COURSE CURRICULUM

The Security Studies bachelor’s program at Leiden University is a three-year interdisciplinary degree designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyse and address contemporary security and safety challenges. In the first year, students receive a broad introduction to security issues in modern society, exploring different threats, vulnerabilities, and the actors involved at local, national, regional, and global levels. Case studies, such as Syria and Fukushima, provide real-world contexts for understanding complex security problems. Students also develop essential academic and professional skills, including critical thinking, research, writing, communication, teamwork, intercultural competence, leadership, and organisation. Small-group Skills Labs allow students to practice analysing texts, constructing arguments, giving and receiving feedback, and developing leadership abilities in an interactive and collaborative environment.The second year focuses on strategies to protect society’s vital interests and ensure stability, welfare, and prosperity. Students study three key security challenges—Terrorism & Counter-terrorism, Cyber Threats, and War & Peacebuilding—alongside foundational themes such as Law and Security and the Economics of Security. Learning combines plenary lectures with interactive Course Labs, where students deepen their understanding of the material through discussion, exercises, and applied problem-solving. This approach ensures students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical insights into security and safety issues.In the third year, students have flexibility to tailor their studies according to their academic or professional goals. Options include studying abroad, completing an internship, following a minor at Leiden or another university, and choosing electives that match individual interests. The program concludes with an individual bachelor’s thesis, allowing students to conduct independent research, integrate their knowledge, and present evidence-based solutions to a security-related problem.Graduates of the Security Studies program are prepared for careers in policy-making, international organisations, security analysis, crisis management, and related fields. They gain the critical thinking, research, and practical skills needed to understand, anticipate, and respond to contemporary security challenges in a complex and interconnected world.