5% early application discount

Apply by 28 March 2024 and you could be eligible for a 5% discount on your tuition fees.

Find out more



This course is aimed at those working within the defence and security sector who are looking to expand their knowledge in defence export and its related key aspects, such as strategic trade controls, compliance, offset and negotiation. The Defence and Security Export PgCert can be obtained in one year, but also benefits from a two-year registration period, thus allowing flexibility for busy professionals.

Overview

  • Start dateJanuary
  • DurationTwo-year registration period
  • DeliveryEach module, including the independent research project, will be assessed. The residential modules will help to prepare you for the assessments but you will be expected to conduct private study in order to complete the assessments.
  • QualificationPgCert
  • Study typePart-time
  • CampusCranfield campus

Who is it for?

This PgCert has been designed for professionals either working in or seeking to move into the sales and marketing arena of defence, security and aerospace organisations.

This programme is intended for the following range of students:

  • Existing sales, marketing and export control employees in defence, aerospace and security industrial companies;
  • Armed forces personnel aiming to equip themselves with relevant commercial defence and security expertise, reflected via a respected university postgraduate qualification to enhance career prospects in MoD staff postings and post-service commercial appointments;
  • Civil service personnel working in export-driven government departments, such as the MoD, UKTI and BEIS.

Why this course?

Graduates achieve a high level of understanding and detailed knowledge by:

  • Focusing on marketing, but skills such as negotiations, offsets and trade compliance will prove attractive to employers seeking personnel in wider managerial fields, including contracts, commercial management as well strategic management;
  • Offering tuition and training specifically geared towards defence and security trade control and compliance, representing essential knowledge for those working in this area of endeavour.

Course details

In this section

The course is made up of five core modules and one independent research project. The accumulation of 60 credits (or more) is made through the assessments of taught modules and the independent research project.

Course delivery

Each module, including the independent research project, will be assessed. The residential modules will help to prepare you for the assessments but you will be expected to conduct private study in order to complete the assessments.

Individual project

Students should choose a contemporary defence and security marketing related topic of professional significance. This topic may be conducted as a mini-consultancy project within the student’s company. Any project will have to be agreed with the student's supervisor and sponsor, where relevant.

100% of the marks are awarded on the final submission of a 4,000-word research project.

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.


Teaching team

The Student Academic Support lead for our Defence and Security Export PgCert is Scott Winskill and the Course Director is Professor Ron Matthews. You will be taught by Cranfield's leading experts with capability expertise, industry knowledge and collective subject research, including:

Your career

The programme is designed for professionals either working in or seeking to move into the sales and marketing arena of defence, security and aerospace organisations. It will help you to progress your career in the field by:

  • Focusing on marketing, but skills such as negotiations, offsets and trade compliance will prove attractive to employers seeking personnel in wider managerial fields, including contracts, commercial management as well strategic management;
  • Offering tuition and training specifically geared towards defence and security trade control and compliance, representing essential knowledge for those working in this area of endeavour.

This programme will enhance your prospects when applying for positions within organisations that deal with defence marketing and exports as the in-depth academic and practical knowledge gained will be evident to your prospective employer.

It also opens up opportunities outside your chosen programme of study as it demonstrates both your ability to learn and your intellectual capacity.

To support your career goals Cranfield provides opportunities for you to network with fellow professionals, leading figures from industry and academic experts. Find out more about the Cranfield Network and the services we provide whilst you're here and for the rest of your career.

How to apply

Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.

See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.