BA

Intelligence and International Security

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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. On the BA Intelligence and International Security degree at Aberystwyth University, 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.

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. You can also study international relations, embedding your knowledge within the wider context of global politics, on topics such as international institutions, development, political economy, and climate change, as well as regional politics in Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.

You'll participate in our renowned ‘Crisis Games’ - a three-day role-playing exercise in political, economic and diplomatic manoeuvres which will develop your negotiation and communication, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills. You can also take part in our prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, which enables you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an MS (Welsh Senedd, Cardiff) for a period of four to six weeks during the summer.

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 and strategy, intelligence and security.

In your second year, you will explore strategy, intelligence and security in international politics in more detail:

  • Strategic Studies - Modules on strategic studies will enable you to situate intelligence dilemmas within the framework of the key strategic concepts that shape our understanding of war and peace. Through an examination of the nature and character of war, you'll learn how various actors, technology, geography, and ideology bring about change or create continuity within the international system. 
  • 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, spies at war, 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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