Overview
Unlock the World of Intelligence with Brunel's Unique MA Programme
Dive into the only MA in Intelligence that's designed not just to teach you about intelligence, but to prepare you for an impactful career in the field. At Brunel, our MA in Intelligence and Security Studies (MAISS) stands apart by offering a practical course grounded in both social science and historical methods.
Why Choose MAISS?
- Flexible study modes: our course is offered in either “on-campus” and “distance learning” modes. The on-campus mode can be taken full or part-time. The distance learning mode is part-time, and includes one “residential week” each spring where the cohort will come to campus to complete their exercises and assessments together. These options allow you to study according to your requirements.
- Interdisciplinary Learning: Our programme uniquely blends social science, policy, and history to provide a rounded perspective on intelligence.
- Practical, Hands-On Training: Engage in immersive simulations, receive certification in industry tools, and participate in the Brunel Analytic Simulated Exercise (BASE) which provides real-world briefing experience before a panel of experts.
- Expert-Led Teaching: Learn from a dynamic mix of seasoned practitioners and renowned academics, ensuring your education is grounded in both theory and real-world application.
- Exclusive, Cohesive Curriculum: Experience a "garden-wall" designed programme where every module is crafted to build on each other. Offering a unique, cohesive learning journey, with specialist electives, focused on in-depth study.
What Sets Us Apart?
Our course is not just a history or politics degree. It's a policy-oriented programme that arms you with the practical skills sought by employers. Your learning and assessment are designed to provide you the tools and experiences you need to excel in the intelligence community, whether you’re on campus or distance learning.
You will also be trained in Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) collection methods, for which you will receive a separate certificate. This is currently provided by Prevail Partners.
Connect and Network
Benefit from our extensive speaker series, bringing experts from government and the private sector right to your classroom. MAISS also boasts a vibrant community of peers and an expansive alumni network to build lasting professional connections.
Our alumni are employed in the public sector, and private firms such as Securitas, Merck, Formula One, Pinkertons, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin. Our graduates have also founded and joined smaller start-up intelligence companies such as Grey Dynamics and b4 Secure.
"At an Open Day, I met some superb minds who encouraged me to come to Brunel. I felt comfortable, even though I would be more than 40 years older than most new students" - Dr John Matlin .
"At an Open Day, I met some superb minds who encouraged me to come to Brunel. I felt comfortable, even though I would be more than 40 years older than most new students" - Dr John Matlin .
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Course content
Intelligence and Securities Studies MA is structured around a core of compulsory modules and one optional choice, plus a dissertation in a subject of your choice.
This course can be studied 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, starting in September. Either on campus or distance learning.
Compulsory
- Intelligence and Security Studies Dissertation
You will write a fifteen-thousand-word research dissertation on a topic of your choosing (relevant to the study of intelligence). Topics have included intelligence history, open-source techniques, counterintelligence problems, counter-poaching, oversight and accountability, legislation, and beyond.
- Intelligence History: Failure and Success
In this module, you will examine a range of historical intelligence case studies from around the world. Through these case studies, you will explore the development of the profession, and understand the causes of success failure and lessons that can be learned. This class also links the practices of qualitative research and intelligence analysis.
- Contemporary Threats and Analytical Methodology
This module introduces the role of intelligence officers in assessing and countering threats to national security in the 21st century, with a strong focus on skills development. You will learn about drafting analysis and the use of structured analytical tools. The second term provides a hands-on understanding of the methods and challenges of strategic intelligence assessment and collaborative joint analysis.
- Intelligence Concepts, Issues and Institutions
This module covers the foundations of intelligence concepts, the processes and systems of national intelligence, and the organisations which perform them. Topics include: clandestine collection disciplines, the institutional structures and organisational analysis of intelligence agencies and communities, and a detailed comparison of national intelligence systems, political accountability, and intelligence ethics.
Optional
- Counterintelligence and Security
This module provides an understanding of the counterintelligence and security institutions and processes. By the end of the course you will understand the relationship between counterintelligence and national security policy, decision‐making and executive (law enforcement) functions. You will examine key aspects organisational and conceptual problems of counterintelligence through differing academic disciplines including history, political studies, and organisation theory.
- Intelligence Analysis Foundations, Methods and Applications
This module provides introduction into intelligence analysis as a profession, exploring the institutions that produce intelligence analysis, and the relationship between the intelligence analysts and their customers. The class then covers the myriad complexities of intelligence analysis, including issues of warning, denial and deception, the impact of the biases that cloud our judgement, and how to mitigate them.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Eighty percent of our graduates secure highly-skilled jobs in the private and public sector within 18 months of graduation. Most of our students pursue careers in the private intelligence and security sector or careers in analytical functions for banking, resources and risk industries. Those already in government employment find the course supports their promotion, commissions or provides new employment opportunities post-retirement. Many of our graduates find employment in successful firms founded by our alumni through our networking opportunities. We also work with industry organisations to provide a range of internship opportunities that students can apply for throughout the course.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:1 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, with an understanding of the realities of academic intelligence and security study and the frameworks within which intelligence and security operations work.
- All applicants must submit the following documents when they apply : an up to date transcript; 1 academic reference; an up to date CV; a focused personal statement showing interest and understanding of the course.
- Applicants with other qualifications or with relevant work related experience will be considered on an individual basis.
- Applicants will be interviewed by telephone or in person. As such, applicants should ensure their English skills are strong enough so they can take part in an interview independently.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
UK
£13,280 full-time
£6,640 part-time
£8,090 distance learning
International
£28,350 full-time
£14,175 part-time
£13,845 distance learning
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Modules assessments are tailored to hone not only to academic skills, but also skills needed for gainful employment in the industry. Assessments include: research essays, oral presentations, written and verbal briefings, and a wargame modelled on a historic crisis scenario.
The capstone assessment of the programme is BASE, Brunel’s annual exercise modelled on the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC). After studying structured analytic techniques, you will be broken into small teams and presented with a question about an emerging real-world problem. Past questions have covered Russia and Ukraine, China and Taiwan, Election Interference, illicit trade, etc. As a team, you will research and analyse the problem for several weeks, and present your findings to a guest panel of current and former intelligence professionals, playing the role of the Joint Intelligence Committee. You are assessed on your contribution to the process, the quality of your briefing paper, and your after-action report.
In-person, full time: (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
In-person, part time: (Tuesdays during first year 1, Thursdays during second year)
Distance learning (asynchronous, part time, two years). Distance learners come together in person for one “Residential Week”, usually at the end of term 2.
Our dynamic teaching team is comprised of multi-disciplinary and multi-lingual scholars, whose expertise covers matters from cutting-edge analytical techniques to scholarship on intelligence, the state, and society across a range of regions. Our team is a blend of forward-thinking scholars and practitioners, who frequently consult with government and the private sector.
Your teaching team are also members of the Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS). BCISS is comprised of experts produces important original research that is published worldwide and contributes to the success of government and business in the UK. Our staff has also been called upon to provide training or input for decision makers around the world.
Assessment and feedback
Students are assessed on a mixture of individual and group work. To complete your MA, you will undertake a substantial piece of written research in a topic of your choice under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
