Key information

Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years part time

Institution code: R72

Campus: Central London

UK fees*: £12,000

International/EU fees**: £23,100

The course

Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Studies (MSc)

Gain an understanding of the challenges of terrorism and counter-terrorism in this Masters at Royal Holloway as you learn from experts and practitioners working in the field.

Our MSc in Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism is ever relevant. Just consider the multiple crises in the world today: the controversial proscription of Palestine Action, Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Hamas, and the threat of the far right at the polls.

You’ll explore how we define and research terrorism. Examine the role states play in countering terrorism, and even propagating terrorism. And analyse the terrorist exploitation of social media.

Our academics have published major works on psychology in terrorism, gender and extremism, and the use of new technologies by radicals.

Develop your interests

Benefit from our strong links with policymakers and listen to guest speakers from government, such as Prevent, the Home Office, and the FCDO Boost your employability by practising your briefing skills through presentations and report writing
Explore CV-worthy opportunities such as assisting at conferences and blog about your work
Attend events at think tanks like RUSI, close to our Central London location
Connect with our alumni in the field to learn of job and career opportunities, and gain vital employment tips

Make a difference

Previous students have competed for a paid four-week internship with the think-and-do-tank the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and have undertaken an online internship with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UNCTED).

If you’re already working in the security, tech, or policy sectors, we do encourage part-time students. And our graduates have followed a range of careers, including terrorism analysis, the police and the intelligence services.

See what former students thought of the course.

We sometimes make changes to our courses to improve your experience. If this happens, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Course structure

Core Modules

The core modules listed below are all taught on our central London campus.

This module will challenge you to question what exactly terrorism is, and who can commit acts of terrorism. You will consider the immediate and long-term aims of terrorist groups – and does terrorism ever ‘work’; is terrorism the result of root causes such as poverty and exclusion; is religious extremism a major cause of terrorism? Alongside these and other questions, you will also address the emergence of ‘Critical Terrorism Studies’ and will deal with issues raised by scholars on both sides of the ‘critical/orthodoxy’ divide, and question whether or not this has had a positive impact on the development of this area of study
The module aims to provide you with an evidence-based understanding of the history and modern nature of counter-terrorism. The module will focus on different forms of counter-terrorism and will provide a critical assessment of the effectiveness and flaws of different strategies and tactics as well as focus attention on several case studies to illustrate the role and impact of counter-terrorism policies and the lessons that can be learnt from them. The history, context and impact of the various counter-terrorism initiatives will be explored, and trends and patterns identified. States can respond to terrorism and low-intensity conflicts with a range of approaches and these will be explored and critically assessed.
The purpose of this dissertation is to provide you with the opportunity to engage in a significant independent research project. You will choose the topic of the research. However, it must focus on an area within the remit of the terrorism and counter-terrorism studies focus of the programme. The dissertation must be an original, independent piece of research which can be either empirical or literature based in nature. Prior to starting the dissertation you must have a research proposal accepted by the dissertation committee. After your dissertation proposal has been accepted you will each be allocated a supervisor who will be able to give you guidance, feedback and support throughout the research process.
This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

The latter three modules are 15 Credit optional modules offered from Politics, International Relations and Philosophy (PIRP). These are offered at our Egham campus during daytime teaching.

This module examines the origins of political and state terror, starting with ancient examples like Ghengis Khan and Tamburlaine's city sackings. It also explores more recent instances of state terror, such as Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, and Pol Pot's Cambodia. The French Revolution's 'regime de terreur' is studied as a precursor to modern terrorism. The module traces the evolution of terrorism from 19th-century anarchists and Fenians to anti-colonial movements in the 20th century. Lastly, it explores lessons from the history of terrorism for understanding the phenomenon and shaping current responses to it.
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the role which psychology can play in helping us to understand terrorist involvement. Students will be assessing why people join, stay involved and ultimately leave terrorist groups. Critically assessing the psychological evidence for radicalisation and deradicalisation. This module will challenge students to consider whether or not the psychology of terrorist actors is any different from the psychology of non-terrorist actors. In doing so students will be introduced to concepts and theories from a variety of areas of psychology that may apply to understanding terrorist engagement.
This module provides you with a contemporary appreciation, through a number of case studies, of terrorist groups and movements across the globe. By the very nature of this module the content will be significantly updated year by year. However, the aims and learning outcomes will be constant. Using academic literature and research, you will gain an evidence-based understanding of terrorist ideologies, structures, tactics and targets and the impact that terrorist groups and networks have, both nationally and internationally. These will be studied in the context of contemporary debates within terrorism – for example, are we really confronted by what has been called ‘new’ terrorism? If so, what is new about it?
This module introduces you to how the area of security studies has evolved to include ever more transnational dynamics. You will see how scholars have traditionally understood security and how the study of security has developed. You will develop a theoretical and conceptual awareness of the practical issues and problems in Transnational Security Studies, exploring why security has become transnational. You will also look at security communities, alliances and collective security; global security governance; and cyber warfare.
In this module you will examine the theories, concepts and issues surrounding the role of media in war and conflict in the early twenty-first century. The post-9/11 global security situation and the 2003 Iraq war have prompted a marked increase in interest in questions concerning media, war and conflict, and you look at the relationships between media, governments, military, and audiences/publics, in light of old, new, and potential future security events. You will develop an understanding of the theories of media effects in conflict situations, covering a number of important themes, including embedding, sanitisation, legitimacy, and terrorism and publicity. You will explore the role of ethics, technology, and professional norms that inform war reporting, analysing a range of media with consideration for conceptual, theoretical and methodological issues in light of ongoing conflicts around the world.
In this module you will analyse the content and sources of change in defence policy during the post-Cold War era. You will look at changes to the objectives of defence policy, military capabilities, force structures and doctrines of the world’s major military powers (the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia). In so doing, you will asses the extent to which these reforms have helped the state concerned to meet its central security challenges. In addition, you will develop an understanding of the embedding of defence policies within regional and international institutions and the sources of defence cooperation. You will also see the implications of non-state actors in defence, notably private military companies and non-governmental organisations.

