Never before in history have the issues of what causes terrorism, how to combat it, and how to assess and manage the risks associated with it, attracted such wide international attention and controversy. The need for accessible, comprehensive and reliable research and education on terrorism and counterterrorism remains profound. This new MSc addresses those needs drawing on Cranfield’s expert staff and unique facilities to offer students an exceptional and cutting edge programme in this critical area. 

Overview

  • Start dateOctober
  • Duration Full-time: MSc 11 months, PgDip and PgCert one year; Part-time: MSc three years, PgDip and PgCert two years
  • DeliveryBy written and practical examinations, continuous assessment, project presentation and oral exam
  • QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
  • Study typeFull-time / Part-time
  • CampusCranfield campus

Course details

In this section
Overview
Delivery
Teaching team


Course delivery

By written and practical examinations, continuous assessment, project presentation and oral exam

Modules

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.


Compulsory modules

All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course:

Introductory Studies

Applied Counterterrorism

Strategies, Ideologies and Tactics of Terrorism

Understanding Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Research Project

Elective modules

A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course:

Analytical Techniques

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism (CBRN)

Counterterrorism and Intelligence

Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Capability

Courtroom Skills

Cyberterrorism

Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution

Firearms Investigations

Fires, Explosions and their Investigation

Forensic Ballistic Investigations

Forensic Exploitation and Intelligence

Introduction to Firearms Investigations and Forensic Ballistics

Investigation and Evidence Collection

Protecting Critical National Infrastructure

Reasoning for Forensic Science

Risk, Crisis and Resilience

Terrorism Risk Management and Mitigation

Terrorism and the Law

Teaching team

You will be taught by Cranfield's leading experts with capability expertise, industry knowledge and collective subject research, as well as external speakers from industry and defence. The Student Academic Support lead for the MSc in Counterterrorism is Michelle Parcell and the Course Director is Dr Anastasia Filippidou. The teaching team includes:

Andrew Silke

Professor Andrew Silke

Professor of Terrorism, Risk and Resilience

Professor Andrew Shortland

Professor of Archaeological Science
David Lane

Professor David Lane

Professor of Applied Physics
Peter Zioupos

Professor Peter Zioupos

Professor of Forensic Biomechanics

Dr Anastasia Filippidou

Lecturer in Terrorism, Intelligence and Conflict Resolution
Dennis Braekmans

Dr Dennis Braekmans

Senior Lecturer in Archaeological Materials Science

Dr Fiona Brock

Lecturer in Applied Analytical Techniques
Hannah Moore

Dr Hannah Moore

Lecturer in Cranfield Forensic Institute

Dr Nathalie Mai

Research Fellow
Sarah Morris

Dr Sarah Morris

Senior Lecturer
Stephen Johnson

Mr Stephen Johnson

Lecturer in Forensic Exploitation and Intelligence
Edith Wilkinson

Dr Edith Wilkinson

Senior Research Fellow

Mr Michael Harris

Lecturer in Cranfield Forensic Institute

Your career

We have entered an era where society faces critical issues in relation to terrorism and the fight against terrorism. The MSc Counterterrorism provides a rigorous, evidence-based qualification which will assist graduates to start careers in a wide variety of fields, including those related to security, policing, military, government policy, and international work. Beyond this, the MSc will help assist the careers of graduates who are already working in these and related fields.