Cyber Crime and Terrorism, MA

Discover Swansea at our next Open Day

Book your place today
MA cyber

Course Overview

Cyber crime and terrorism are among the biggest threats facing society, and are key priorities for government at all levels. This MA will give you an in-depth understanding of the constantly changing nature of online crimes, terrorism and criminal behaviour, opening up a range of exciting career opportunities.

Learning from industry experts, with a wealth of academic and practical experience, you will gain knowledge of the threats, trends, issues and responses in terrorism and cybersecurity, as well as the crucial ethical questions.

Our cyber crime and terrorism programme will equip you to confront transnational threats that undermine security, governance and human rights. By critically analysing cyber-enabled crime, extremism and digital vulnerabilities, you can develop advanced skills to contribute to global resilience, policy innovation and ethical strategies that address complex international security issues.

Why Cyber Crime and Terrorism at Swansea?

This programme brings together expertise from criminology, legal studies and political science, allowing you to build interdisciplinary knowledge.

As a postgraduate student in the Department of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy, you will be part of a thriving academic environment that is committed to excellence in teaching and research, while offering an exceptional student experience.

This MA is unique as it gives you the opportunity to:

  • Engage directly with project work, and with stakeholders, who can provide insights and cutting-edge knowledge of cyber crime and terrorism
  • Build strong relationships with national and international partners, including policymakers, government and industrial security practitioners, military organisations and communities

You will also be joining a department that has a strong reputation for research – as 83.3% of our research produces considerable impact in terms of its reach and significance (REF 2021).

Your Cyber Crime and Terrorism MA experience

This programme consists of 180 credits of study, comprised of six 20-credit modules, and a 60-credit dissertation. This is structured into three modules in both the first and second semester, followed by the dissertation element.

The programme begins with modules that are focused on developing your understanding of criminological theory, as well as challenges, policy and practice within the criminal justice system. You will have the option to select your own modules based on your disciplinary interests or career aspirations, with themes of study including propaganda and radicalisation, drugs, alcohol and criminal law, prisons, gendered harms, and countering violent extremism online.

In the summer semester, you will then undertake an independent research project. Most students complete a dissertation of 15,000 words on a unique topic of research, under the close guidance of an academic supervisor. A small number of students also embark on a research project, which includes one day per week spent on an internship with a partner institution, a report of 12,000 words based on the work undertaken, as well as a 2,000 word reflective portfolio.

Throughout both semesters, there is a guest lecture series, which supports your graduate skills. Industry partners are invited to give guest lectures on their work, and you will have the opportunity to network with the guest lecturer, who will often inform us when there are suitable vacancies open within their organisation.

Our guest lecturers include individuals from:

  • Government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Think Tanks, Law Enforcement and Technology companies

As part of this specialist degree, you will also benefit from accessing the expertise available in our research centres, including the Cyber Threats Research Centre (CYTREC), the VOX-Pol Network and the Legal Innovation Lab Wales.

The programme is also available part-time, completed over two years, with the following structure:

  • Year one - two 20-credit modules will be completed in semester one, and one module will be completed in semester two
  • Year two - one 20-credit module will be completed in semester one, and two modules will be completed in semester two, with a 60-credit dissertation to be completed across semesters two and three
  • Across both years you will also have access to the non-credit bearing guest lecture series

Cyber Crime and Terrorism MA employment opportunities

Employability skills and experience are embedded across the programme, to ensure you can enter the field as a competent professional.

To aid this, in the summer semester there is an option for you to undertake an internship with a partner organisation. The application process is highly competitive, but as a part of our commitment to employability, we ensure that every student is guaranteed at least one interview, and will receive feedback.

Successful applicants will complete an internship with a partner organisation (in recent years this has included the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, RUSI and Resolver), which will provide crucial hands-on experience of working in a research and practice environment.

Cyber crime and online terrorism are major priority areas for governments, and in the private sector. The knowledge you will gain from this degree can lead to potential careers in:

  • The Public Sector (government, civil service, political and policy advice)
  • The Private Sector (global, national or local business)
  • The Non-Governmental Sector
  • Research and Academia

Recent graduates have gone on to work with: UK police forces, the banking sector, think tanks such as RUSI, for-profit organisations such as Moonshot and ExTrac, and tech companies, including TikTok.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.