Intelligence Analysis PG Cert (Distance Learning)

Intelligence and security policy issues are one of the fastest growing areas of academic and public concern. More than ever before, national governments, international agencies and international corporations need employees with a strong grasp of intelligence and security concerns who can also demonstrate first-rate skills of research and assessment.

The Intelligence Analysis course at Brunel offers you a unique opportunity for practical, policy oriented graduate study of intelligence issues across the private and public sectors around the world.

The course is taught over nine months through a range of online resources that include journals, e-books, specialised tools in intelligence analyst and other materials such as government declassified documents.

You will connect to the a team of supportive academic staff through online tutorials during their office hours and take part in a week long residential course on campus consisting of workshops, presentations and exercises.

Highly committed and enthusiastic tutors combine broad-ranging expertise in areas such as cryptography, computer networking, imagery, intelligence analysis, economics and law, with the knowledge, skills and understanding to develop your academic and professional potential.

You will be taught by some of the UK’s most innovative scholars in intelligence and security studies: an expert on covert action and military intelligence doctrine, a specialist in structured analytic techniques and a former senior military imagery analyst.

These scholars are part of the Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS) that produce important original research that is published worldwide and contributes to the success of government and business in the UK.

Graduates secure jobs in the private and public sector with most pursuing careers in intelligence and security studies. Those already in government employment find the course supports their promotion, commissions or provides new employment opportunities post-retirement.

Private sector opportunities are especially strong in analytical functions for the banking, resources and risk and security sectors.

The Intelligence and Securities Studies PG Cert is structured around two compulsory modules.

This course can be studied 9 months part-time distance learning, starting in September.

Within the UK, students with no service experience have gone on to work for the British Security Service, the Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Centres, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and other departments of government. Many students have noted to us that the innovative studies they undertook on our programme were important topics of discussion in their interviews. Those already in Government employment have successfully used their degrees to leverage promotion or commissioning.

Students who have sought work in the private sector have likewise had success. Former BCISS students have gone to work for large banks conducting market analysis, to large oil-industry firms, to large consultancies, and to specialist private analysis firms such as MS Risk, Grey Dynamics, and many more. Indeed, MS Risk have had such success with our graduates that they have offered to fund a prize for the BCISS student who writes the best dissertation, annually.

Overall, BCISS students have had a strong record of success in the years after their degrees.

• A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, with an understanding of the realities of academic intelligence and security study and the frameworks within which intelligence and security operations work.

Applicants with other qualifications or with relevant work-related experience, will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants will be interviewed.

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

This course is assessed via three types of assignments. Firstly, you will complete a portfolio of short assignments to be submitted online, aiming to engage you with the key readings on a regular basis, gain frequent feedback from lecturers, and allowing you to interact with other students.

The second stage of assessment will be during the residential week on-campus, where you will take part in presentations and exercises, giving you an opportunity to test the arguments you wish to make in your final essay as you discuss with your peers and academics.

Finally, you will submit a final essay where you reflect on your learning throughout the course.