PGCert Defence and Security

Lancaster University is a centre for world-leading research on defence and security issues. Our expertise is sought by UK decision makers, policy advisors and commentators. This Postgraduate Certificate equips you to comprehend, analyse and address today’s defence and security challenges, preparing you to pursue or develop a career in government or the defence industry, think tanks and policy making, journalism or the armed forces.

Why Lancaster?

• Lancaster stands at the heart of the UK's national defence and security ecosystem, embedded in a network of research, government and industry organisations
• Lancaster’s Centre for War and Diplomacy and our Security Lancaster Institute are hubs of excellence - our experts and visiting professionals provide insights via a wide-ranging events programme
• Combine insights from across academic disciplines, from the historical and cultural contexts of global regions to emerging cyber and military technologies, linguistic analysis, conflict ethics and international and humanitarian law
• Build expertise in global defence and security, including insights into the African nations, USA, China and Russia
• Study a programme co-designed with UK Government and defence sector partners
• Study in a flexible format alongside full- or part-time work
  
  

Work with experts

Lancaster University is a centre for world-leading research and sought-after expertise on defence and security issues in a range of disciplines, from Cyber Security to History, International Relations, Languages and Cultures, Law, Linguistics, Politics, and Security Studies.

We work closely with the defence sector, from consulting on UK government defence planning to membership of the GCHQ North West Partnership for Security and Trust.

We have a close partnership with the National Cyber Force which unites personnel from intelligence, GCHQ, the MoD, the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

Our qualifications are designed to support and progress careers in industry, government, intelligence, think tanks, policy making, journalism and the armed forces.

Sophisticated tools and insights

The defence and security challenges facing our world are extensive and complex. This MA enables you to build expertise in world regions and actors – such as the USA, China and Russia - and security in Africa, the Indo Pacific and Transatlantic areas. You will combine insights from global cultures, history and linguistic analysis, and assess UK defence and security policy in a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Appraise the workings of diplomacy, intelligence and ‘grey zone’ warfare through international relations and international law and engage with the philosophy and ethics of war and espionage. Assess the impact of new technologies on warfare by combining cyber conflict and security studies with historical perspectives.

Flexible format

This part-time Postgraduate Certificate is designed so that you can study alongside work and other commitments. It offers a combination of online learning and intensive in-person sessions at Lancaster University.

We offer a suite of postgraduate level awards in Defence and Security:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Defence and Security (60 credits)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Defence and Security (120 credits)
• Masters in Defence and Security (180 credits)

You can choose to take any one of the three programmes as a stand-alone qualification, depending on the level of qualification and commitment that is right for you.

You also have the option to build your qualifications incrementally on a timeframe that suits you. Begin with the Postgraduate Certificate and, when you are ready, carry forward your credits to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma or the Masters. Alternatively begin with the Postgraduate Diploma and progress to the Masters.

Please contact pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk for further information.