Protective Security and Resilience MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Study level: Postgraduate
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This course focuses on complex security-related challenges faced by law enforcement, governments and businesses, how these can be understood and how they can be mitigated to help keep people safe.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Part-time

Duration

2 years part-time (UK only)

Course code

TPST001 - MSc
TPST002 - PgDip
TPST003 - PgCert

Start date

September 2025
January 2026


Course overview

Protective security and resilience is an important and influential consideration in the counter terrorism, security and resilience disciplines, particularly in relation to public spaces, venues and critical infrastructure protection.

This course is designed to help you to:

  • gain advanced knowledge and practical tools in protective security and resilience, directly applicable to government and organisational security roles
  • engage in a holistic, 'whole systems' approach to addressing physical, cyber and personnel risks through innovative, research-led teaching
  • benefit from flexible delivery tailored for working professionals, enabling career progression and enhanced expertise through peer learning and operational insights.

Qualifications available:

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Protective Security and Resilience (8 months)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Protective Security and Resilience (16 months)
  • Master’s in Protective Security and Resilience (24 months)

The three qualifications are sequential: you start by completing the certificate level, then the diploma and finish by completing the full master's degree, with the option to stop, pause or continue at each stage.

Fast-Track Protective Security and Resilience MSc – RP(E)L (16 months)

We also provide the opportunity to study through our fast-track RP(E)L (Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning) route which allows you to gain credits for your prior experience and learning, including what you have achieved in your career so far. Please see the Entry Requirements section for more information.

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

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Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

  • Comprehensive multidisciplinary approach: Gain a deep understanding of protective security and resilience as a multidisciplinary academic field, addressing key security challenges and their business benefits.
  • Global and sector-wide perspectives: Learn about the mechanisms and processes for enhancing protective security and resilience across public, private, third, and academic sectors at the international level.
  • Research-driven risk management: Develop and apply research-informed risk assessments and management methods to various security scenarios, equipping you with practical, actionable skills.
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills: Enhance your ability to locate, gather and critically review diverse research sources, gaining the information to construct coherent arguments and solutions.
  • Project management and organisational expertise: Improve your organisational skills, including time management, project planning and the ability to design and execute research projects effectively.

What you'll study

This course covers key principles, cutting-edge research and practical insights in protective security. You'll gain specialist knowledge and tools for government roles, learning through a 'whole systems' approach to physical, cyber and personnel risks. The course integrates significant operational and academic expertise, offering innovative, research-led teaching. You will also have the opportunity to benefit from extensive peer learning, combining theory, concepts and practice to enhance your expertise in protective security and resilience.

  • Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
  • Master’s (180 credits).

Modules

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

  • Online weekly ‘live’ lectures/seminars, including case study and scenario formats
  • Drop-in sessions with tutors/supervisors
  • Student presentations and group discussions

You will be well supported throughout your studies with a range of support, services and guidance to help you get the most out of your programme.

Coursework feedback and support from the programme team will be provided. The Centre for Peace and Security (CPS) has a team of PGT (Postgraduate Teaching) Ambassadors who provide pastoral and academic skills support. For those writing a dissertation, a supervisor will be allocated who has appropriate knowledge, experience and expertise in your chosen topic of study.


Teaching contact hours

For the full master’s course, you will study modules totalling 180 credits. A typical 10 credit module requires a total of 100 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 4 and 6 teaching hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will dig deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods, which will vary depending upon the module, but will include essays and coursework projects.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include individual assignments or group work elements.

 


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

A minimum of a second-class honours undergraduate degree (minimum of 2:2) or equivalent with an appropriate government, military, law enforcement, security or resilience background.

All applications will be evaluated individually with admissions decisions made by CPS. Admission decisions are based on the entry criteria elaborated below and an evaluation of the required application documents. Ordinarily, the minimum entry criteria for each stage (PGCert, PGDip and MSc) of the Protective Security and Resilience programme are as follows:

Applicants should hold a 2:2 or above degree (or equivalent international grade/qualification), from a recognised university.

Prior to applying, please ensure you have the following supporting documents ready to upload:

  • detailed personal statement
  • academic transcripts and award certificate of your first degree
  • English Language certificate e.g. IELTS (if applicable)
  • reference letter from a current/former tutor and/or line manager
  • CV
  • passport copy/scan
  • RP(E)L form (if relevant).

The documents above are required to make an initial application, however further documentation may be requested from applicants in cases where additional information is required to support course entry decisions.

this must be sent directly by the referee to study.cps@coventry.ac.uk.

For further information please contact our Postgraduate Programmes team at:
+44 (0) 2477659059
study.cps@coventry.ac.uk

Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning:

To be eligible to apply for RP(E)L an applicant must have a minimum of five (5) years evidenced working experience in a relevant field to Protective Security and Resilience and be operating in a relevant role at the time of application, or have operated within a relevant role within 12 months of the time of application.

Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning (RP(E)L) is in accordance with the University Academic Regulations.

For further information on eligibility and the application process please email study.cps@coventry.ac.uk.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.


Fees and funding

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our  Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK Not available 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £10,600 (MSc) | £7,067 (PGDip) | £3,533 (PGCert)

Facilities

As learners on an online programme, there is no expectation of attendance on campus. You will, however, have access to all Coventry campus facilities such as the Lanchester Library and The Hub.


Careers and opportunities

If you are already a practitioner, you will have the opportunity to broaden your professional network, which is very likely to be useful to you in the workplace, whilst also gaining a formal accredited postgraduate qualification, which may be required for further progression in your career.

If you are an individual with an interest in protecting crowded places, critical infrastructure and risk mitigation and resilience, this course can help equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter into jobs within a broad spectrum of organisations. These could include law enforcement, government, private security organisations, international non-government organisations and also academia.

Where our graduates work

Graduates from this course will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to enter jobs within a broad spectrum of organisations, including law enforcement, government, private security organisations, architectural design and development companies, international non-government organisations and academia.


How to apply