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Countering Extremist Crime and Terrorism MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This MSc has been designed by a panel of academic departments, industrial partners and law enforcement and security agencies. Its aim is to introduce students to the fundamental knowledge, expertise and evidence-driven tools required to understand, analyse, prevent, disrupt and detect extremist crime and terrorism. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£17,300
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally, a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (i.e., psychology, criminology, policing, international relations, security studies, law, geography, sociology, political science) from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Evidence of having completed modules in research methods, quantitative/qualitative methods, statistics or data science is an advantage. Alternatively candidates may qualify for entry if they can offer five or more years of relevant professional experience.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Over the course of this programme, students will develop an understanding of multiple scientific disciplines and practical approaches that contribute to tackling terrorism and extremist crime.

By the end of the programme, they will be able to apply scientific principles and methods to security problems, think strategically to develop and implement countermeasures, as well as appreciate the complexity involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of threat-reduction technologies.

Who this course is for

The programme is aimed at security professionals whose role involves developing and implementing strategies to address the threat of extremism against public, corporate and critical targets. It is also suitable for students with a relevant disciplinary background wishing to pursue a career in these areas.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required. Relevant disciplines include psychology, criminology, policing, international relations, security studies, law, geography, sociology, political science.

Alternatively, candidates may qualify for entry if they can demonstrate five or more years of relevant professional experience (e.g. in the police service, intelligence analysis, non-governmental organisations involved in countering or preventing violent extremism).

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The UCL Jill Dando Institute is the first research institution in the world devoted to reducing crime through teaching, research, public policy analysis and the dissemination of evidence-based information on crime reduction.

This MSc programme is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners working in counter-terrorism, intelligence, law enforcement, risk assessment and security technology. 

It boasts a unique multidisciplinary platform, and is the only postgraduate programme of its kind in the world that integrates cutting-edge insights from the social and engineering sciences in the security domain.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This unique programme equips students with the knowledge to develop strategies and interventions to counter terrorism and extremist crime. The MSc combines the problem-led study of terrorism and extremism more broadly, with exposure to methodologies that can be applied practically to tackle these problems.

Employability

This MSc holds appeal for employers across a broad range of industries, including the public, private, and non-profit sector. Many of the analytical techniques and the theoretical principles expounded on during the course are transferable to other domains of inquiry. 

The structure and processes of our programme are also designed to allow professionals to combine learning on the MSc with a demanding day job. 
 

Networking

The programme offers an array of networking opportunities such as careers events, seminars, and the annual departmental conference. These opportunities  aim to enrich students’ academic experience and professional growth.

These events provide also a platform for students to connect with crime science practitioners and researchers across academia, government and industry, offering a chance to learn from their expertise and establish valuable contacts.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, projects and laboratory classes.

A wide range of assessment methods are applied, including unseen examinations, coursework, practical assignments andoral presentations. There will also be a research project and dissertation.

Each taught module consists of 150 hours of content, which is delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and self-directed study. A full-time student can expect to have around 15-20 hours of contact time per week during terms one and two, which does not include self-directed study and time spent preparing for assessments.

Modules

This programme is undertaken for one-year full time, during which you will take four compulsory modules, four optional modules, and a dissertation. Availability of external optional modules is dependent on the home department. Optional modules are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Modules will be taught in terms one and two. Work on the dissertation will commence in term two and will be completed over the summer term (term three). 

A Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) is also offered, comprising of four compulsory and four optional modules. The PG Dip does not include a dissertation. 

This programme can be taken for up to five years, during which you will undertake four compulsory modules, four optional modules, and a dissertation. 

Modular-flexible students should take the Foundations of Security and Crime Science module first and their dissertation as their final module. The dissertation cannot be completed during the first year of registration. However, other modules in the diet can be taken in any configuration over up to five years.

Availability of external optional modules is dependent on the home department. Optional modules are allocated on a first come first, served basis.

A Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) is also offered, comprising of four compulsory and four optional modules. The PG Dip does not include a dissertation. 

Compulsory modules







Optional modules


















Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Countering Extremist Crime and Terrorism.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Security and Crime Science MSc

Join our open event series to learn more about our MSc courses, future career opportunities and what it's like to be part of our fantastic community. There are also questions for our programme convenors, admission tutors and current students.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £17,300
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs associated with this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

UCL Security & Crime Science is offering a number of scholarships of up to £10,000 to outstanding applicants who have been offered places on one of our MSc programmes.

For further information, please visit our departmental website.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

You will need to complete our application, making sure to address the below points in your personal statement.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • what particularly attracts you to this particular programme
  • why you want to study this subject in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences at UCL, rather than elsewhere
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • if you are aware and comfortable with the fact that the programme includes courses on statistics and quantitative analysis, as well as a general emphasis on the scientific method and empirical research
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

It is important to note that statistical analysis of crime data is an integral part of all of our postgraduate programmes. Whilst we do not require students to have a background in mathematics or statistics, it is vital to show an understanding and willingness to learn the concepts of statistics and quantitative research methods.  

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Security and Crime Science
Security and Crime Science

scs-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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