Policing, Law Enforcement and Security MSc
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Course Summary
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the need for effective policing, law enforcement, and security measures has never been greater. As societies face new and complex challenges, the MSc in Policing, Law Enforcement, and Security at the University of Chester stands at the forefront, preparing professionals to safeguard our communities and uphold justice. This course is designed for students with an academic/professional background in policing, law enforcement and security or related subjects who wish to pursue further study and research into topics of contemporary interest. Those completing this MSc will have become competent and independent minded, and be able to use these skills in the law enforcement sector or elsewhere.
This course incorporates and addresses the subjects that are a significant threat and challenge to contemporary society and are priority areas for policing, law enforcement and security organisations.
We draw on the extensive practitioner experience of the academic teaching team supplemented by serving practitioners from specialist law enforcement agencies, including the Police Service, National Crime Agency and the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, in order to provide a unique and complementary learning environment. Our lecturers bring their subject to life by referring to real-world scenarios.
Classes are held on Wednesday of each week, thereby allowing you to plan your attendance in advance and minimising any disruption to family and professional life.
What you’llStudy
You will study six core modules over the course and on successful completion of a dissertation you will be awarded the MSc in Policing, Law Enforcement and Security – a highly rewarding and valuable qualification. 
Module content:
- Concepts of the Risk Society
- Theoretical perspectives of Risk, Vulnerability and Safeguarding
- Information and intelligence gathering to support Risk Management
- Assessment of threat levels for Risk Management
- Working strategy for Risk Management Powers and Policy considerations for Risk Management, Managing Risk, taking action and reviews
- Time critical decision making in high risk strategies
- Duty of care and the Management of Risk
- ECHR principles in Risk Management
- Risk management frameworks
- Probability of Risk and impact of consequences
- Multi-Agency Operational risk management
(MAPPA/MARAC) - Operational risk management in covert law enforcement
Module aims:
The aim of this module is to acquaint students with the theoretical knowledge and understanding of the key issues and debates with regards to Multi-agency working in the context of identifying risk in society and measures to protect those that are deemed to be vulnerable and at risk of being victims of crime.
Module content:
During this module the student will study the following key theoretical concepts:
- Theories of leadership, motivation and conflict
- Contemporary context for leading and managing public and voluntary services
- Crime and Disorder Act 1998 – the legislative obligation
- Cultural issues and divergent organisations – recognising and influencing change in culture and practice
- Understanding the multi-agency perspective, interpretations, aspirations and resistance
- Multi-agency contribution to Community Safety through reduction of crime and ASB
- Concepts of partnership
- Issues of representation
- Partnership structures and working strategies
- Information sharing – legislation and best practice
Module aims:
The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the leadership and management complexities of multi-agency partnership working.
Module content:
Students will critically examine the philosophy of conducting research and the complex nature of knowledge. The concept of the research cycle will form the structure around which both quantitative and qualitative research processes, methodology and methods will be explored. A key emphasis will be on the construction of the research question or hypothesis and the consequent decisions that need to be made once this is established. Critical systematic literature reviewing will be examined in detail as will methods of information retrieval. A wide variety of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research design, data gathering and methods of analysis will be evaluated and critiques developed. Ethical practice in conducting research will underpin the content of this module with critical appraisal of a range of key ethical principles particularly relevant to researching policing, law enforcement and security.
Module aims:
To take the student through the processes of qualitative and quantitative empirical research, covering participatory and observational studies, types of interviewing techniques, the use of case studies and qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Module content:
The purpose of this module is to enable students to design, conduct and report on an area of individual research based upon an area of study relevant to policing, wider law enforcement or security.
The topic and the title of the Research study will be agreed between the student and the research supervisor. All studies that utilise research participants (interviews, questionnaires, focus groups and observations) will be submitted for approval to the Department of Social Sciences Ethics Committee prior to any engagement with the participants.
