The Centre for the Study of Terrorism at the University of St. Andrews is pleased to offer an e-learning based MLitt in Terrorism Studies. Our ground-breaking new programme will seek to develop in its students an understanding on the latest thinking on terrorism.

The MLitt ( a Scottish taught masters degree) offers students the opportunity to develop and engage in a piece of systematic research in a selected area of Terrorism Studies. To develop their dissertation, students will progress their research question by building on the conceptual frameworks presented, using quantitative or qualitative methods where appropriate.

This postgraduate programme is available for both full and part-time study.

As the programme utilises both e-learning technologies as well as traditional teaching methods it is available for both on and off campus study.

Initially students register for the Post Graduate Diploma in Terrorism Studies subsequently transferring to the MLitt. It is not possible to register directly for the MLitt.

Course material is written under the supervision of course leaders by acknowledged world experts in the area

Closing Date

The closing date for online applications for the September 2013 intake is 30th April 2013. The link to the portal is -  https://portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/postgrad-application/ Select International Relations from the drop down menu and the available options will be visible. 

Please note, ALL supplementary documentation, including references, CV and personal statement must be received by Tuesday 30th April 2013 for consideration for the September start. Applications not completed by this date will not be considered.

"Lecturers always make themselves available to discuss any matter"

"The course material has been fantastic"

"I found all content on Moodle was wonderful, easy to access and understandable"

"I found that any professors/lecturers have had a huge amount of knowledge in their fields of study"

"(Staff ) very accessible and helpful"

"Very good flexible platform (Moodle)"

"Looking forward to the iPad version of the course"

The programme will seek to develop in its students:

• a critical understanding of the concept of terrorism and political violence within the context of a multidisciplinary approach to security studies

• knowledge and understanding of the principal social and psychological factors that influence the emergence, development, and abandonment of terrorism as a method of waging conflict

• an understanding and critical evaluation of the political context to contemporary terrorism

• a capacity to critically assess terrorist incidents around the world, examine selected approaches to counter-terrorism, and the development of new responses

• skills of literature search, the use of open source material, and an introduction to basic and principal elements of intelligence analysis

• skills in research design and analysis using qualitative and quantitative techniques

• The modules must be completed in the order outlined below

• Exemptions will not be allowed

Part time distance learning

• IR5901 - Fundamental Issues and Structures (30 Credits)
• IR5902 - Research Methods (30 Credits)
• IR5903 - Terrorism: How to Respond? (30 Credits)
• IR5920 - Elective module (30 Credits)
• IR5999 - Dissertation (60 Credits)

Full time distance learning

• IR5901 - Fundamental Issues and Structures (30 Credits)
• IR5902 - Research Methods (30 Credits)
• IR5903 - Terrorism: How to Respond? (30 Credits)
• IR5920 - Elective module (30 Credits)
• IR5999 - Dissertation (60 Credits)

Full time residential

• IR5901- Fundamental Issues and Structures (30 Credits)
• IR5902 - Research Methods (30 Credits)
• IR5007 - Terrorism and Liberal Democracy (30 Credits)
• IR5920 - Elective module (30 Credits)
• IR5999 - Dissertation (60 Credits)

Elective Module

Choose 3 electives sub-modules from a provided list. (10 credits each)

Please note that the available elective topics may change from year to year.

For session 2012/3 the following electives will be available:

• Critical Infrastructure Protection
• International Law
• Suicide Terrorism
• Maritime Irregular Activities: Terrorism, Piracy and Organised Crime
• Terrorism and the Internet
• Far Right Terrorism and Political Violence

Progression

• Progression from the Postgraduate Diploma to the MLitt requires an overall mark of 13.5.

• You will not be awarded the PgDip if you proceed to the MLitt. Assuming you make the required grade you can choose to either graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma or continue on and graduate with an MLitt.

All students are initially enrolled onto the Postgraduate Diploma in Terrorism Studies. After completing the four core modules of the Postgraduate Diploma students will be permitted to progress to to the MLitt if they achieve an overall mark of 13.5. If this mark is not achieved students will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma only.

Those who successfully complete the MLitt will not be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma.

Part-time students may take one or two modules per year.

Full-time students take 4 modules per year.

Concurrently

No, you must make a final decision within one month of your initial decision.

