International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies
Dublin, Ireland
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* See University of Glasgow website
Key Summary
The International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS) is a 24 month Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) developed by a consortium of four European universities –University of Glasgow (UK), Dublin City University (Ireland), Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic) and University of Trento (Italy).
Students in this degree programme will examine a broad range of contemporary security challenges, such as terrorism, civil war and conflict, mass migration, energy supply security, cyber security and new technologies, and transnational and serious organised crime. Students will also explore the intelligence and strategic approaches used by governmental and non-governmental actors to combat these threats.
The degree adopts a unique approach to the study of security by combining theoretical, applied and empirical knowledge and skill sets. Students will have the opportunity to meet with and work alongside a range of academics and researchers from international partner universities and think tanks from around the world, as well as practitioner experts from governmental and industry security and defence sectors.
Further information and application details can be found on the IMSISS website.
The programme is structured around four mobility periods across two years. During Year 1 you will undertake a series of core and optional courses reflecting key themes and research design.
In Year 2 you will choose a specialist concentration containing a range of themed courses. Also included is a fourth flexible study period, during which time you will complete your independent study (dissertation) and may have the opportunity to undertake a work-based learning placement with a relevant associate partner.
Each mobility period is designed to provide you with a variety of perspectives on the three core themes of the programme and to dive
Core and optional courses include:
- International security & strategic thought (UofG)
- Intelligence analysis & policy-making (UofG)
- European & international security strategies (UofG)
- Intelligence & security analysis: theory & practice (DCU)
- Political terrorism (DCU)
- Conflict, security & peacebuilding (DCU)
- Politics of the Middle East & North Africa (DCU)
- Arms control & disarmament (Charles)
- Economic warfare (Charles)
- Radicalisation & deradicalisation (Charles)
- Cyber security (Charles)
- Space security (Charles)
- Ethics & violence (Charles)
Course Life
International security presents complex, challenging realities for a wide range of actors from nation states and international organisations, to multinational corporations. Globalisation and increased interdependency has radically changed the way we view security in relation to state, society, the economy and even the biosphere.
There is a demand for greater attention and coordinated responses from the international community, including not only individual nation states but also international organisations such as the EU, the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN) and security alliances such as NATO.
To support these organisations there is a need for knowledgeable, well informed experts with the skills to not only react to crises, but to identify and anticipate the threats and challenges that create crises. These experts can and should come from civilian (e.g. academia, governmental, non-governmental and private sectors) as well as military backgrounds.
Bridging these ‘expert’ security communities and ensuring opportunities for dedicated training and shared knowledge, experiences and best practices is the purpose of this IMSISS degree programme.
IMSISS has five key objectives which seek to ensure students:
- attain a firm understanding of the theoretical concepts that inform contemporary security studies
- acquire the expertise and necessary skills to critically engage with security, intelligence and strategy in an applied manner;
- are provided with experiential learning and employability enhancement through work-based learning opportunities with practitioner organisations;
- have access to a range of academic and non-academic personnel from industry and business, the military, intelligence community, governmental and non-governmental organisations thus helping to understand how security experts shape security practice
- utilise mobility experiences to develop, appreciate the importance of, and articulate intercultural awareness as a key aspect of addressing security challenges
- Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings)
- Ranked among the world's top 350 universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings). Business and Economics (201-250), Arts and Humanities (201-250), Research Environment (301)
- Ireland’s highest-ranked young university, placed 59th globally (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings).
- Ranked 1st in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate (and 23rd Globally) by QS World University Rankings
- 96% of DCU graduates are in employment or further studies within 6 months of graduation
- Voted no. 1 worldwide for Career Development by Global Student Satisfaction Awards
As a student of the IMSISS programme, you will develop many aptitudes and experiences attractive to employers. They have the opportunity to undertake short study visits to other universities and can apply for work-based learning placements as part of the independent study semester. In the labour market, there is a need for knowledgeable, well-informed experts with the skills to not only react to crises but to identify and anticipate the threats and challenges that create crises.
These experts can and should come from civilian (e.g. academia, governmental, non-governmental and private sectors) as well as military backgrounds. Bridging these ‘expert’ security communities and ensuring opportunities for dedicated training and shared knowledge, experiences and best practices is the purpose of this IMSISS degree programme.
Career Areas
The programme will provide students with the training and knowledge to move into national/ international government/ civil service, NGOs, private security sector, media, armed forces, business related activities (i.e. risk analysis) or academia.
Career Prospects
- Adult Education
- Development Work
- Diplomatic Services
- EU and International Advisory bodies
- EU Institutions
- Government Agencies
- Government Departments
- International Development Agencies
- International organisations