MA Applied Security and Strategy (MStrat)

Entry requirements

We recognise that many professionals in defence and security, such as those in the Armed Forces, entered their careers without a first degree.

We welcome applications from individuals without a degree who can demonstrate to the Programme Director through their application that they have the requisite experience and academic capability to thrive on the programme. 

You should use your Personal Statement to provide additional information such as:

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Course content

In a world where security threats are constantly evolving and strategic decisions are more critical than ever, there is increasing demand for graduates trained in both the theory and practice of strategy.

The MStrat provides an academically rigorous but practically oriented education in the theory and practice of strategy for professionals in the private and public sectors. The course involves three core taught modules and two optional. 

Our core module Applied Strategy in the Contemporary World (POLM233) equips students with professional tools essential for careers in government, defense, security, and commercial sectors. Students gain expertise in decision-making frameworks such as SWOT, Mission Analysis, and Crisis Management, alongside innovative techniques like Pre-Mortems, Design Thinking, and Systems Mapping. Through practical coursework, including simulations, scenario planning, and policy writing, the module develops strategic planning and communication skills tailored for real-world professional environments.

MA Applied Security and Strategy is a unique, academically rigorous and professionally focused programme designed to equip you with critical understanding of the theory, history and practice of strategy.

• The MStrat includes a field trip and simulated exercise that provide practical professional training for students.
• The MStrat is flexible: students can choose to take any module from across the Faculty, including data science, forensics, and a range of modules on international security and politics, to create a bespoke degree.
• The MStrat culminates in a dissertation or work-based portfolio; students can apply what they have learnt on the course to specific problems and questions which they confront in their professional careers.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year: 

£12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time

International fees per year: 

£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.

For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

^{*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.}

Why study the MStrat?

We live in an increasingly unstable and uncertain world. Great power competition is rising. The war in Ukraine continues; the Hamas-Israel War in Gaza threatens to spread into a wider regional war. Tensions in the Indo-Pacific are increasing. Mass migration, environmental crisis, and AI compound the dangers. With the election of President Trump, many institutional certainties about the Transatlantic Relation, NATO, and other international organisations may be in doubt. New strategies and new thinking are required.

Successful professionals today working in the security, defence, and intelligence sectors, in government departments, or in the private sector, in tech or business, need to understand and navigate the complex 21st century geopolitical security environment. The MA in Applied Security and Strategy (MStrat) enables just that.

The MStrat was first developed in 2012 under the University of Exeter’s  Strategy and Security Institute. Uniquely, the MStrat aimed to help students to dissect strategic problems and to be able to respond to them adeptly. It enabled them as practitioners and leaders to perform better and to advance their careers. The new MStrat, launched for September 2025 entry, stays true to this vision.

Teaching and research

Teaching

Students on the MStrat will be taught by leading academics in the field of strategy and security studies, who work closely with the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence and other government departments. It also draws on the wider expertise of the department of Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Anthropology, and the wider Faculty of Humanities and the Social Sciences. 

The MStrat is offered as a full-time or part-time programme and will be timetabled to ensure maximum convenience for those still in employment. It will be taught mid-week over two days.

Teaching will be through a blend of lectures, seminars, group work, a field trip and a simulated exercise designed to teach and confirm practical skills. It will be supported by a weekly two-hour seminar by a guest speaker drawn from our honorary fellows and professors and wider network who will be a leader in their field and with whom students can engage.

Assessment

The course features a variety of assessments aimed at enhancing both your knowledge and practical skills. For your final project, you have the option to pursue either a traditional dissertation or a reflective learning portfolio focused on a work-related topic, allowing you to apply your learning directly to your career.

Facilities

The course is taught exclusively in the Knightley Building, which is home to the Strategy and Security Institute (SSI). Knightley is an elegant Victorian building on the beautiful Streatham Campus in Exeter. It was specially designed for the MStrat and students will have exclusive access to modern IT and AV facilities, as well as a fitted kitchen and shower facilities.

Careers

The MA Applied Security Strategy cohort is a diverse and talented group who together enrich the programme. Alumni on this course have pursued outstanding careers in government, the armed forces, the civil service, and in business.

Employer-valued skills 

In the MA Applied Security and Strategy programme, you'll gain more than just academic knowledge — you'll develop critical analytical and decision-making skills to tackle real-world challenges. Immersive exercises will nurture key knowledge, skills and behaviours including intellectual enquiry, problem solving skills, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, cultural competence and global citizenship. 

Career paths 

Through this programme, you will acquire the knowledge and skills essential for advancing in strategy and security related roles within government, public administration, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, transnational corporations, and private security and risk analysis firms. The knowledge you will develop will also set you up for success if you choose to further your education with a doctorate and embark on an academic career.

Career support 

As a University of Exeter student, you will also have access to the Career Zone, providing invaluable support and tailored guidance to help you prepare for your career after university.

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