Intelligence, Security and Disaster Management

In this MSc programme, you don’t just study the theory and background to security, intelligence and disaster management. You will apply this knowledge to real-life situations as you evaluate contemporary practices in areas such as risk assessment, emergency response, counterterrorism, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction and learn to develop practical solutions to complex problems.  Studying this programme will equip you with knowledge, skills and vocational attributes that can develop or enhance a range of career paths in these fascinating areas.

A unique combination

Our MSc degree has been carefully designed to improve your knowledge and understanding of key aspects of intelligence, security and disaster management.

Our programme brings together insights from a wide range of disciplines across Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Public and Environmental Health. This unique combination will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues such as:

• violent extremism and its varied manifestation in the modern era (terrorism, radicalisation, social disorder etc.)
• security and threat vectors
• disruptive events (disasters, emergencies, pandemics, security incidents etc.); their causes, impacts and management
• the climate crisis and the social impacts of changes in the natural environment,
• humanitarian assistance in evolving and unsecured territories.

The programme offers an innovative blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights that will support you to become an outstanding professional in the fields of Intelligence, Security and Disaster Management or other related sectors.

Our programme offers a range of opportunities to interact with professionals from different authorities, services and organisations in the United Kingdom and beyond. You will be exposed to the latest research and practice-based knowledge as you deepen your understanding of how to respond to critical challenges such as natural disasters, mass casualty events, violent extremism and the threats posed by climate change. This exposure to the operating environment in the UK is complemented by opportunities to engage with multiple experts from governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations within the UK and around the world.

Our strong collaborative networks, locally and globally, mean you will be exposed to outstanding guest speakers and contributors who can cater to a range of student interests. These connections to expert practitioners will give you valuable insights into how the concepts taught in this programme are applied in practice within the UK and around the world.

You will also gain valuable insights from leading practitioners in these fields around the skills and knowledge required to excel in your future career.

External Recognition

Our programme is recognised by the United Kingdom National Security Secretariat. It is listed on the Civil Service Platform called the Crisis Management Excellence Programme (CMEP). Coordinated by Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR), CMEP exists to support the professionalisation of crisis management in government through a combination of formal training, informal knowledge sharing, exercising, and a cross-government community of like-minded professionals.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You will be taught by a passionate, enthusiastic and skilled team, together with expert guest lecturers and speakers from across the fields of intelligence, security and disaster management including UN agencies, first response agencies, NGOs and public sector entities. You will learn through

• traditional lectures
• experiential learning (which may include seminars, role-playing scenarios, fieldtrips)
• service learning (which may include research, community engagement activities, volunteering)
• creative learning (which may include may include simulation exercises, design thinking and thought experiments)

The programme teaching team combines several years of experience teaching security and disaster management related modules using the above outlined teaching methods.

How you are assessed

The course will assess your skills, knowledge, and understanding including transferable skills through essays based on case studies, scenarios, presentations, briefings and risk assessment and analysis, data mapping and research-based tasks. Assessment is through 100% coursework.

You will also be assessed through independent study based on a topic of your choice. Additional ungraded practical assessments may be undertaken as simulation exercise, based on observation, interaction and a range of experiential approaches to problem-solving.

Our MSc Intelligence, Security and Disaster Management opens up many career options, in the UK and overseas, whether you want to work within government, the private sector or the wider humanitarian sector. Typical roles where the knowledge and skills from this programme can be applied include:

• Emergency planning officer in private, charity or public sector roles
• Crisis management professional
• Risk assessor and/ or insurance specialist
• Atomic and nuclear emergency response
• First responder roles (Police, Fire and Ambulance Services)
• Civil service professional specialising in emergency planning, climate adaption, infrastructure protection etc.
• Business continuity expert
• Humanitarian aid professional
• Intelligence roles in military or civil intelligence and/or security services
• Counter-terrorism analyst
• Community engagement officer (disaster preparedness)
• Community engagement officer (preventing violent extremism)
• Private sector security consultant
• Environmental and public health roles
• Disaster relief specialists.

For the MSc you will usually need:

• An undergraduate degree (2:2 or above) in a social science subject (criminology, sociology, psychology, international relations, policing, criminal justice), natural sciences (including but not exclusive to geography, earth sciences) or health (across a range of programmes to be discussed with programme leader), business studies or economics.
• If English is not your first language, you will also need IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each skills area.

We also welcome applicants who have substantial professional experience but do not have a degree, subject to personal statements, references and interviews with the programme leader.

2025/26 (August 2025 - July 2026)

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

2026/27 (August 2026 - July 2027)

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.