Intelligence, Security and Resilience

Looking for a course that prepares you for constant challenges and unexpected events? BSc (Hons) Intelligence, Security, and Resilience is all about understanding the impact of contemporary issues such as climate change, cyberattacks, crime, geopolitical change, commercial competition and more, both for businesses and governments.

We are living in a time where technology and human life are blending in fascinating yet complex ways. This degree helps you make sense of it all and teaches you how to be a valuable player in this rapidly changing world. We cover everything from investigation and verification of information to identifying patterns, making assessments, and presenting analysis. These skills are universally valuable, you can specialise early on choosing to work on a local or global scale or anywhere in between.

Why Study This Subject?
In today's 'permacrisis' world, organisations confront a multitude of challenges, from climate change to cyber threats, geopolitical shifts, and more. BSc (Hons) Intelligence, Security and Resilience equips you with the expertise needed to help organisations anticipate, prepare for, protect against, and respond effectively to any potential threat or risk.

We are at the dawn of the 4th industrial revolution, characterized by hyper-connectivity, AI, open data, VR, AR, and the merging of humans with technology. This course not only helps you understand the opportunities and risks inherent in this new world but also empowers you to actively participate and make a difference.

Whether you're launching a new career or enhancing existing experience with academic qualifications, this degree broadens your professional knowledge. It also enhances valuable life skills, including public speaking, research, and critical analysis.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
Uniquely, at BNU we put our focus on the skills and behaviours necessary to succeed as an analyst team leader, as well as the knowledge. This means that our graduates are equipped to immediately enter fulfilling roles in the intelligence, security, and resilience industries.
You'll benefit from our strong connections with industry and public sector employers. You'll learn from seasoned professionals who bring real-world insights into the classroom. Additionally, we regularly host guest speakers, giving you direct exposure to current industry trends and practices.
This is a highly practical course with no exams. We focus instead on realistic professional assessments which prepare you for a fascinating career.
We work to actively help you find summer internships and placements. These experiences provide invaluable insights and practical skills, setting you up for success in your chosen field.
In today's professional landscape, communication skills are paramount. At BNU, we prioritize the development of these skills.

What will I study?
This three-year degree is designed to allow you the freedom to build, specialise and apply learning to your own specific interests and career plans. In the first year, you will study a series of core modules to build knowledge that the rest of the course is built on.

In the second year, you'll develop technical skills with modules such as Structured Analytical Techniques and Research Methods. Specialization options include Intelligence and Security, Corporate Security, Terrorism, and a work placement module.

In the final year, you'll apply your knowledge, skills, and behaviours through the completion of a personal extended project on a topic of your choice. As well as going on a series of visits to relevant organisations to see how your expertise can be applied in the workplace.

This course is also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

Year one
Core
Intelligence Concepts and Practice
Security Operations and Management
Organisational Resilience
Structured Analytical Techniques
Academic and Professional Development

Year two
Core
Global Intelligence, Security and Resilience
Advanced Structured Analytical Techniques
Research methods

Optional
Terrorism and Counter Terrorism
Technology and Security
Intelligence Security and Resilience Work Placement
Organisational Resilience Challenges: Preparation and Recovery
Corporate Intelligence and Security
Local Resilience Project

Year three
Core
Extended Independent Work
Real World Application of Intelligence Security and Resilience

Optional
Strategic Intelligence
Operational Leadership
Global Resilience
Risk Management
Corporate Security Challenges
Aviation Security

You will generally study two modules per term, building up a good knowledge of the core subjects before being supported to apply this knowledge to more advanced real-world analysis as the course progresses.

At the core of each module will be regular seminars led by a member of the programme team. Guest lectures from target employers will feature in most modules.

You will be given considerable flexibility in your choice of assessment topics in order to support the development of your own individual areas of interest. As the programme develops, you’ll be assessed through group activities, (professional) report-writing, some essays, formal presentations, side-by-side briefs, technical skills demonstrations and reflective portfolios. In the final year, you will undertake an extended individual project (dissertation) on a topic of your choice.