Course outline

The MA in Security, Intelligence and Diplomacy degree combines elements from our existing Security and Intelligence MA and our Diplomacy programmes. Like all of our MA programmes, a diplomacy degree aims to help to prepare graduates for careers in foreign and other ministries, international organisations, international journalism and global civil society organisations or for further research. Areas of study include intelligence and international security since 1939; intelligence, tradecraft and machinery; case studies in intelligence success and failure; international law and diplomacy; foreign policy analysis; global diplomacy; security challenges and other global issues. The modules are taught intensively in lectures, seminars and small group tutorials; they assume little prior knowledge but rapidly bring students to an advanced level of understanding. Buckingham is a small academic community and students have personal and frequent access to their instructors. The programme is also suitable for those without a specific career aim in mind but who wish to acquire an advanced understanding of these subjects.

Testimonials from BUCSIS students

Quality teaching

We offer high quality, traditional Oxbridge-style teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the UK – who approve and moderate assessed work.

Teaching methods

Teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures supported by seminars and tutorials. A key feature of the Buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups which provide the most effective means of ensuring that the students benefit from the academic expertise at their disposal. It is also the philosophy of Buckingham’s faculty to be available to students outside the scheduled tutorial times and to encourage good working relationships between staff and students.

Teaching staff

BUCSIS was established in 2008 as a world-class centre for research into the key Security and Intelligence issues facing the UK and the world in the 21st century. The Centre is headed by a leading academic in the field with former practitioner experience in the shape of Professor Julian Richards, and closely supported by Dr Bill Kappis, a renowned academic of global affairs and international relations with a diverse international experience. The original founder of the centre, Professor Anthony Glees, continues his association with our work as an Emeritus Professor of the University.

Julian Richards, PhD (Cantab). Joint founder of Buckingham’s Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies, Associate of the Pakistan Security Research Unit (PSRU) at Bradford University, and an active member of the European Ideas Network (EIN). Previously member of the Ministry of Defence.
More information about Julian Richards.

Dr Vassilis Kappis, lecturer in Security and Intelligence Studies. Dr Vassilis (Bill) Kappis holds a PhD degree from the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney (2016) and Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and European Integration from the Australian National University (2007) and the London School of Economics (2006) respectively. His doctoral thesis, submitted in 2015, assessed the impact of tense security crises on leadership perceptions across rival and non-rival state dyads.

Emeritus Professor Anthony Glees,
More information about Anthony Glees.

Assessment methods

Assessment will take the form of written assignments and examinations and an individually supervised 10,000-word dissertation. Candidates whose total average mark is above 70 are awarded the MA with Distinction; those whose total average mark is between 60 and 69 are awarded the MA with Merit; those whose total average mark is between 50 and 59 are awarded the MA and those whose total average mark is between 40 and 49 are awarded the Diploma.

Graduate employment

Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.