Curious about studying Global Security with Investigation - BSc (Hons)at Bucks New University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
High Wycombe Campus
Full Time
Sep 2027
3 Year
Corporations, humanitarian organisations and local authorities are all regulated by third parties. Whether you are motivated by societal resilience, crisis recovery or profit-margins, have you considered the specialists who maintain the security of the operation? BSc (Hons) Global Security with Investigation focuses on the analytical processes, ethics and skills underpinning professional investigation. Designed for those interested in protecting communities, uncovering wrongdoing, and supporting fair systems, this course opens doors to careers in law enforcement, regulatory bodies, and private security. If you’re fascinated by societal safety or commercial investigations and want to be the person who finds the answers, this pathway puts you on the right track.
Why study Global Security with Investigation at Bucks?Hands on learning
\ Our curriculum centres on active, workshop-based sessions: you’ll analyse real-world data, debate live case studies and run table top exercises that mirror the challenges of an investigative team. From day one, you’ll practise briefing decision-makers and using structured techniques to turn raw information into actionable insight.
Graduate career ready\ We aim to equip you with a toolkit that employers are looking for from day one. You’ll learn to analyse complex risk scenarios, present clear security briefs and make rapid decisions under pressure. With an internship embedded into in your second year, you’ll graduate with both the theoretical grounding and the professional network to hit the ground running. Bucks graduates have proven their skills in real settings well before graduation day.
Dedicated intelligence operational room\ Step into our intelligence, security, and resilience centre, a dedicated space with live open-source intelligence (OSINT) feeds, commercial data subscriptions and secure simulation software. Here you’ll master the tools of the trade, tracking political risk, financial flows, or cyber-threats, in a space that mirrors real world offices.
Shared first year\ Your first year brings you together with students from our Aviation and Intelligence Analysis pathways, giving you a solid grounding in global security theory, structured analytical methods, and cyber-risk fundamentals. This means that at the end of your first year, you will get the opportunity to change your specialisation if you want to.
What will I study?\ The course begins with a foundation in global security, intelligence concepts, cyber risks, and structured analysis. As you specialise, you’ll develop key investigative skills in areas such as terrorism and counter-terrorism, digital forensics, and criminal justice systems. You'll explore the ethical dimensions of investigation work and learn how to lead inquiries across both public and private sectors. You'll also enhance your ability to give confident presentations, assess evidence critically, and manage decision-making under pressure. In your final year, you’ll complete a research project on a topic that reflects your professional goals, helping you graduate with both subject expertise and investigative credibility.
What are my career prospects?\ As a graduate of Global Security with Investigation you will be equipped to step straight into roles such as Intelligence Officer, digital forensics, or regulatory compliance. You could join regional police forces, corporate fraud teams or private security consultancies. Many graduates also choose to progress to postgraduate research at Bucks.
This module helps you build the core academic skills needed to succeed on the programme. You’ll learn to turn curiosity into structured research, manage your time effectively, and make the most of university resources. You’ll also begin developing clear written and verbal communication, essential for both study and your future career. By the end of this module, you will have all the essentials in place to thrive in the remainder of the course.
In this module, you’ll explore the core principles of intelligence operations, from espionage and satellite imagery to managing covert sources. You’ll trace the evolution of intelligence from early spying to modern approaches in policing, commercial security, and cyber operations. You’ll also examine the rise of open-source intelligence, where citizen analysts use public data to produce powerful insights. By the end, you’ll understand how intelligence is planned, managed, and applied, as well as gain the skills to carry out operations yourself.
Security is a broad term that means protection from harm. It can be applied to individuals, communities, businesses, nations, and to cyber space. Whilst the concept of security is as old as human life, it is only in recent decades that it has grown into a professional discipline. This module provides a broad foundation of the key security concepts: the evolution of security, security threats, organisations’ security culture, physical protection, cyber security, security risk management, legal aspects, and the business of security. It also explains the organisational, national, and global context and the factors that influence approaches to security.