IR5901 Fundamental Issues and Structures (30 credits)

Module Co-ordinators: Peter Lehr and Orla Lynch
Module author: Prof. A.P. Schmid, in collaboration with Dr. P. Lehr


This module will cover the following fundamental issues:

• Terrorism as a field of study: emergence and evolution.
• Definitional, conceptual, typological and theoretical issues.
• History of Terrorism
• Ideology, Religion and Terrorism
• Terrorist Organizations and Campaigns: stand-alone terrorism and terrorism combined with guerrilla warfare and political party work
• Terrorism and Democracy: legal and human rights issues.
• Terrorism and Repression: counter-insurgency and counter-terror
• Terrorism and Domestic and International Conflict: asymmetric warfare and humanitarian issues
• Terrorism and Crime: linkage and law enforcement issues. Terrorism and Communication: propaganda and psychological warfare

Structures to be covered are:

• Inside terrorist organisations and their support groups: Profiles of the most active terrorist groups – case studies;
• The structure of the international system and international counter-terrorist measures;
• Victims of terrorism and their national and transnational support organizations.

IR5902 Research methods (30 credits)

Module Co-ordinators: Rashmi Singh and Javier Argomaniz

Module authors: Dr. Ethel Quayle and Dr. John McCarthy


The broad aim of this module is to provide students with sufficient research skills to identify, read and understand the professional literature, and to undertake their own research activities. It will introduce critical elements of research methodology, and although emphasizing qualitative approaches, it introduces and develops skills in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Topics covered include:

• Research in Terrorism Studies
• Approaches to Social Research
• Complexity in Social Sciences
• Formulating research questions and developing research projects
• The case study approach
• Existing documents and archives
• Collecting qualitative data – observing
• Interviewing
• Surveys and questionnaires
• Experiments
• Describing/analysing quantitative data
• Describing/analysing qualitative data
• Integrating and representing data
• Report writing
• Evaluating research

Terrorism: How to Respond ? (30 credits)

Module Co-ordinators: Dr Robert Lambert

Module Authors: Dr Robert Lambert


The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of the radicalisation process and responses to it. A critical feature of this module will be a focus on data-driven research in providing the evidence with which we can build a clearer picture of the complex process of becoming involved, remaining involved, and leaving behind involvement in terrorism. The implications of these issues for the development and assessment of counter terrorism initiatives will be presented.

Electives (30 credits)


Module co-ordinators: Javier Argomaniz and Rashmi Singh

This module gives students the opportunity to apply the conceptual and theoretical knowledge gained in the other modules to selected areas of application reflecting, where possible, the students own interests and needs.

In 2011/12 students will choose from the following:

• Critical Infrastructure Protection
• International Law
• Suicide Terrorism
• Maritime Irregular Activities: Terrorism, Piracy and Organized Crime
• Examining Radicalisation and Counter-Radicalisation in the UK
• Terrorism and the Internet

Please note that the available elective topics may change from year to year and the choices available reflect the expertise of the CSTPV staff.

Dissertation (60 credits)

A 15,000 word dissertation completes the requirement for the MLitt.

Students will be assigned a personal supervisor, who will advise on the choice of a research topic, and provide guidance throughout the research process.

Before commencement of the MLitt., all students will require approval from the Dissertation Committee for their proposed research.

To achieve this, a preliminary submission of a title, a brief abstract, description of the theme/topic under investigation, preliminary outline of major arguments or hypotheses, details of methods to be used, a bibliography of sources under consultation, and resource requirements will be submitted for approval by the Dissertation Committee.

Dissertations involving human subjects will also be referred to an ethics committee.

'Torture and Killing in Counter-Terrorism: A Study of South African Police Testimony before the Republic of South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission'

'Poacher Turned Game Keeper: The Use of Indigenous Forces in Catalyzing a Grassroots Reconciliation Program in Southern Afghanistan'

'The Symbolic Importance of Salafi-Jihadist Beheading Videos in Iraq 2004'

'Asbat al-Ansar – The Evolution of a Violent Islamist Group'

'A Comparative Analysis of the Crime-Terror Nexus in Nigeria and Mauritania/Mali'

'Factors the Influence Terrorists' Credit Taking Behaviour'

'Nationalist/Separatist Terrorism: Targets, Tactics and CT'

'Recategorizing Eco-Terrorism: An examination of targeting, tactical and communication methods'

'Child Soldiers: Children as Rational Actors'

'The Old Shabaabs' Club: Takfiri Networking'

'Securitization of Piracy: Are there Implications for Maritime Terrorism? A case study of Somalia'

'Radicalization in the Middle East and North Africa: Processes, Circumstances and Events'

'The Role of Theology in Forming Islamist Social Identity'

'How Potent in the Threat of CBRN Terrorism?'

