BA

Intelligence and International Security

BA Intelligence and International Security Code L253 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

L253

  • UCAS Tariff

    128 - 104

  • Course duration

    3 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

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In an increasingly interconnected, contested and complex world, international actors face a range of security challenges. These include inter- and intra-state conflict, international terrorism, cyber threats, nuclear proliferation, global health pandemics, transnational crime, population displacement, natural disasters and climate change. You will draw on ideas from strategic, intelligence and security studies to understand and analyse these challenges from different perspectives and explore innovative and holistic responses to them.

BA Intelligence and International Security at Aberystwyth University focuses on the international politics of war and the complex security challenges facing us all. As the world’s first Department of International Politics, founded in 1919 in the aftermath of World War One, we have been pioneers in the study of international relations and conflict for over a hundred years. Yet, while we learn from the past, our attention is focused on the present – and future – of strategy, secret intelligence and the search for security for individuals, societies, states and for the planet itself.

You will explore the complexities of how intelligence is gathered and assessed before it is disseminated to decision-makers and examine how this process and its products influence responses to security threats. You will also evaluate the importance of information, secrecy, and surveillance while considering the ethical, moral and legal implications that arise from engaging in intelligence activities through historical case studies.

Course Overview

We offer a wide range of modules across strategy, intelligence and security, including NATO, Arab-Israeli wars, Russian intelligence, nuclear strategy and politics, European security, terrorism and counter-terrorism, US intelligence and the Global Cold War. You can also take modules on international relations, embedding your knowledge of strategy, intelligence and security within the wider context of global politics, on topics such as: international institutions, development, political economy, climate change, as well as regional politics in Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.

Intelligence and International Security students are often at the heart of student life in the department at Aberystwyth. You'll enjoy our annual three-day Crisis Simulation Games and play an active role in the Model UN and International Politics Societies – or you might join our local Officer Training Corps. Like all of the Department’s students, you can participate in our prestigious Parliamentary Placement scheme at Westminster or the Senedd in Cardiff, or can spend a semester abroad in many destinations, including Australia, Canada, Thailand, Norway, China, Netherlands, Turkey and France.

Our Staff

Lecturers in the Department of International Politics are all research active and qualified to PhD level, and most also have a PGCHE.

Careers

Our degrees provide a solid foundation for a wide array of careers across a range of sectors. In a rapidly shifting global economy, our graduates are adaptable and able to draw on a range of transferable skills, ensuring that they are always in demand. Our graduates have been successful in securing roles in the development sector; local and national politics; the Civil Service; Government research; social research; the third sector, such as with NGOs; international organisations; and journalism, for example.

What opportunities are there for me whilst studying at University? 

Employability is embedded across our teaching. We teach our students to aim for the career they want, not the job that they can get.

  • We operate a prestigious Parliamentary Placement scheme, enabling you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an AM (Welsh Assembly, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer. During this time, you will write reports and speeches, undertake research projects, and respond to constituency issues. There may be further opportunities for you to get involved in elections and various international issues.
  • We are also home to Interstate, the oldest student-run international politics journal in the United Kingdom, providing a unique opportunity for you to publish your work (particularly advantageous if you wish to progress to postgraduate study) or gain valuable experience working as part of the editorial team.
  • Stimulating student societies foster a strong sense of community within the department, offering a programme of political debates, visiting speakers, conferences and workshops, alongside numerous social activities such as an annual ball.

What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying? 

Find out about the various opportunities that our Careers Service offers. Enhance your employability prospects with our Year in Employment Scheme.

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

In your first year, you will be introduced to central concepts and themes in the study of international politics, intelligence and security.

In your second year, you will explore intelligence and security in international politics in more detail, considering intelligence and security dilemmas within the framework of key strategic concepts: 

  • Intelligence Studies - Modules on intelligence studies explore the complexities of how intelligence is gathered and assessed before it is disseminated to decision-makers, and you'll examine how this process and its products influence responses to security threats. You'll also get an opportunity to evaluate the importance of information, secrecy, and surveillance while considering the ethical, moral and legal implications that arise from engaging in intelligence activities through historical case studies.
  • Security Studies - Modules on security studies will enable you to identify and understand the range of threats, risks and challenges to international, national and individual security. A key feature of this degree is the emphasis on innovative teaching approaches such as strategic gaming and role-plays. These innovative activities explore the process of decision-making and develop your analytical and problem-solving abilities.

In your final year, you'll be introduced to the general principles of research methods, methodologies and theoretical frameworks to enable you to undertake an independent research inquiry and write your dissertation.

You'll also choose from a broad range of optional modules covering topics such as Nato, propaganda and secret intelligence, terrorism and counter terrorism.

Extra-curricular activities

We encourage you to take part in the Crisis Games, which is a yearly residential event away from Aberystwyth. Crisis games have been based on humanitarian crises, the Northern Ireland peace process, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the US presidential election, environmental disaster in the Arctic, and war between Russia and Georgia. The Crisis Games will allow you to learn about aspects of international politics which cannot be taught in lectures and seminars, especially the constraints which political leaders face in responding to various crises. This is one of the highlights of the year.

How will I be taught?

We deliver this degree through the medium of lectures and seminars.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through essays, reports, examinations, book reviews, learning logs and presentations.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 128 - 104

A Levels ABB-BCC

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
30-28

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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