Countering Organised Crime and Terrorism MSc/PG Dip

Students develop an understanding of how science, engineering and a variety of professional disciplines can contribute to tackling organised crime and terrorism. By the end of the programme, they will be able to apply appropriate scientific principles and methods to security problems, think strategically to develop and implement countermeasures, and appreciate the complexity involved in the design and implementation of organised crime and terrorism threat-reduction technologies.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

Students are required to complete five core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).

A Postgraduate Diploma comprising five core modules (75 credits) and three optional modules (45 credits), and which may lead to the MSc, is offered.

• Perspectives on Organised Crime
• Perspectives on Terrorism
• Foundations of Security and Crime Science
• Designing and Doing Research
• Quantitative Methods

Students choose three of the following:

• Qualitative Methods
• Crime Mapping and Spatial Analysis
• Investigation and Detection
• Cybercrime
• Intelligence Gathering and Analysis
• Risk and Contingency Planning
• Introduction to Cybersecurity
• Prevention and Disruption
• Terrorism (UCL Political Science, not available for distance learning students)

NB: places for optional modules are awarded on a first-come first-served basis.

All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, projects and laboratory classes. Student performance is assessed through laboratory and project reports, unseen written examination, coursework, presentations, and the research project and dissertation.