Teaching & assessment

You will take a number of taught units and complete a dissertation worth 60 credits.

You will be assessed through a mixture of reports, presentations, portfolios, peer assessment and a thesis.

Entry requirements

2:2

Bachelor Upper Second Class Honours of equivalent in Law, Criminology, Psychology, Politics or a related subject in Social Sciences or Humanities.

Alternatively, for applicants who have studied a degree within a STEM subject may be required to submit an essay or part of an dissertation from previous studies that demonstrates the ability of an argument or interrogation of a thesis.

Applicants may be interviewed.

International & EU requirements

Bachelor degree from the American University of Armenia or a Specialist diploma with 80% or a GPA of 3.5 overall.

Bachelor degree (Honours) with a 2:2 or a Bachelor degree (Ordinary) with a Pass with 58% overall.

Bachelor degree or Fachhochschuldiplom/Diplom (FH) with a Grade 3.9 overall.

Bachelor degree (Bakalavr) or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5 or 70% overall.

4 year Bachelor degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) with a First Class Division or a Masters Degree following a 3 or 4 year degree.

Bachelor degree with grade 12 overall or the Licentiaat or Licence and other two cycle diplomas with grade 12 overall.

Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani with Grade 8

Bakalavar or Diploma of Completed Higher Education with a Grade 4 out 6 overall.

4 year Bachelor degree with 62%, a GPA 2.5 out of 4, Grade 6 out of 12 or grade C+ overall OR 3 year Bachelor degree with 73%, a GPA of 3.1 out of 4, Grade 8 out of 12 or grade B overall, depending on the grading scheme.

4 year Bachelors degree with an overall 70% to 75% or GPA of 2.8 to 3.0 out of 4.0 depending on the institution.

3 out of 5 overall in the Baccalaureus Prvostupnik or Visoko Obrazovanja/Level VII/1 (second level degree obtained on completion of 4-6 year course).

Overall 6.5 out of 10 or a GPA of 2.85 out of 4 in a Bachelor degree from a public university, Ptychion (from University of Cyprus) or Bachelor degree awarded by a private institution (the programme must be accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture).

Bakalar with dobre (good), score of 2 or Grade C overall.

7 from 13 points grading system or 4 from 7 points grading system in a Bachelor degree, Candidatus Philosophiae or Professionbachelor.

University bachelors degree with a GPA of 2.4 overall or 65% overall

75%, 2.5 or C overall in a Bakalaurusekraad/Diploma, Magister or Magistrikraad

GPA of 1 where marks are in 1 - 3 system or GPA of 2.3 where marks are in 1 - 5 system in a Kandidaattii/Kandidat or Maisteri/Magister

Licence awarded from 2009 with grade 12 or Maitrise (pre-Bologna) with grade 11

Grade 3 overall in a Bachelor, Fachhochschuldiplom or Magister Artium

Bachelor degree with a Second Class Lower Division overall.

6 out of 10 overall in a Diploma from the Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture or a Ptychion (Bachelor degree) awarded by an AEI.

Bachelors degree degree with a Second Class Honours, Lower Division.

Egyetemi Oklevel /Foiskola Oklevel/ Alapfokozat with 3 out of 5 overall.

Baccalaurreatus with grade 6.5 out of 10 overall or Kandidatsprof / Cadidatus Mag with 6 out of 10 overall.