'Examining the Growth of Radical Islam in Ireland and the Implications for European Security'

'Al Qaeda Collaboration and Training in the FATA/NWFP'

'Counterterrorism in America: Grand Strategy since the Cold War'

Core Modules (September 2011)

• Fundamental Issues and Structures : Two (4000 word) essays and a preliminary exercise.
• Research methods : One (5000 word essay) and one project
• Processes and Responses : Two (4000 word essays)
• 3 Elective Modules : One (3000 word) essay per selected topic. NB. The structure of assessment may differ slightly for full time students.

For full time students a module will take one semester to complete, part-time students will complete the module in 9 months.

There will be no module exemptions.

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MLitt Dissertation

60 credit Dissertation - 100%

All modules are assessed through essay or project. There are no written exams.

The Postgraduate Diploma/MLitt is available for both full and part-time students.

Full time students must complete the four modules of the Post Graduate Diploma in 9 months with the MLitt dissertation taking a further three months.

The next intake for this residential program will commence in September 2011 and will be delivered via mixed mode teaching. This involves traditional teaching methods in the form of tutorials alongside e-teaching methods.

This innovative method of teaching allows flexibility for students and access to a wider range of teaching facilities. The PgDip/ MLitt is semesterised and students will take four modules per year.

Part-time students will complete the programme in either two or four years. Each module is equivalent to one quarter of the workload of a full time 1 year course.

In both modes of study students may opt to leave the programme with the Post Graduate Diploma in Terrorism Studies.

Full-time

1.5 hours tutorial per module /week plus advertised office hours

Part-time

1 hour tutorial* per module per month plus advertised office hours


*Wherever possible we attempt to timetable the tutorials by time zones.

Full-time and Part-time students follow the same course content and materials but there may be some minor assessment differences. Full-time residential students attend tutorials on campus with distance learners attending via video conferencing. All students are taught through online and e-learning systems. Online tutorial support includes regular web conferencing, direct email contact with tutors, podcasts of interviews with area experts and access to most course materials, including electronic journals, through the University’s e-learning platform.

Part time students are advised that they will spend a minimum of 8 hours a week per module.

Students have regular tutorials for each of their modules. For full-time students there is the choice of attending the tutorial in person or participating online. Part-time students will attend tutorials online. Most online tutorials for part-timers are conducted out of office hours.



CSTPV uses the WebEx conferencing system for conducting tutorials. This allows the tutorial to be conducted with audio and/or video communication. Tutorials are used to discuss academic papers and to make presentations.

WebEx is a cross platform system and supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX and AIX Operating Systems.

To use WebEX you will need access to your computer and a telephone line. If you wish to use the video as well as the audio you must have a web camera attached to your computer.

All calls charged using the WebEX systems from a landline are charged at a local rate.

The Master of Letters (MLitt) degree is typically only awarded by the ancient universities. From their inception, teaching at universities was only carried out by people who were properly qualified, as with other professions or guilds: faculties in universities were organised as guilds. In the same way that a carpenter would attain the guild status of a ‘master carpenter’ when fully qualified, a teacher would become a ‘master’ when he had been licensed by his profession — the teaching guild. Today Master of Letters degrees are in fact the same level as Masters in Arts from English Universities or Masters of Science from Scottish Universities.

The MLitt (Master of Letters) degrees offered by the University of St Andrews are recognised the world over. In the last decade, there has been a huge increase in the availability of postgraduate degrees, making it harder for applicants and employers to recognise a quality degree. The MLitt nomenclature in our postgraduate programme will help you stand out from the crowd and also inform employers that you studied at one of Europe’s most ancient and prestigious universities, at an institution which prides itself on the integrity, and value of its taught postgraduate masters degrees.

If students leave the programme after they have completed the four core module but not the dissertation they will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Terrorism Studies.

A Post Graduate Diploma is typically a qualification that follows on from a first degree (a bachelors degree or (in the Scottish system) a Masters degree). Although the Post Graduate Diploma in Terrorism Studies has an entry route for people who do not have a first degree, the level of the course is post graduate in character. That means that as well as dealing with complex conceptual issues, students are expected to engage in individual reading and research outside and beyond the course material, using the library and other resources available.

In contrast the Certificate in Terrorism Studies is a highly structured and largely self contained introductory course, which whilst it does address complex conceptual issues, does not require the level of analysis and understanding, nor the degree of independent work, expected in a post graduate programme. The dissertation element of the programme undertaken for the MLitt is "a substantial paper that is typically based on original research and that gives evidence of the candidate's mastery both of her own subject and of scholarly method." The dissertation will show that the writer knows the subject, the key facts and different points of view in it and also advances a point of view resulting from original research.

Full details of all university fees can be found here:

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/money/Tuitionfees/feestable/

The University has introduced a Recent Graduate Discount, designed to recognise the loyalty of our current/ recent students

Further details of the scheme can be found here:

You should make your application as soon as possible as demand for places on the programme is high. The sooner the application is submitted the sooner you will receive notification of the result.


As well as your completed application form you will also be required to submit the following:

• a written statement of no more that 1000 words of how you believe the programme will enhance your professional development.

• A note to say that you have read the system requirements and you will have access to a system which can run the programmes and browsers detailed on our website.

• A sample of written work, approximately 2000 words in length. If you do not already possess a suitable example of work then you may submit a 2000 word piece on "Terrorism is a political term". This is for academic evaluation and should demonstrate your ability to reference and cite sources.

Online applications can be made from this link.


Please note that decisions are taken by the CSTPV Postgraduate Committee and we can only advise on acceptance and the application route applicable once we have received a completed application form. Applications will not be considered until all requested documentation has been received and it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all necessary documentation has been provided. We will initially advise on receipt of the application if anything else is required to complete the application but will not send out reminders that items are still outstanding.

Closing Date

The closing date for online applications for the September 2013 intake is 30th April 2013. The link to the portal is -  https://portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/postgrad-application/ Select International Relations from the drop down menu and the available options will be visible. 

Please note, ALL supplementary documentation, including references, CV and personal statement must be received by 30th April 2013 for consideration for the September start. Applications not completed by this date will not be considered.

Financing Your Studies: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/financialinformation/financing

New Scholarships: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/financialinformation/financing/newscholarships

Funding By School: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/financialinformation/financing/fundingbyschool/

Overseas Awards: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/financialinformation/financing/awards/

UK Research Councils: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/financialinformation/financing/researchcouncil/

UK/EU Awards: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/financialinformation/financing/ukeuawards/

Recent Graduate Discount: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/financialinformation/financing/recentgraduate/

PSAS (SAAS Postgraduate): http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/financialinformation/financing/PSASSAASPostgraduate/

For those members of the UK Armed Forces who wish to apply for funding under the MOD's ELCAS scheme please contact them directly for further information at :

http://www.enhancedlearningcredits.com/mssql/index.html

There are three routes for admission to the programme.

Applicants to the full-time programme are eligible to apply through routes 1 or 2 while entrants to the part-time programme may also enter through route 3, as well as through routes 1 and 2.


Route 1: an honours degree at 2.1 level in Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences or other relevant discipline from a U.K. university or its foreign equivalent or other appropriate qualification


Route 2: an honours degree at 2.1 or equivalent in any other discipline
and the Certificate in Terrorism Studies or equivalent qualification.


Route 3: Appropriate professional or other relevant experience and evidence of prior learning deemed by the CSTPV Postgraduate Committee to be broadly equivalent to Routes 1 or 2. This will generally involve a pass in the Certificate in Terrorism Studies and may involve other requirements.

Students entering through this route may only take Fundamental Issues and Structures (module 1) in the first year and will be required to attain a pass of at least 13.5 before being allowed to progress to the other modules.



General Admission Requirements:

• All applicants will be requested to demonstrate how the programme will lead to professional enhancement through a supporting statement and will be required to provide references.

• Overseas students whose first language is not English must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English as well as meeting the other entrance requirements. The IELTS level required for this programme is 6.5.

• Students may be advised to complete the Certificate in Terrorism Studies if they have not already done so.

• Candidates' attention will be drawn to the Faculty regulation which normally requires students to possess GCSE maths or equivalent; candidates who do not possess this qualification will be invited to apply for the requirement to be waived, giving good reason for their request

If you hold a non-UK degree the following are acceptable equivalents to a 2.1 honours degree. For further information on comparisons between degrees please visit