You’ll dive into the core role analysis plays in intelligence, security, and organisational resilience, discovering how structured techniques bring clarity and rigour to complex problems. Through hands-on practice with widely used analytical tools, you’ll learn to break down information, spot patterns, and build assessments that are logical, transparent, and decision ready. You’ll apply these methods to various problems in the remainder of the course. By the end of the module, you’ll be ready to step into a team and contribute live analysis in either the public or private sector.
Open Source Intelligence analysis (OSINT) is the exploitation of public domain digital information to produce intelligence.This module introduces you to OSINT tools and techniques, along with the platforms used to carry out online investigations. You’ll explore the risks involved in OSINT work and learn how to operate safely and responsibly. By the end, you’ll feel confident navigating the OSINT landscape and applying your skills in real-world contexts.
You’ll explore why information is one of the most valuable assets in any organisation, learning about the different types of information, how it can be used, and the ways it might be lost. You’ll examine the risks of theft and leakage, and compare methods for protecting sensitive data. You’ll also bring together information and IT security to build a strong, integrated defence against modern threats. By applying cybersecurity principles to information security, you’ll understand how the two areas relate, where they differ, and how to respond effectively to evolving risks.
This module helps you build the academic and professional skills needed to succeed in higher education and in careers such as aviation, international security, the civil service, and policing. You’ll develop key academic abilities like research, critical thinking, writing, and presenting, while also gaining practical skills in time management, teamwork, problem solving, and data analysis. You’ll learn how to interpret assignment briefs, plan your work, and reflect on your personal development, with a focus on what employers value in today’s professional world.
This module gives you a broad foundation in global issues that shape the work of Intelligence, Security, and Resilience (ISR) professionals. You’ll explore how geopolitical, economic, environmental, technological, and social trends affect organisational resilience and security. With a focus on anticipating change, you’ll learn to interpret complex, fast-moving developments and consider how organisations can respond. By the end, you’ll understand the global context ISR professionals operate in and be ready to help shape strategic decisions.
This module explores how emerging technologies are reshaping the delivery of security at both corporate and national levels. You’ll examine key questions around the future use of technology in intelligence and resilience, the risks it introduces, and the convergence of physical and cyber domains. You’ll also consider the ethical and legal challenges of surveillance, the digitisation of risk, how to communicate risk to the public, and whether the future can truly be predicted.
This module introduces you to the role and responsibilities of an investigator, focusing on how to carry out robust, auditable investigations outside of law enforcement. You’ll learn how to apply investigative frameworks in commercial and private contexts, particularly after security breaches involving people, finances, or reputations. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and legal awareness to conduct investigations ethically and effectively.
Dive into the world of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) and investigate real-world challenges using professional research and analytical techniques. Develop the skills to uncover insights, solve problems and make informed decisions in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
This module equips you with the core knowledge and skills to manage projects in complex, fast-changing environments. You’ll explore both theory and practice, learning how to plan, monitor, and deliver successful projects.While working on your project, you’ll apply academic, technical, and transferable skills developed throughout your studies.
This module brings you together with peers for a series of workshops and guest lectures designed to connect your learning with real-world careers.You’ll hear from professionals tackling current global security and intelligence challenges, take part in scenario-based exercises, and explore how your skills apply across a range of sectors. Sessions will introduce both obvious and unexpected career paths.Each activity feeds into your reflective journal and helps you build a professional profile aligned with the skills needed for roles in intelligence, security, and resilience careers.
This module is about criminal investigation systems and the processes and theory around criminal investigation systems. Your knowledge and understanding is developed to a level that engages and promotes critical questioning, discussion, and informed analysis.
This module explores the ethical and legal challenges faced by intelligence professionals, especially when national security conflicts with individual rights. You’ll examine laws, moral obligations, and real-world cases where privacy, dignity, and human rights are at stake.You’ll learn to assess the ethical implications of controversial intelligence activities and develop frameworks to guide difficult decisions early in your career.
4.4Bucks New University (BNU) is a student-focused university based in High Wycombe, with over 130 years of educational his...
