Program Overview

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 in the Department of International Politics 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 at Aberystwyth University will provide the following opportunities:

• Analysing a multitude of threats, risks and challenges affecting the global, regional, national, societal and individual levels; exploring the multi-faceted nature of global challenges by adopting strategic, intelligence and security perspectives; applying historical and theoretical insights to real-life case studies to understand the nature of contemporary strategic, intelligence and security challenges in international politics
• Becoming a student in a department that is first of its kind in the world, and was established shortly after the first world war to strive for a safer and more just world order
• Participating in our renowned ‘Crisis Games’; a three-day role-playing exercise in political, economic and diplomatic manoeuvre, developing negotiation and communication, critical thinking, team work, and problem-solving skills
• Taking part in our 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 - writing reports and speeches, undertaking research projects, and responding to constituency issues, as well as getting involved in elections and various international issues
• Taking part in our 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
• Getting involved with Interstate, the oldest student-run international politics journal in the United Kingdom, providing a unique opportunity for you to publish your work (particularly advantageous if you wish to progress to postgraduate study) or gain valuable experience working as part of the editorial team
• Joining stimulating student societies that foster a strong sense of community within the department, offering a programme of political debates, visiting speakers, conferences and workshops, alongside numerous social activities such as an annual ball
• Studying the degree schemes and modules taught entirely or partially through the medium of Welsh if that is what you choose - see the 'Studying through the medium of Welsh' page for further information.