MSc, PGDip, PGCert in Sicherheits- und Risikomanagement, per Fernstudium

This is for you if... you have, or aspire to have, responsibility for crime prevention, risk and security within your organisation.

The increasing professionalisation of the security industry has meant that both existing security professionals and those seeking entry into the profession view a postgraduate degree as essential to their career ambitions. The course will not only enable you to develop your academic knowledge of crime, risk and security management, but it will also strengthen your professional skills and abilities.

This distance learning degree will provide you with a thorough knowledge of security and crime risk analysis and management. You will develop an understanding of a range of theoretical models that explain why and how people commit crimes, how to analyse and assess risk, and how to manage security.

You will gain a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of security and risk management. The course will equip you with the skills to engage in informed debate about major issues in security and risk management and to design, conduct and critically appraise research and develop new approaches to problem-solving which can be applied in practice.

You will also benefit from regular supported learning events – including an online Induction, an introduction to academic skills, and real-time webinars with your Personal Tutor. You will also be invited to attend two online Study Schools, delivered by academics from the School of Criminology and wider University, that will allow you to develop your study skills and ability to conduct research. Study schools are held during Module 1 - Exploring and Understanding Risk and Security, and again at the start of your dissertation. Attendance is encouraged but optional and there is no additional cost involved.

The course will be of immense professional value if you are working within a security context, either in the private or public sector and want to further your career. Our MSc will support your professional work experience with an academic qualification which will enhance your CV and be used as evidence to demonstrate to your current or potential employer your skills and abilities.

Our links to the security industry – free Security Institute Membership

Our Department has long-establishment links to the security industry. We offer free membership to The Security Institute to all our distance learning students for the duration of their studies. The Security Institute is the UK's largest membership body for security professionals and there are several benefits of membership including access to the Security Institute Mentoring Programme, the opportunity to participate in the Security Institute CPD Scheme and access to the Research Directorate Knowledge Centre.

Why Leicester?

• Criminology at Leicester has established itself as a thriving and internationally-renowned environment. We are one of the very few universities in the country to have its own area exclusively dedicated to researching and teaching criminology.
• Our students benefit from learning in an environment exclusively dedicated to researching and teaching criminology, which is home to some of the UK’s leading criminologists.
• Our teaching is inspired by the findings from our cutting-edge research. Lecturing staff have a wide array of research interests ranging from community policing and offending behaviour to hate crime.
• We are regularly called on by local, national and international private, public and non-governmental organisations to assist with policy development, and by journalists needing information and advice on crime issues.

Teaching and learning

All of your course material will be available online through the University of Leicester’s Virtual Learning Environment: Blackboard. As such you will need to have regular internet access. There are no real-time lectures so you can access your course material at any time from anywhere in the world.

Ongoing support is provided by a team of dedicated academics and distance learning support staff. When you register with us, you will be assigned a Personal Tutor who is an academic within the School of Criminology. Your Personal Tutor can help you address assignments, reflect on your feedback and discuss any aspects of your study either by phone, MS Teams or email.

All course assessments will be submitted online via Blackboard, which will also enable you to exchange information and discuss topics with your fellow students and staff, as well as give access to the University’s impressive and extensive e-library. You will also benefit from online Study School events at the start of your studies and again as you begin your dissertation.

Your initial Study School will focus on introducing you to your programme of study and developing the key academic skills you need to succeed at University. During the two-day event, you'll be able to take part in a series of workshops addressing aspects such as essay writing, critical analysis and referencing.

Your second Study School will focus more on the skills you need to carry out dissertation research and will concentrate on topics such as designing ethical research, collecting and analysing different types of data, and using the University library services. Both events offer you an opportunity to interact with different members of the academic staff and to discuss any individual study issues or queries.

Attendance is not a requirement of the course and materials presented at the Study School are made available via Blackboard. Student feedback has shown us that the event is rewarding, enriching and a useful supplement to online study.

Having delivered distance learning for over 35 years at the University of Leicester, we are aware of the specific challenges and benefits of studying at a distance and tailor our support to meet these needs.

The MSc Security and Risk Management is based on continuous assessment, with each of the modules comprising up to three assessments. The assessments range from formal essays to preparing poster presentations and reflective journal exercises. The final stage towards your MSc degree is the completion of a dissertation.

Powered by world-class research, the University of Leicester delivers research-inspired education across the Sciences, Humanities, Law, Medicine, the Arts and Business, with staff and students collaborating to create, share and apply knowledge to change the world. It is a world-leading, diverse and inclusive university based in the UK’s most multicultural city.

Whether you choose to study full-time on campus, or part-time via distance learning, through your studies and independent research you will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge to pursue your passion and enhance your career options.

The University of Leicester is a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2023) and is proud to be one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. Our research changes the way we think about the past, present and future. As a discovery-led University, we are elite in the excellence of our research, as well as being focused on innovation. Research underpins all of our taught postgraduate courses so you can be sure that the knowledge you’re learning, and skills you’re developing, are at the forefront of available knowledge.

Why Leicester

The University of Leicester is a leading research and teaching university with more than 30 years of experience offering high-quality distance learning courses. Over 25,000 Citizens of Change have graduated from our distance learning courses. We invite you to be the next one.

Unlike some distance learning providers, our distance learning courses are taught by the same academic staff who teach our undergraduates and postgraduates on campus. You are assured of a real university education and a real university qualification.

Each of our distance learning courses is tailored to the subject, level and requirements of our students. Some courses even include residential visits or workshops.

Supporting our students

As a Leicester distance learning student, you have full access to the same student support services as our on-campus students. This includes the Students’ Union which has a dedicated Distance Learning Officer who makes sure that your views and needs are considered in Union affairs. The Distance Learning Officer is elected each year – maybe you could be the next one?

Library

You will have access to the Library’s comprehensive online catalogue containing thousands of electronic journals and over 350,000 books. This includes the Leicester Research Archive, a digital collection of research papers and theses from members of the University.

As a Leicester student, you will be able to access the online catalogue and download these resources free of charge - wherever you are in the world. You are, of course, welcome to come onto campus and use our Library facilities at any time.

Career Development Service

For most distance-learning students, career advancement is a prime motivating factor. Our Career Development Service will offer you guidance and support throughout your studies – and beyond. The Career Development Service offers:

• Online tools and individually tailored advice to help you extend and develop your academic skills
• Employability programmes and awards including the online version of our Leicester Award
• A wide selection of one-to-one careers consultations, workshops and webinars covering interview and assessment centre skills, psychometric testing and CVs, covering letters and application forms
• Links with employers to discover the career paths that are open to you

Graduation – and beyond

As a distance learning student, you are welcome to campus at any time. We would love to meet you in person, though obviously, this is dependent on where you live. It is particularly gratifying when distance learning students are able to visit campus to take part in our graduation ceremonies, celebrating their academic achievement in the best way possible.

As part of our global alumni family, you can maintain links with the University through our Alumni Association, which has chapters around the world.