Countering Terrorism and Extremism with Foundation Year
BSc
Undergraduate with Foundation Year
September 2025, September 2026
Overview
Unpack the complex world of terrorism, extremism, and security in a course designed for curious, critical minds. At Canterbury Christ Church University, you'll dive into headline-making cases and investigate the deeper issues most people miss - questions of identity, inequality, power, and politics that shape how societies respond to threats.
From the global shockwaves of 9/11 to today’s fast-evolving risks, this course helps you make sense of the changing landscape of terrorism. You’ll explore how governments and communities react, what influences their decisions, and what happens when policy meets real-world challenges. Topics include international relations, ethics, risk, community resilience, and policing powers, examined through a lens that’s both critical and applied.
What sets this course apart is its hands-on approach. You’ll engage in practical simulations, such as the cutting-edge Hydra Suite, take on real case studies, and develop skills that go beyond textbooks. You’ll work alongside experts, including current and former professionals in counterterrorism and extremism, who bring real-world insight directly into the classroom.
Built on CCCU’s strong foundation in policing and security education, this degree encourages you to question everything, debate ideas in a collaborative space, challenge the status quo, and connect with students and staff from a range of backgrounds including sociology, criminology, law, forensic investigation, and politics.
Whether you're interested in a future in policing, intelligence, research, security, media, or specialist counterterrorism units, this course gives you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to make a real impact.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.
The Hydra experience allowed us to see how decisions unfold in real time. Having the opportunity to work in life-like situations improved my understanding and appreciation of the work that goes into combating terrorism.AliceGraduate
Entry requirements
112
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBC |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access | 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 Points |
The grades in this table provide an indication of what is required to study this course. If you have qualifications that are not present in the table or want to tell us more about you specific situation then please contact our friendly Course Enquiry Team.
Don’t meet these entry requirements?
If you do not meet these entry requirements, a foundation year is a great way of beginning your university journey. We recommend you speak to our Course Enquiries team who will advise on a route to study that fits you.
More information
Contact us
Module information
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Alongside the modules below you will choose from our new curriculum that will help you achieve student success, engage with contemporary topics and work with industry or the community.
As well as the core modules, you will also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. This will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module and staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular option module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
The academic year is divided into two semesters. In the first year, you will be given the opportunity to settle into University by undertaking three ‘microcredential’ modules right at the beginning of the year – you will be able to choose which ones you do. You will then do two more modules in each semester. In Year 2, you will do three modules in the first semester and two modules in the second semester. In Year 3, where we offer you optionality to specialise, you will undertake three modules in the first semester and two modules in the second semester.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical workshops. You will typically have around 12 contact hours per week. However, your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select and specific activities prepared for you.S
eminars in smaller groups will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. We have made sure that teaching is not only done in a classroom setting and you will take part in practical exercises throughout this course. In addition, you will meet with your personal academic tutor (PAT), who will be able to assist you with any queries or problems that you may have. They will also be able to signpost you to any of the University services should you need them.
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will continue learning through self-study. This involves keeping up to date with current affairs, reading journal articles and books, undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars.
Your module tutors will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
This is a full time course and so the expectation is that you will spend the equivalent of full time working hours dedicated to it. However, the way you manage these hours is up to you. You will have scheduled sessions (typically 12 hours per week) and in addition, there will be field trips and other structured activities you will be able to undertake. You will also be encouraged to think about extracurricular activities to boost your employability.
The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics and practitioners. They have a range of expertise and experience in policing, security, criminology, psychology, politics, and beyond.
All our team members hold doctoral and/or teaching qualifications. They are research-active and have experience in delivering research-informed teaching. You can find out more about the current teaching on our Meet the Team web page. You should note that members of the teaching team might change.
Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars. We also invite expert speakers from to provide you with insights from criminal justice professions.
More information about our teaching team can be found in the Meet the Team section of our school webpage.
Our course is delivered by practitioners and researchers who have worked in the field, making sure that the knowledge and skills you gain set you up for success in your future career. This allows us to provide knowledge of the most up to date strategies and careers in the police, National Crime Agency, Intelligence Agencies, The UK Border Force, Private Businesses, Global Risk Analysis Companies to name a few.Dr Katarina MozovaCourse Director
How you’ll be assessed
The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. All of your modules will embed 'formative' assessment strategies which allow you to gain feedback from your tutor and/or peers prior to submitting assessment you will get graded on. Some modules may also include practice formative assessments.
Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. You will also be able to gain formative feedback through discussions with a module leader or a personal academic tutor. You will be able to access centrally-run services (e.g. Study Skills Support) for more help with assessments.
There is a formal or 'summative' assessment for all of the modules. Assessment methods include a range of coursework and examination assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, or your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. Our summative assessments were designed with you at the centre – and so, they not only test for University level learning but also industry relevant skills.
Feedback
You will receive feedback on all practice and all formal coursework assessments. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.
The way you are assessed depends on the modules that you choose to take.
Your future career
On completion of your course, there are a range of routes open to you. Counter terrorism and anti extremism funding is continuously increasing. This is in recognition of the changing threat from terrorism and extremism and to ensure policing and security agencies have the resources needed to respond and keep the public safe. You could decide to apply to join the police through a graduate entry route. There are many roles relating to terrorism and extremism within policing, including building bridges and investigating risk within the community roles, or within specialist units. You could also apply for various graduate schemes within policing which can speed up your career progression and specialisation. A range of other agencies such as the National Crime Agency, Intelligence Agencies, The UK Border Force, Private Businesses, Global Risk Analysis Companies, Her Majesty's Armed Forces, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services, and the security services have their own approaches to countering terrorism and extremism.
You could choose to apply for jobs in these areas or you could choose to utilise your education within the criminal justice field, in the civil service, local government, community safety organisations, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, and the private sector security industry.
In addition, there are a number charitable and voluntary organisations working with the criminal justice sector and vulnerable groups, such as Victim Support, Mind, Shelter, Nacro, Prince’s Trust, Porchlight, Barnardo’s etc, offering suitable job opportunities.
The knowledge and skills that you will gain are transferable to a wide range of other careers.
Many of our students also choose to continue their education by undertaking postgraduate degrees with us or at other institutions before embarking on a career.
We host an annual Employability Fair where ouThe course provided me with great knowledge of concepts key to understanding the current landscape of terrorism, and beyond, as well as how we are responding to it. Thanks to the way in which the course allowed us to develop our practical skills, I am now in a career which I aspired to - working in intelligence for a key public sector organisation which directly oversees counter terrorism responses. r students can network with experts from a range of fields and careers and gain top tips for progressing to graduate roles.
Throughout your time studying us you will have access to our Careers and Enterprise team who offer a wide range of services and support to help you kick start your career and meet your goals.
The course provided me with great knowledge of concepts key to understanding the current landscape of terrorism, and beyond, as well as how we are responding to it. Thanks to the way in which the course allowed us to develop our practical skills, I am now in a career which I aspired to - working in intelligence for a key public sector organisation which directly oversees counter terrorism responses.LucyGraduate
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.
Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Industry links
To help your understanding the course will include a number of guest lectures, workshops and seminars. These will be delivered by people who are currently working in criminal justice areas or organisations. This allows you to have direct contact with professionals working in the field allowing you to gain insights into specific areas of the Criminal Justice system from people either currently practice or are undertaking research in this area. These guest sessions also provide an excellent opportunity to network with relevant professionals and potentially opens up opportunities for work experience or employment. We also invite individuals who have an experience that allows you to gain an insight into a specific aspect of crime, such as victims of crime, where appropriate and possible.
We have strong and long lasting links with policing, private and third sector organisations which enables you to not only gain input by them through guest lectures, but to also ensure that all you will learn is completely up to date. This also allows you opportunities for real life learning in a specific context, gaining invaluable skills for future employment.
We organise career events specifically tailored for our students. We bring in employers from a variety of backgrounds, some of whom are our own CCCU graduates.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
L441Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
*We are advertising this course as ‘subject to approval.’ When we add new courses or update existing courses, we advertise the course as ‘subject to approval’. We do this to let you know the University still needs to agree to run the course. It is rare for a course not to gain approval, but it is not guaranteed. There may be changes to course and module titles, content and assessment, but we will tell you about these if there is a change. You can still apply to study a course subject to approval. We have prepared some questions and answers to tell you more.