Teaching & modules

Modules

Terrorism, Security & Society - Teaching & Modules

Courses are divided into modules. Over the two years you will take modules totalling 180 credits. 

Required modules

You are required to take the following modules: 

  • Terrorism & Counter Terrorism (45 credits)
  • Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

In addition, you are required to take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include: 

  • Armchair Intelligence - Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)
  • Homegrown Radicalisation & Counter-Radicalisation in Western Europe & North America (30 credits)
  • Technology, Security and Global Politics (15 credits)
  • The Science and Security of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Weapons (15 credits)
  • Responding to Terrorism (15 credits)
  • Gender in International Politics and Security (15 credits)
  • Sanctions and Economic Statecraft in War and Peace (15 credits)
  • Negotiation and Mediation (15 credits)

Part time students are required to take Terrorism & Counter Terrorism (45 credits) and up to 60 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will write your Dissertation (60 credits) and take optional modules adding up to the remaining credits from the optional module list.

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Seminars
Self-Study

The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic workload might look like as you progress through your studies:

Module

Lectures, seminars and feedback

Self-study

Per 15-credit module

20 hours of teaching. Typically, 2 hours per week over one 10-week term. This can be split into lectures and seminars. A 30-credit module will be double this.

130 hours

Dissertation module (60 credits)

Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision

588 hours

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Please note: Teaching for part-time students in the Department of War Studies is scheduled between the hours of 9 AM and 6 PM Monday-Friday. Individual student timetables are dependent on the modules chosen and vary each year, so we are unable to provide these in advance. Timetables are usually released in mid-September following enrolment.

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Written/practical examinations
  • Essays
  • Presentations
  • Exams

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Assessment patterns vary between modules. Forms of assessment may typically include essays, individual and group presentations, exercises and exams. The dissertation module will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment.

Application closing date guidance

Key Information

Course type:

Master's

Delivery mode:

On campus

Study mode:

Full time / Part time

Duration:

One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time

Application status:

Open

Start date:

September 2026