Security Studies

Bachelor

The Bachelor Security Studies is the first academic BA programme in continental Europe focusing on contemporary security and safety challenges. It is a three-year, English-taught programme that combines theory, practice, and skills, within an interdisciplinary framework. The programme helps students develop into well-rounded, academically trained security specialists.

Security and safety challenges rank among the most pressing contemporary issues for individuals, organisations, businesses, and states. They must deal with both real and perceived threats at local, regional and international levels. These threats may include: international terrorism, organised crime, cyber incidents, civil unrest, urban riots and natural or industrial disasters. Both technological and social developments have led to a rise in the number of complex security and safety challenges, that may affect societies and people across the globe. Addressing these security and safety challenges requires an academic approach, a critical attitude and knowledge of all relevant factors related to specific security and safety challenges.

The Bachelor Security Studies teaches students to analyse and address security and safety challenges. Using various theoretical lenses, students will learn how to unravel security cases by focusing on the political, historical and societal context, but also on governance structures, institutions and the role of the media. The programme employs a wide range of teaching methods to stimulate critical thinking in students, such as lectures, work groups, and excursions. Special attention is given to the development of academic and professional skills and the application of these skills to contemporary security and safety cases.

The Bachelor Security Studies is part of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs, and is taught at Leiden University’s Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs located in The Hague.

Year 1

Vak	EC	Semester 1	Semester 2
Semester 1
Introduction to Security and Safety	10
Skills Lab 1	5
Case study Syria	10
Skills Lab 2	5
Semester 2
Case Study Fukushima	10
Skills Lab 3	5
Integrated Project 1	10
Introduction to Research Methods	5

Year 2

Vak	EC	Semester 1	Semester 2
Semester 1
Vital Interests	10
Quantitative Research Methods	5
Terrorism and Counterterrorism	10
Law and Security	5
Semester 2
Cyber Threats	10
Qualitative Research Methods	5
War and Peacebuilding	10
Economics of Safety and Security	5

Year 3

Vak	EC	Semester 1	Semester 2
Semester 1
Electives
Victims and Offenders of Violence	10
Elective space	30
Semester 2
Integrated Project 2	10
Research Methods 3	5
Thesis Security Studies	15

Transitional Arrangements

Research Methods 1 (Block 4):

Following the restructuring of the bachelor’s programme that will apply from the academic year 2021-2022, the course “Research Methods 1” will be offered under a new name “Introduction to Research Methods”. Students who participated in the “Research Methods 1” course in the academic year 2020-2021 but did not manage to pass the course can follow “Introduction to Research Methods” as a substitute course (in block 4) and keep their passed partial grades during year 2021-2022. Students who followed the course ‘Research Methods 1’ before academic year 2020-2021 can’t keep their passed partial grades and need to retake the entire course ‘Introduction to Research Methods’. For exceptions, please contact the Board of Examiners.

Research Methods 2 (Block 1):

Following the restructuring of the bachelor’s programme that will apply from academic year 2021-2022, this will be the last year that this course will be given. From the academic year 2021-2022 onwards, this second year course will be replaced with a quantitative and qualitative research methods course (both year 2 courses). Students who started their first year of the Bachelor Security Studies before the academic year 2020-2021 and who have not yet completed Research Methods 2, should take Research Methods 2 in block 1 this academic year.

Students following this course will watch the seven pre-recorded lectures and read the literature provided on Brightspace. Additionally, five walk-in sessions in computer labs are organized for those seeking extra help with their papers. These sessions are not mandatory and will be used to answer any questions students have with regards to their data collection and analysis.
The final grade for this course is based on both a quantitative research paper (50%) and a qualitative research paper (50%). Please note that both papers must be passed with a 5.50 or higher to pass the course and that you are allowed to resit one or both failed papers.

Students who participated in this course before but did not manage to pass it, keep their passed partial grades during year 2021-2022. Students who failed the attendance requirement before are not required to attend the walk-in sessions in computer labs as they are not mandatory. Please reach out to the study advisors in case you need to follow Research Methods 2. For exceptions, please contact the Board of Examiners.

Governance of Security (Block 3):

Following the restructuring of the bachelor’s programme that will apply from academic year 2021-2022, this will be the last year that this course will be given in this format. Students who started their first year of the Bachelor Security Studies before the academic year 2020-2021 and who have not yet completed Governance of Security, should take Governance of Security in block 3 this academic year.

Students following this course will watch the seven pre-recorded lectures and read the literature provided on Brightspace. Additionally, two walk-in sessions are organized for those seeking extra help with preparing for their mid-term and/or final exam. These sessions are not mandatory and will be used to answer any questions students have with regards to the content of the course. There will be no lab sessions.
The final grade for this course is based on a mid-term exam (25%) and a final exam (75%). Please note that you can only resit the final exam (75%) and that the grade for the mid-term exam (25%) must be compensated. The grade of the final exam (75%) must be 5.50 or higher.

Students who participated in this course in the academic year 2020-2021 but did not manage to pass it, keep their passed partial grades during year 2021-2022. Students who failed the attendance requirement before are not required to attend the walk-in sessions as they are not mandatory. Please reach out to the study advisors in case you need to follow Governance of Security. For exceptions, please contact the Board of Examiners.