Course summary

In an increasingly interconnected, contested and complex world, international actors face a range of security challenges. These include inter-and intra-state conflict, international terrorism, cyber threats, nuclear proliferation, global health pandemics, transnational crime, population displacement, natural disasters, and climate change. The BSc in Strategy, Intelligence and Security Studies at Aberystwyth University will draw on ideas from strategic, intelligence and security studies to understand and analyse these challenges from different perspectives and explore innovative and holistic responses to them. Studying Strategy, Intelligence and Security studies will enable you to discover the following: analyse a multitude of threats, risks and challenges affecting the global, regional, national, societal and individual levels; explore the multi-faceted nature of global challenges by adopting strategic, intelligence and security perspectives; apply historical and theoretical insights to real-life case studies in order to understand the nature of contemporary strategic, intelligence and security challenges in international politics. During the duration of your course, will have the opportunity to participate in our renowned ‘Crisis Games’; a three-day role-playing exercise in political, economic and diplomatic manoeuvre, developing negotiation and communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The Department operates a prestigious Parliamentary Placement Scheme, enabling you to gain valuable experience working alongside an MP (House of Commons, Westminster) or an AM (Welsh Assembly, Cardiff) for a period of 4-6 weeks during the summer. During this time you will write reports and speeches, undertake research projects, and respond to constituency issues. There may be further opportunities for you to get involved in elections and various international issues. The Department also has an International Student Exchange Programme based on close links with carefully selected universities in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia, offering you an excellent opportunity to expand your academic and social horizons by spending a part of your university experience abroad. Intelligence Studies: modules on intelligence studies explore the complexities of how intelligence is gathered and assessed before it is disseminated to decision-makers, and you will examine how this process and its products influence responses to security threats. You will also get an opportunity to evaluate the importance of information, secrecy, and surveillance while considering the ethical, moral and legal implications that arise from engaging in intelligence activities through historical case studies. Strategic Studies: modules on strategic studies will enable you to situate intelligence dilemmas within the framework of the key strategic concepts that shape our understanding of war and peace. Through an examination of the nature and character of war, you will learn how various actors, technology, geography, and ideology bring about change or create continuity within the international system. Security Studies: modules on security studies will enable you to identify and understand the range of threats, risks and challenges to an international, national and individual security. A key feature of this scheme is the emphasis on innovative teaching approaches such as strategic gaming and role-plays. These innovative activities explore the process of decision-making and develop your analytical and problem-solving abilities.