Bachelor degree with 55% to 60% overall or a CGPA of 5.5 to 6 out of 10 overall depending on the institution.

Bachelor degree or Diploma IV with overall GPA of 2.8.

Bachelor Degree/Professional Doctorate with 13 out of 20 overall.

Bachelor’s degree (four years) with 70% overall.

Bachelors degree with at least 75% overall depending on the mark scheme.

Diploma di Laurea or Licenza di Accademia di Belle Arti with 84 out of 110 overall.

Bachelor degree (Gakushi) with a B overall, dependent on the mark scheme.

Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5, 70% or 3.0 out of 4.33 overall.

Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours (lower division) overall.

Bachelor degree with B or a GPA of 3.0 overall.

Bakalaura Diploms or Professional Bakalaura Diploms with Grade 6 overal.

Dipl Ing (FH) or Dipl Arch (FH) from Liechtenstein Technical College with a Grade 4 overall.

7 out of 10 overall in a Bakalauras or Specialist Diploma.

Bachelor degree, Diplome d?Ingenieur Industriel or Dipl?me d'?tudes Sup?rieures Sp?cialis?es with 40 out of 60 or 14 out of 20 (Bien) overall.

Bachelor degree with Class 2 Division ii, B or 2.8 out of 4.0 overall.

Honours degree with a Second Class (Lower Division) overall.

Bachelor degree or Doctoraal with Grade 6.0 out of 10 overall.

Bachelor degree Honours or Ordinary with an overall Grade C+ or Grade 3 out of 9 points grading system.

Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours, Lower Division or overall GPA of 2.5 out of 5.

Visoko Obrazovanja with 7 out of 10 overall.

Bachelor degree, Candidatus Magisterii, Sivilingeni-r (siv. ing.) (Engineering degree ) or Sivil?konom (siv. ?k.) (Economics degree) Grade D or 2.6 to 3.2.

Bachelor degree with an overall GPA of 2.6.

4 year Bachelor degree or combined bachelors degree and Master degree for the duration of 4 years with 58% - 65% or a CGPA of 2.8 - 3.2 overall depending on your institution.

Licencjat, Inzynier or Bachelor with grade 3.71 overall.

Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializadoswith grade 14 overall or Licenciado with grade 13 overall.

Bachelor degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 overall.

Diploma de Licenta, Diploma Inginer or Diploma de Arhitect with 7.0 out of 10 overall.

Bakalavr Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5 or 70% overall.

Bachelor degree with 70%, 3.0 out of 5.0 or 2.8 out of 4.0 overall.

Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja (second-level degree obtained on completion of a four to six-year course) with 7.5 out of 10 overall.

Bachelor degree (from a public university) with a Class II (lower) overall.

Bakalar or Magister / Inzinier with vel'mi dobre (very good) or Grade 2 overall.

Diplomirani / Diplomirani Inzenir from Visoko izobrazevanje, University Diploma or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) with 7 out of 10 (8 for Visoko Obrazovanja) overall.

Bachelor (Honours), Bachelor or Professional Bachelor degree with 60% or Second Class Lower Division.

Bachelor (Haksa) degree with 3.0 out of 4.5, 2.9 out of 4.3 or 2.8 out of 4.0.

Licenciado, Titulo de Ingeniero or Titulo de Arquitecto with 6 out of 10.

Bachelor degree from National University or Private University with 68% to 73% or GPA 2.8 to 3.0 depending on your institution.

Bachelor degree with a 2nd Class Honours (Lower) overall.

Bachelor degree GPA 2.6 to 2.8 depending on your institution.

Bachelor degree (post 2007) or Specialist Diploma (after 1991) with a Grade 3, 9 out of 12 or 4 out of 5 overall.

Bachelor degree with 80%, a GPA of 2.8 out of 4, C+ or Good overall.

Bachelor degree with a GPA of 2.6 overall.

Kandidatexamen with at least a Pass (godkand) overall.

Bachelor degree or Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with 6.5 out of 10.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 6.0.
Pearson Test of English: 67 overall. No other subscore lower than 64.
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24.
Duolingo: 120 overall and no sub-score below 115.

Your future career

Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to hear from and engage with external guest speakers from the public and private sectors, who will provide talks and briefings on a variety of career paths in the area of counter-terrorism.

Future career opportunities may include becoming a civil servant in the Home, or Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; working within the UK's intelligence services; becoming an analyst with a security think-tank; or a role in one of the police services' anti-terrorism branches. Alternatively, you may wish to complete a PhD and forge a career in academia.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £12,000

EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £23,100

Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.

How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.

* and ** These tuition fees apply to students starting their course on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually. For further information, see fees and funding.

** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.