Countering Terrorism & Extremism

CCCU is 2nd in the UK for graduate employment
Among 111 UK higher education institutions with 3,000+ graduates (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2026).

Study Countering Terrorism and Extremism to develop a contextual and critical outlook on polarising issues surrounding terrorism and extremism. Analyse highly publicised cases, delve into the aspects of security and threat that the media does not talk about, and gain applied skills in tackling the issues.

After the tragic events of 9/11 in the USA, the world entered what many see to be a new era in how we understand, perceive and react to terrorism and extremism. To understand the current strategies in tackling these phenomena, the course interrogates topics surrounding their history, inherent complexities, power imbalances, inequality, identity, community, conflict, risk, ethics, politics, policies, international relations, or policing powers.

This four-year degree includes a built-in foundation year. This will provide you with a supportive gateway to higher education if you don’t quite meet the entry requirements for the undergraduate degree or would like to develop the academic study skills you will need before beginning a degree course. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will move on to your chosen undergraduate degree and will graduate with a full undergraduate degree at the end of the course.

Uniquely, this course has an applied perspective at its core, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is balanced with an active understanding of real-life tactics to counter terrorism and extremism. The course has also been developed with industry needs in mind. You will learn through simulated exercises (e.g. Hydra Suite), working on real cases, applied assessments to enrich transferrable skills, and through knowledge of a highly experienced teaching team. Input from current and previous professionals working in the terrorism and extremism areas adds yet more chances to learn from experts.

The course builds on CCCU’s extensive policing education experience and courses relevant to countering terrorism and extremism delivered at the University in the last decade. You will be encouraged to debate, critique and question concepts and theories in an inclusive and collaborative environment. Knowledge sharing events are continuously developed, and you will learn in a way that takes advantage of the fast-changing landscape of terrorism and extremism.

At CCCU we have a wide range of practical expertise, and so the course provides an opportunity to learn from other perspectives, which is key to understanding and responding to terrorism and extremism. The intersection between policing, sociology, criminology, politics, as well as forensic investigation or law enables you to study a diverse range of modules. These will provide you with a distinctive learning experience directly relevant to future careers in the criminal justice and private security sectors. These include security, intelligence, media, policing, research, politics, or specialist counter terrorism units/departments.

For a list of core and likely optional modules, please visit our website.