MPhil/PhD Security and Intelligence Studies by Research

Course Info

BUCSIS has a vibrant programme of active research currently being undertaken in a range of security and intelligence issues, involving both the UK and overseas.

Some of our current research projects include:

• Muhammad Tahir Mahmood is researching the judicial system, security and intelligence agencies and counter-terrorism in Pakistan under the question of “The Role of the Judicial System and Law Enforcement Agencies in Combating Terrorism”
• Bryony Norburn is working on intelligence history and Bletchley Park, researching the role that women played at Bletchley Park during the Second World War.
• Richard Hallows is researching cybersecurity policy in the UK.
• Diva Patang Wardak is conducting an evaluation of Afghanistan’s new intelligence agency, the NDS.
• Andreja Bogdanovski is currently examining the reasons behind states’ involvement in the process of securing ecclesiastical independence in the Eastern Orthodox Church, with special reference to the churches in North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine.
• Awwal Isa is investigating how academia could bolster professionalism in the Nigerian intelligence community
• Fidel Abowei is exploring the potency of soft power as a tool of statecraft in inter-African relations and how likely it is to yield tangible foreign policy outcomes

Teaching & Assessment

Quality supervision

The aim of the Research Programme is to help students develop the following: a) a systematic and in depth understanding in the subject area of choice of research by the student; b) the critical skills necessary to analyse and evaluate complex legal problems and related issues; c) To give students the opportunity to undertake substantial independent research project at Level 7 of writing; d) research skills necessary to demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities; e) To develop research skills necessary to display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the opinions of other authors in the subject.

After Your Course

Graduate employment

Our graduate prospects are excellent] Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.

Applicants are normally expected to have a first or second class, upper division degree or significant experience. A Master’s degree is preferred.