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Defence and Security at Lancaster University - UCAS

Course options

2026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Lancaster University is a centre for world-leading research on defence and security issues. Our expertise is sought by UK decision makers, policy advisors and commentators. This Postgraduate Diploma equips you to comprehend, analyse and address today’s defence and security challenges, preparing you to pursue or develop a career in government or the defence industry, think tanks and policy making, journalism or the armed forces. Why Lancaster?

  • Lancaster stands at the heart of the UK's national defence and security ecosystem, embedded in a network of research, government and industry organisations
  • Lancaster’s Centre for War and Diplomacy and our Security Lancaster Institute are hubs of excellence - our experts and visiting professionals provide insights via a wide-ranging events programme
  • Combine insights from across academic disciplines, from the historical and cultural contexts of global regions to emerging cyber and military technologies, linguistic analysis, conflict ethics and international and humanitarian law
  • Build expertise in global defence and security, including insights into the African nations, USA, China and Russia
  • Study a programme co-designed with UK Government and defence sector partners
  • Train in methods developed through Lancaster’s think tank and consultancy work, using cutting-edge facilities
  • Study in a flexible format alongside full or part-time work
Work with experts Lancaster University is a centre for world-leading research and sought-after expertise on defence and security issues in a range of disciplines, from Cyber Security to History, International Relations, Languages and Cultures, Law, Linguistics, Politics, and Security Studies. Our qualifications are designed to support and progress careers in industry, government, intelligence, think tanks, policy making, journalism and the armed forces. Sophisticated tools and insights The defence and security challenges facing our world are extensive and complex. This Postgraduate Diploma enables you to build expertise in world regions and actors – such as the USA, China and Russia - and security in Africa, the Indo Pacific and Transatlantic areas. You will combine insights from global cultures, history and linguistic analysis, and assess UK defence and security policy in a shifting geopolitical landscape. Appraise the workings of diplomacy, intelligence and ‘grey zone’ warfare through international relations and international law and engage with the philosophy and ethics of war and espionage. Assess the impact of new technologies on warfare by combining cyber conflict and security studies with historical perspectives. You will be trained in how to apply your knowledge to real-life scenarios, from responding to emergencies such as the threat of nuclear war and terrorism, to ensuring the UK's energy security and building defence and security policy. Our experts will guide you in methods such as red-teaming and back-casting, tackling geopolitical challenges by assessing the resources of global powers, their ambitions, political cultures and constraints, and in considering the interplay between actors in given scenarios. Learn how strategy is formed and test how economic, diplomatic, intelligence and military interventions impact the world order.

Entry requirements

2:2 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a related subject such as History, Politics, International Relations, Law, Linguistics, Languages, Politics, Security Studies or Sociology. We will also consider applications where you have a degree in other subjects or have not studied at university level but have relevant professional experience, including from former or current service personnel and those working in the defence sector or journalism. If you are not sure if you meet our entry requirements, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you. Please contact us for information.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For information about fees and funding please visit our website: www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding.
Defence and Security at Lancaster University - UCAS