Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime (Dual Degree)

Overview

Terrorists and cybercriminals are a growing and constant menace to world security.

Learn how to fight this threat on the international stage as you study in the UK and Australia on this Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime dual degree.

You'll develop the skills, knowledge and tech know-how to help protect communities, businesses and government organisations from terrorism and cybercrime. In year 3, you'll experience how Australian authorities deal with these threats when you spend a year studying at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia.

Course highlights

• Graduate with 2 degrees – a BSc Cybercrime, Security and Intelligence from ECU alongside a BSc (Hons) Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime from the University of Portsmouth

• Study with academics whose research in areas such as incel culture and the security of smart devices are shaping the future of the sector

• Develop knowledge and skills that intelligence services employers value in specialist topics like intelligence analysis, physical security, online terrorism, cyberlaw and cybersecurity, international security, radicalisation and extremism

• Get practical experience in the computing labs at Portsmouth and ECU's Security Operations Centre (SOC) while you explore fields such as network security and digital forensics

• Learn from staff who have worked as intelligence analysts, investigators and police officers

• Enhance your career prospects by building a professional network in the UK and Australia during your course

Advantages of dual degrees
This course is a dual degree (also known as a double degree). When you complete the course successfully, you'll have 2 degrees:

• BSc (Hons) Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime from University of Portsmouth

• BSc Cybercrime, Security and Intelligence from Edith Cowan University

Dual degrees allow you to achieve 2 degrees in 3.5 or 4 years rather than 6 years. You'll benefit from a global education experience and the high-calibre teaching expertise, latest research and modern facilities at 2 universities. You'll also develop a more comprehensive knowledge of counter terrorism, intelligence and cybercrime than on a single degree and gain an understanding of different cultures, which helps you work more effectively with people from different backgrounds.

All of this helps you stand out in a competitive job market after you graduate.

Careers and opportunities
Terrorism and cybercrime are among the biggest threats to international security. In the 18 years from 2000 to 2018, it's estimated that terrorism has cost the world economy more than $800 billion and resulted in thousands of deaths. The economic cost of cybercrime is even higher, estimated at $1 trillion a year in 2020.

Graduates with the skills, knowledge and experience to identify and manage the threat posed by terrorists and cybercriminals are in high demand, in the UK and abroad.

What sectors can you work in with a Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime degree?

When you complete this course, you'll be prepared for a career in specialised cybercrime and counter terrorism units in police, government agencies and private organisations.

The international perspective and additional knowledge you gain at an overseas university should give you a distinct advantage when progressing your career after the course.

You could work in areas such as:

• counter terrorism

• crime prevention

• criminological research

• intelligence analysis

• digital investigations

• security consultancy

You could also work in the prison system or further your studies at postgraduate level.

Modules

Year 1 (at Portsmouth)
Core modules:

• Criminal Justice (20 credits)
• Cyberspace, Subcultures and Online Deviance (20 credits)
• Essential Skills for Criminologists (40 credits)
• Introduction to Digital Forensic Investigations (20 credits)
• Understanding Criminology (20 credits)

There are no optional modules in this year.

Year 2 (at Portsmouth)
Core modules:

• Cyberlaw Governance and Human Rights (20 credits)
• Online Activism, Cyberterrorism and Cyberwarfare (20 credits)
• Contemporary Terrorism and the Global Response (20 credits)
• Researching Criminology (20 credits)

Optional modules:

• Drugs and Society (20 credits)
• Forensic Linguistics: Language As Evidence (20 credits)
• Global Environmental Justice (20 credits)
• Hate Crime (20 credits)
• Modern Foreign Language (Institute-Wide Language Programme) - 20 credits
• Organised Crime (20 credits)
• Psychology and Security (20 credits)
• Questioning Criminology (20 credits)
• The Dark Web: Threats, Freedoms and Responses (20 credits)
• Underworlds: Crime, Deviance & Punishment in Britain, 1500-1900 (20 credits)
• Victims of Crime: Key Players in Criminal Justice (20 credits)
• Youth Crime, Youth Justice (20 credits)
• Crimes of the Powerful (20 credits)
• Cybercrime Clinic (20 credits)
• Fundamentals of Forensic Investigation (20 credits)
• Global Security (20 credits)
• Penology and Prison (20 credits)
• Policing and Society (20 credits)
• Principles of Economic Crime Investigation (20 credits)
• Professional Experience L5 (20 credits)
• Wildlife Crime: Threats and Response (20 credits)

Year 3 (at Edith Cowan University)
Core modules:

• Applied Intelligence (Ecu) (15 credits)
• Counter Intelligence (Ecu) (15 credits)
• Counterterrorism (Ecu) (15 credits)
• Intelligence Analysis (Ecu) (15 credits)
• Intelligence Foundations (Ecu) (15 credits)
• Physical Security (Ecu) (15 credits)
• Radicalism & Political Extremism (Ecu) (15 credits)
• Terrorism & International Security (Ecu) (15 credits)

There are no optional modules in this year.

Year 4 (at Portsmouth – 6 months)

• Cybersecurity: Theory and Practice (20 credits)
• Dissertation / Major Project (40 credits)

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

You'll be assessed through:

Reports
Essays
Annotated bibliographies
Case study work
Project plans
Presentations
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.