What My Master’s in Security Studies is Really Like

Pursuing a Master's degree can reshape your life, especially in a vital field like international security. As I research geopolitics, defence strategies, and crisis management, I'm keen to share my journey and hopefully contribute to your decision of whether you want to pursue a master's!

The Nature of the Course

Studying international security is indeed quite challenging. Each module, most consisting of 15 credits or some holding 30 credits, might seem straightforward, but they are anything but. For example, I usually have to balance multiple deadlines while also collaborating on group projects and making time for my driving lessons. Although this workload can be intense, it feels more like an evolution from my undergraduate studies, pushing me deeper into crucial topics. I do feel overloaded sometimes, particularly with modules that require me to conduct interviews or have constant group meetings, but I find it fulfilling by the end of the day when I realise I've completed a lot.

The curriculum at my university is incredibly broad, covering everything from international treaties to contemporary security threats. For instance, a critical module delves into governing crises, where we analyze possible crises and states of emergencies, and we end up creating one of our own to 'solve' in a paper. The satisfaction derived from tackling the complex theories and applying them to real-world scenarios makes studying at the library worth it. I'm fortunate that my university library is spacious and filled with useful books and articles that I can use for my studies, and we have dedicated reading lists with links or the ability to loan books.

The Workload Challenge

Balancing a master's program can be quite difficult to juggle. The frequent coursework includes extensive readings and significant assignments that consistently challenge my time management skills. Each week feels like a race against the clock, pushing me to create detailed schedules to ensure I meet my academic and personal commitments. I use Google Calendar to ensure I have an idea of my events in the evenings and tasks in the days, and it helps me to set a reminder of when I want my coursework to be finished. As each seminar requires approximately 3 pre-readings, it's crucial to keep on top of the work and make an effort to understand these in full so that you don't fall behind.

What sets this program apart from an undergraduate degree is the depth of analysis required. For instance, in my MoD module, we have to conduct interviews ourselves and analyse the results, going on to use these in business and economic models. This detailed approach not only enhances my understanding but also tests my research capabilities, making it both rewarding and demanding. The focus is not only on academics but skills that will be used in the real world, which makes this feel fulfilling as a degree and something I will use to further my career.

Classroom Dynamics

One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the diverse backgrounds of my classmates. As a small course of about 15–18 students, our discussions are often filled with unique viewpoints that I might not have thought of otherwise. Our lecturers actively encourage debate in the seminars, allowing us to challenge each other's perspectives in a constructive way and further our critical thinking. As we're such a small group, it means that we have become tight-knit over the past few months due to consistent group work and meetings, making it a pleasant environment to exist in every day.

These discussions often revolve around current events, from the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine to emerging global terrorist networks. Connecting these events to theoretical frameworks makes our learning dynamic, and hearing my peers analyse the complexities of such situations adds depth to my own understanding of them and pushes me to think deeper about certain problems.

Acting as Course Representative

Being a course representative for a master's program is a significant responsibility that involves acting as a liaison between students and faculty. I am my course's representative alongside another student, and it has certainly improved my conversational skills and confidence when talking to superiors. I attend regular meetings with faculty and administration to discuss student issues and program improvements following the feedback from fellow students regarding their criticisms. This position has developed my leadership skills as I have to advocate for their needs and desires, learning to resolve issues that arise within the course or approaching a dispute with a lecturer politely and professionally.

My professionalism has helped me to build relationships with faculty and students, which can be beneficial for future career opportunities, and that is one of the main reasons I decided to apply for this role. It also enticed me due to the ability to improve my own skillset, as I was lacking confidence to speak in groups before I took the role, but now it feels far more natural! I'm certainly still nervous before speaking to big groups, but I have more confidence now! I also find it fulfilling to have a direct impact on the course structure for those in the upcoming years, and it pushes me to have a deeper understanding of challenges faced by my fellow students that I may not have thought of before.

However, balancing this role with academic responsibilities can be challenging. I'm grateful that my own university does not meet as often as others, which means it's less time-consuming than most. It does mean I have to create efficient time schedules for arranging feedback hours, emailing my lecturers, and preparing the notes for upcoming meetings, and Google Calendar is particularly useful for this. Managing expectations of both students and faculty can be difficult due to the need to be diplomatic and tactful on both sides, and I am still learning how to navigate this issue.

Just to go over it briefly (in case you're skimming! ), serving as a course representative for a master's program is a rewarding experience that offers numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. It allows you to make a meaningful contribution to your academic community while developing essential skills for your future career, although you need to think about the time commitments!

Networking Opportunities

When pursuing a master's degree, the networking opportunities are certainly something significant to think about. Attending seminars and lectures from industry professionals has provided insights into various career paths, and each event sparks new ideas to help me build connections within the community. Most lecturers, in my experience, are happy to discuss their careers and any opportunities or contacts they believe they might have.

For instance, I am planning to attend a convention featuring prominent security analysts discussing their experiences in the community. Engaging with these experts will hopefully give me the chance to discuss my career aspirations and create contact with someone who can give me tips and even opportunities. The energy at these gatherings is invigorating, and I know that for each one I attend, my desire to further my skills and ambition increases.

A Personal Reflection

My study set-up!

My master’s program in Security studies has been a whirlwind of challenges, but I've loved every moment. I'm still working through it until September 2025, and although the workload is heavy, the rewards are vast. If you're a prospective student considering your options, I recommend reflecting on what drives your interests. If you have a deep passion for your academic community and want to contribute, then, if you have the time, income, and ability, it would be worth pursuing a master's degree. The insights gained from a master's degree are well worth the investment of time and effort, although it does depend on your course and whether you think you'll use it in the future.

Stay tuned for more!