Individual supervision sessions will provide guidance and support on all areas of the research process and will be intended to meet the specific needs of the individual researcher.
Module aims:
The aim of the individual research project is to provide the student with the opportunity to complete an in-depth piece of research in policing, wider law enforcement or security. The research study will build upon and consolidate skills learnt in the research methods element of the module and will allow the student to develop more detailed subject specific knowledge in the topic selected.
Module content:
- Interpreting the criminal environment
- Positioning the citizen within contemporary policing landscapes
- Law enforcement legitimacy and Human Rights
- Defining the concept of intelligence led-policing
- Analytical frameworks, data handling, information, intelligence and evidence
- Covert policing methodologies
Module aims:
The aim of this module is to introduce and immerse the student in the complex world of contemporary intelligence and covert policing management and its relevance and application across the wider policing, law enforcement and security landscape.
Module content:
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The aim of this module is for the student to consider the chronological development and theoretical perspectives of the nature and threat from international serious and complex organised crime and the impact it is having on 21st century society law enforcement.
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The aim of this module is for the student to consider the chronological development and theoretical perspectives of the nature and threat from national and international terrorism and domestic extremism as it applies to 21st century society.
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Module aims:
The aim of this module is for the student to examine myriad global policing models and consider the chronological development and theoretical perspectives of the nature and complexities of national and transnational interoperability and criminal justice perspectives in addressing international threat and risk.
Module content:
This module provides the student with a critical understanding of policing accountability and policing culture. Policing culture will be examined and how culture may impact an officer’s decision making in practice, leading to impacts on community confidence in policing. The impact that leadership, instilling of ethics and values can have on policing practice will be explored.
Additionally, this module will seek to provide the student with a focus on mechanisms and processes that shape the delivery of policing accountability within England and Wales. The student will explore the purpose and effectiveness of each mechanism within the broader context of policing accountability, in order to provide them with critical understanding of policing accountability.
Topics covered include:
- Values and ethics – examination of the theory
- Corruption in office
- The role of the College of Policing in setting Standards
- The Code of Ethics in policing in England and Wales.
- Code of Ethics - Standards of Professional Behaviour
- Tripartite versus Local Control and Accountability
- Accountability frameworks
- Police and Crime Commissioners - Legitimacy in office
- Policing Culture – Territoriality and Normative orders and Policing Culture models
- Class contempt and Blue Code/Wall of Silence
- Police (Conduct) Regulations.
- Complaints Against the Police
Module aims:
This module will address the concepts of culture, values and ethics and it will examine the legal structures and processes that are in place to ensure that police officers in England and Wales act ethically and with accountability, and how these might impact on leadership, performance, decision making and community confidence/policing legitimacy.
MSc Policing, Law Enforcement & Security at the University of Chester
Mike Blakeley
Senior Lecturer in Policing
Mike Parsons
Lecturer in Policing
Our course is taught using lectures, seminars, workshops and presentations, and these will be supplemented by private study. We deliver the course over one day each week over three short semesters of six weeks, with an induction in September.
The teaching hours will normally be six hours per week, depending on whether you choose to study the course on a full-time or part-time basis.
Entry Requirements
2:2 honours degree
Applicants need a minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent in policing, law enforcement and security related subject. Credit exemption may be given for certified or experiential learning taken during the previous five years.
2:2 honours degree
Applicants need a minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent in policing, law enforcement and security related subject. Credit exemption may be given for certified or experiential learning taken during the previous five years.
English Language Requirements
For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
City centre location
On-site library
Social spaces
Fees and Funding
£8,505 per year (2024/25)
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2024/25 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.
£14,750 per year (2024/25)
The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £14,750.
The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.
For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.
Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.
The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.
Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.
Your future Career
Job prospects
The MSc has been designed following consultation with policing, law enforcement and security agencies so that the content delivers the key knowledge requirements of professionals currently working in that field. The course will provide graduates with an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the complexities of Policing, Law Enforcement and Security in contemporary society.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .