Terrorism and Insurgency MA
Year of entry 2025
- Start date
- September 2025
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a social science, humanities, or related discipline.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £12,750 (Total)
- International fees
- £26,000 (Total)
- Contact
- pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
In the ever-changing landscape of global security challenges and sub-state conflicts, this course addresses the phenomena of terrorism and insurgency in the 20th and 21st centuries.
The course will enable you to gain advanced insights into the history of terrorism, from state-sponsored terrorism in the Cold War period and urban terrorists in Western Europe, to the emergence of radical Islamism in the form of Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
You'll explore the dilemmas of preserving democratic liberties whilst developing counter-terrorism strategies and assessing the necessity and effectiveness of anti-terrorism legislation in the UK, US and beyond.
You'll consider the wider political context and causes of radicalisation and terrorist violence, specifically analysing the geo-politics of the Middle East to appreciate the complex situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban is resurgent, as well as Pakistan, Syria and Iraq.
Security at Leeds
This course is part of a suite of three postgraduate courses in the School of Politics and International Studies with a focus on security issues. You may also be interested in our specialist MA Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding and MA Global Security Challenges.
Research expertise
This course features research-led teaching in the crosscutting, dynamic fields of terrorism and insurgency, and is directly informed by the innovative research that occurs in the European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, recognised internationally for its work on atrocity prevention, and the versatile Centre for Global Security Challenges.
Our research culture is one of open academic enquiry, which embraces normative and empirical approaches in the study of terrorism, insurgency, UK and US foreign policies, security governance in fragile states, post-Cold War conceptions of international society at a global level, as well as within the comparative context of regional politics in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and East and Southeast Asia.
School of Politics and International Studies
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Course details
This course offers you the tools to undertake advanced analysis of terrorism and insurgency. You'll also have the freedom to develop your expertise on a range of security challenges such as climate change, conflict resolution, globalisation and conflict, human rights, poverty, post-conflict reconstruction and religious radicalism, on a global and a regional scale.
The compulsory modules studied will give you the opportunity to:
- look beyond political polemics and media platitudes
develop a robust and nuanced understanding of terrorism and insurgencies as national, regional and global security threats
gain an appreciation of the political, legal and ethical dilemmas facing all regime types, democratic or otherwise, in dealing with terrorist and insurgent tactics and strategies.
You'll be able to hone your research and writing skills in your compulsory dissertation – an independent piece of research on your chosen topic.
The wide-ranging list of optional modules means that you can explore a diverse range of related subjects of interest to you.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Insurgency | 30 |
| Terrorism | 30 |
| Dissertation | 60 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will study 60 credits from the modules below:
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance | 30 |
| European Defence and Security Analysis | 30 |
| The Rise of China | 30 |
| Contemporary Politics of the Middle East | 30 |
| Global Security Challenges | 30 |
| Global Security: Concepts and Debates | 30 |
| The Responsibility to Protect | 30 |
| Counterterrorism | 30 |
| Climate Security | 30 |
| Global Justice | 30 |
| Global Governance | 30 |
| Politics, Media and Democratic Engagement | 30 |
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars, workshops, online learning and guided weekly readings. We expect you to participate fully in taught sessions and to study independently, developing your skills and preparing for lectures and seminars.
You will also be able to benefit from an impressive range of research talks and seminars led by outside speakers or colleagues from within the department and University.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Within modules, assessment consists primarily of assessed essays. At the end of your studies, a 12,000-word dissertation will allow you to pursue your own research interest under close supervision by one of our expert colleagues.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or a non-UK equivalent in a social science, humanities, or another related discipline (that includes a minimum of five social science and humanities modules).
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Politics and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Politics and Society (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Friday 27 June 2025
UK – Friday 15 August 2025
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you will need include:
original or certified copies of your transcripts
original or certified copies of your degree certificate
original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025
This course is taught by
School of Politics and International Studies
Contact us
School of Politics and International Studies
Email: pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £12,750 (Total)
International: £26,000 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities.
Career opportunities
This course provides you with ideal preparation for a career in the international political arena. It will equip you with critical thinking, research and communication skills and in-depth knowledge sought after by employers.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas for peacebuilding organisations, government, police, and think tanks.
Organisations graduates have gone on to include the Ministry of Defence, the Metropolitan Police, International Alert, the Army and beyond. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.
Careers support
The School of Politics and International Studies has a dedicated Careers Consultant, who is on-hand throughout the year to support and advise on your career. The School also arranges a number of guest speaker events, where you’re able to engage with prospective employers and hear from leading figures in the field.
Find out more about how we support your career development.
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you'll also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Service. The Careers Service offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.