Security, Intelligence and Investigative Practice

In a fast-changing world, navigating complex security challenges without specialised skills poses a significant risk, leaving individuals and organisations vulnerable to potential threats.

Dive into our industry-relevant curriculum, offering dynamic hands-on learning. From mock interviews and surveillance exercises to refining your communication and investigation techniques, you will acquire the skills to strategically solve problems whilst gaining a global perspective.

You will receive personalised support from our expert academics with a wealth of real-world experience. Drawing from first-hand encounters in the field, they infuse their passion for security and justice into both their research and teaching, ensuring you gain invaluable insights directly applicable to your future career.

Benefit from Cumbria’s robust selection of industry connections, from local firms to global enterprises. Use the connections to grow your network and find opportunities for placements and rewarding job prospects that align with your career aspirations.

Course Overview
This programme takes a hands-on approach to learning, with practical sessions on CCTV analysis, real-world investigative software, and advanced interview techniques.

While intelligence work is often associated with law enforcement and the military, contemporary investigative skills are just as vital in the commercial sector.

Perceptions of investigative practice in popular culture—whether it’s Sherlock Holmes’ deductive genius or the high-stakes drama of Line of Duty—can paint an unrealistic picture. This course offers a grounded perspective, delivered by experienced practitioners and academics, giving you an authentic insight into real-world investigative work.

A core skill in any investigative role is the ability to identify gaps in knowledge and uncover the truth, whether in criminal investigations or fields where critical questions need answers. From intelligence analysis to protective services, from the public sector to private business, the techniques taught on this course are highly transferable and widely sought after.

On this course you will:

• Gain a professional and ethical understanding of how to recognise and manage security risks in a variety of environments.

• Use experiential learning experiences to recognise intelligence gathering opportunities, access material and data in a legal and ethical manner.

• Learn to analyse threat and design solutions needed to minimise them, using real world scenarios, and getting hands-on experience.

• Explore investigative techniques and develop a detective skill set that will kick-start your career in the industry.

• Be guided by expert academics, with a wealth of experience in the field.

What you will learn
You will identify the three threads (security, intelligence and investigative practice) this programme is built on. These three threads are interrelated and will help to further develop your understanding of the bigger picture of security, intelligence and investigative practice.

You will learn to use these threads to solve problems in a multivariable environment.

The modules build from introductory, enabling you to have a firm understanding through to a strategic international perspective in line with contemporary security, intelligence and investigative demands.