This Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree brings together European and international partners to provide an integrated study programme engaging with theoretical, empirical and applied approaches to security, intelligence and strategy. You will study in locations across Europe and will have the opportunity to apply for work-based learning placements with practitioner organisations.

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 have radically changed the way we understand security in relation to the state, society, the economy and even the biosphere. There is a growing demand for greater attention and coordinated responses from the international community, including not only individual countries but also international organisations such as the European Union (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 not only to 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 practice is the purpose of the IMSISS degree programme.

Teaching Methodology

IMSISS is innovative in delivering learning:

• Specialist master classes and webinars (online seminars) provided by practitioners and visiting academics give students a broad understanding of security themes.

• The programme addresses a wide range of challenging intellectual questions, as well as the policy and ethical dilemmas that arise when state and non-state actors seek to resolve threats ranging from traditional interstate conflict to diverse contemporary issues such as terrorism, organised crime, and insecurity and vulnerability associated with technological and cyberspace advances.

• Students gain experience of the methods and products (linked to intelligence gathering and analysis, diplomacy and strategic communications) used by states as well as international political and economic/business communities to advance their security.

Advantages

Students on this degree programme have the opportunity to study in locations across Europe - the University of Glasgow, the University of Trento or Dublin City University, and the University of Prague. The student body is highly international, and the degree is taught entirely in English with extensive opportunities for language learning. IMSISS students examine, analyse and learn about the practical implications of 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. They also explore the intelligence and strategic approaches used by governmental and non-governmental actors to combat these threats.

The degree offers its students 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.

See what IMSISS students think about the course.