventry University has been one of the best decisions I have made. My course director makes sure everyone is supported. All our lectures are carried out professionally even though they were online.
Maria Adebayo, Terrorism, International Crime and Global Security MA student, 2021

What you'll study

The key themes of this master’s degree are addressed in the three core subjects: international organised crime, international terrorism and threats to global security.

Part-time students split the full-time course across two years of study, taking at least one module per semester. The Critical Thinking module must be taken in the first semester of enrolment. A dissertation must be submitted in the final semester of enrolment.

Modules

Critical Thinking – 15 credits

International Organised Crime – 15 credits

This module is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of International and Transnational organised crime. If the ‘war on terrorism’ has become the paramount concern since 9/11, the struggle against organised and transnational crime is becoming a parallel defining security theme of the 21st century. The problem of organised crime is growing throughout the world and crimes such as human and drug trafficking, money laundering, prostitution and illegal arms trading are all sources of concern for governments worldwide.

Compulsory

Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism – 15 credits

This module seeks to provide you with a critical understanding of the issues surrounding contemporary international terrorism. This specifically includes its different causes and rationales, the relationship that it has to other forms of violence and social protest, the ethical and practical dilemmas surrounding terrorism, and the response of states and international organisations to international terrorism.

Compulsory

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking – 15 credits

This module seeks to provide you with a critical understanding of the issues surrounding trafficking in human beings. This specifically includes an understanding of the definition of trafficking in human beings and that trafficking is a process that can occur over a period of time. It will examine the phenomenon of trafficking putting it into a modern context and outline key problems, both within the UK and internationally. It will also consider the differences and inter-relationships between trafficking and people smuggling.

Compulsory

Corruption in the International System – 15 credits

Governance, economic development, private sector trading, international security and sports are all impacted by the consequences of corruption. This module addresses the causes and impacts of corruption in the international system and engages in the critical debate on counter-corruption activities with concern to the effectiveness, practicality, and ethicality of these approaches.

Compulsory

Threats to Global Security – 15 credits

This module seeks to provide you with an informed understanding of the key threats that are posed to global security. Since the end of the Cold War, there has been a widening in the number of threats affecting individual, group, state and international security.

To this end, the threat of major armed conflict between states that was a dominant feature of much of the 20th and 19th centuries has been replaced by a range of new threats that include crime, economic inequality, poverty, environmental pollution, diseases, natural disasters, state collapse, non-state actors, terrorism and the re-emergence of racial and religious tension.

In examining these issues, you’ll focus on the theoretical and practical policy challenges that are posed to global security and the ability of states and international organisations to respond to the challenges.

Compulsory

Changing Character of War and Terrorism – 15 credits

This module is designed to provide the foundations of the theory and the praxis of war. In attending this module, you will be introduced to the key concepts of, and will be encouraged to critically assess, past, present and future issues of violent conflicts and defence policies of great powers, and relate them to the global political context of the 21st century.

Compulsory

International Security Praxis – 15 credits

Creative Futures and Social Change – 10 credits

This module explores the changing world of work which Arts and Humanities students enter after study. New technology and the changing global economy mean that jobs and skills are changing and evolving quickly and will continue to do so. This is an exciting and new world, and this module is designed to empoweryou to realise your potential in it.

This module provides tools for you to develop into changemakers, thrive in a changing world of work and participate in creating a better future for society. You’ll be guided through a process of reflection that explores four possible futures for the world of work and how to situate your own professional identity asthe future of work changes through your careers. This module is designed in collaboration with The RSA (Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), and upon successful completion students will receive RSA digital badging

Compulsory

Dissertation – 50 credits

The project builds on the knowledge accumulated by previous modules. You will complete a substantive piece of individual research into a topical issue from within your discipline. You will be expected to draw upon the knowledge acquired, and the intellectual, technical and analytical skills developed during your programme. The module also provides an opportunity for you to develop your interests in a particular area and to demonstrate an ability to undertake individual independent research.

Compulsory

With professional experience option

The professional experience opportunity² enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability.

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, for which 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.

Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.

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

On the full-time course, during each of the first two semesters, we will teach four modules designed to establish the core agenda of the programme, alongside pertinent research skills. In your third semester, you will complete a 15,000-word dissertation. All modules are assigned 15 credits, except dissertation (50 credits) and the Creative Futures and Social Change module (10 credits).

The topics included in the course are delivered as interactive and multimedia workshops. They blend case studies, practical illustrations and theoretical analysis. Each session is designed to encourage interaction and debate.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. 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. Request further information about part-time study

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first year. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 35 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules. 

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

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.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. 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.

International experience opportunities

Attracting students from many different European, African, Asian and American (North and South) countries, this course offers a multicultural learning experience of diverse cultures and values, which will better prepare you to work in an increasingly globalised job market.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed².

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as finance, accounting or economics. Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director. For information regarding what might amount to a ‘relevant experience’ that would count, or ‘academic discipline’ that would qualify, please contact us using our online form for UK students.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5
If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £11,200 \| £15,200 (with prof. experience)	Request fee information
EU	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £11,200 \| £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £18,600 \| £22,600 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £18,600 \| £22,600 (with prof. experience)	Not available

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.

Tuition fees³ cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

You will benefit from studying on our well-equipped, modern campus. Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities in a dedicated environment⁴.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

The Library

You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Your Students’ Union.

Beautiful building surrounded by trees on a sunny day

Jaguar Centre

The Jaguar Centre has been specifically designed to provide facilities and services to support our postgraduate students including social spaces, computer suites and separate areas for small group study.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student campus life. It's also home to the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Spirituality and Faith Centre, the Tank Studio, Student Success Coaches and the Enterprise Hub.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

the nature of terrorism, its evolution and role in the changing world order
the threat of organised crime in the changing world order
the changing international environment and the threats posed to global security
the principles of consultancy and the theories and practices found in leadership.

You should be able to:

evaluate the different perspectives and approaches used in the study of terrorism, organised crime and global security
demonstrate awareness of, and sensitivity to, differing international environments and the impact that these have on terrorism, international crime and global security
apply advanced research skills, identify appropriate sources and methods, take personal responsibility and demonstrate initiative in dealing with complex and unpredictable environments
demonstrate advanced analytical and evaluative skills to construct fair, coherent and convincing arguments
exhibit advanced problem-solving skills, tackling complex issues both independently and as part of a team.

Employers are looking for individuals with the ability to work across different cultures, to manage teams and possess problem-solving and critical analysis skills.

We encourage you to gain first-hand experience through volunteering and placement opportunities². In the past, students have undertaken internships in counter terrorism with the West Midlands Police or anti-mafia and anti-trafficking grass-root project in Sicily, France and Greece and spent time conducting research in universities abroad, such as the Arab-American University in Jenin, or an anti-mafia research centre in Palermo.

Where our graduates work

Our graduates have been successful in securing employment in the foreign services of a range of countries from Ethiopia to the UK, as well as working in government departments in Kenya, Nigeria, Gulf States, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Ghana and the United Kingdom. Several have gone on to enter the security services in their home country; others have sought careers in international organisations, non-governmental organisations, or international commerce and business.

Some students are now working with big security firms in different parts of the world, others with NGOs and national police or military forces.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.

Full-time applications

If this course has a part-time option, you can apply here.

Part-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For 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.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

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 unpaid and/or 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, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any 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 UK (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. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. 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.