Confronting 21st-Century Threats from Cyber Warfare to Global Terrorism
The Department of Security Studies at Harvard College UK addresses the complex and evolving landscape of national and international security. Moving beyond traditional military concepts of defence, our programmes explore a wide spectrum of contemporary threats, including cyber warfare, transnational terrorism, hybrid conflicts, energy security, and the geopolitical impacts of climate change. We prepare analysts, policymakers, and security professionals with the multidisciplinary expertise required to protect states, societies, and individuals in an increasingly interconnected and volatile world.
The curriculum provides a deep dive into security theory, intelligence analysis, and strategic studies. Students learn to assess risk, understand the motivations and capabilities of state and non-state actors, and evaluate the effectiveness of different security architectures. Specialised pathways allow students to focus on areas such as Cybersecurity, where they study digital forensics and critical infrastructure protection; Counter-Terrorism, analysing radicalisation and counter-violent extremism (CVE) strategies; and Intelligence and Espionage, examining the history, ethics, and techniques of intelligence gathering and analysis.
Our teaching is enriched by case studies of recent conflicts, simulation exercises, and insights from visiting practitioners with experience in defence, intelligence, and international law. The department’s ethos is grounded in a firm understanding of international law and ethical practice in security operations. Given our European context, we offer unique insights into the security architecture of NATO and the European Union, as well as the specific challenges facing the European continent. Graduates are highly sought after by national government agencies (e.g., Home Office, Ministry of Defence), international organisations (NATO, UN), global risk consultancy firms, corporate security divisions, and think tanks, positioned at the forefront of protecting global stability.