Afghanistan: Four year Bachelor’s degree with 85% overall
Albania: Kandidat I Shkencave with an overall mark of 8
Argentina: a first degree with average marks of 8 or 9 depending on undergraduate institution
Armenia: a Magistros with overall mark of 80% or GPA of 3.5
Australia: an upper second class honours bachelor's degree
Austria: a Diplomstudium, Bachelor’s or Magister with 2.2 or better
Azerbaijan: Specialist Diploma with grades of 9 or above
Bahrain: a Master's degree with excellent grades
Bangladesh: Master’s degree with exceptional grades
Belarus: Specialist Diploma or Master’s degree with overall marks of 4
Belgium: the Licence/ Licenciaat/ Maîtrise or Bachelor's (since 2004) with 70% or avec distinction
Bolivia: a Licenciado with overall 'distinguido' or 77%
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja with grades of at least 9
Brazil: the Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with 8 or 'muito bom'
Brunei: Four year degree from the University of Brunei Darussalam with second class honour (upper division)
Bulgaria: Bachelor’s degree (started after 2001) or Master’s degree with grades of 5 or above
Cameroon: Diplôme d'Ingénieur or Maîtrise with overall mark of Très Bien
Canada: A good Bachelor's degree with B+/80%/GPA 3.6
Chile: a Licenciado with a minimum overall mark of 5.0 or 70% overall
China: a Bachelor's degree from a prestigious university with an overall mark of 85%
Colombia: Licenciado or Professional Title with overall mark of 4.0
Costa Rica: a Licenciado with four years' study and an overall mark of 85% or 8.5, or a Maestría with five years' study and marks of 80% or 8.0 overall
Croatia: A Baccaleureus (completed after 2005) with a mark of 4 or above
Cyprus: either a Bachelor's degree or a Ptychion from the University of Cyprus, with 7.5/10
Czech Republic: Pre-2001, the Magistr with 'velmi dobre'. Post-2001, a Bachelor's degree with velmi dobre, B or 1.5 overall
Denmark: Bachelor’s degree with an overall mark of 10. Alternatively, a Master’s or Candidatus Magisterii with an average mark of 9
Dominican Republic: Maestria with grades of B, 80% or 3 out of 4
Ecuador: Licenciado or Professional Title or Maestria with 80% or 8.0
Egypt: a Bachelor's degree with 85% in science disciplines or 90% in others. From the AUC we require a minimum GPA of 3.5
Estonia: A Bakalaurusekraad (started after 2005) with grade of 5,A or suureprärane or a Magistrikaad/master's with 'väga hea', 4 or Very good
Ethiopia: Master’s degree with overall mark of B+ or GPA of 3.5
Fiji/University of South Pacific Vanuatu: Satisfactory completion of a Master’s degree
Finland: a Kandidaattii with good grades. Students graduating between 1993 and 2005 are required to hold the Magister with good grades
France: a Licence with 13/20
Georgia: Magistris Khariskhi with overall grade of 5
Germany: Diplom, Staatsexamen, Bachelor’s or Magister with good grades (2.2 or better). We will consider you if you have taken the Vordiplom or other intermediate qualification, provided that you have also taken a third year (at least two semesters) of substantive study beyond that point
Ghana: Honours degree from prestigious institution wih grades of 65%, B+ or a GPA of 3.75
Greece: a Ptychion, with marks not below 7 out of 10
Guatemala: Licenciado obtained after four years with overall mark of 85%
Honduras: Licenciado or Professional Title with an overall mark of 90% or 4/5
Hong Kong: Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with 2:1
Hungary: Alapfokozat (started after 2004) with cum laude
India: a Bachelor's degree with high First Class Honours. Required overall grade of either 60%-70%, (depending on undergraduate institution) or a GPA of above 5.0 on a 7.0 scale from an AIU recognised institution. Honours and Special courses are advantageous but not essential
Indonesia: a Magister with overall grade of B+ or GPA 3.5. Applicants who have achieved exceptional grades in the Sarjana may also be considered
Iran: Licence or Karshensai with overall grade of A, 4 or 17/20
Iraq: Master’s degree with 85% from a university
Ireland: a Bachelor's Honours degree with 2:1 or above
Israel: a Bachelor's degree with overall marks of 85%
Italy: Laurea with 106/110
Jamaica: Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with 2:1 or above
Japan: a good first degree with a GPA of 3.3, B+, 76% or above
Jordan: Bachelor’s degree from University of Jordan with overall grade of A
Kazakhstan: The Magister with an overall grade of 4
Kenya: Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with a 2:1 or above
Kuwait: a Master's degree with very good grades
Kyrgyzstan: Magister/Specialist Diploma with an overall mark of 4.0 or above
Latvia: four year Bakalauras (started after 2000) with grades of Excellent/9 or a second cycle Magistrs/master's degree with 8/Very Good
Lebanon: Maîtrise with overall mark of 85% or above
Lithuania: the four year Bakalauras (started after 2000) with grades of 9/Excellent or a Magistra/
Luxembourg: Bachelor’s degree (when started after 2003) from the University of Luxembourg with 50-60 or très Bien
FYR Macedonia: a magistar with overall grades of 9
Malaysia: A Bachelor’s degree with a 2:1 or GPA 3.5
Malta: A four year Bachelor’s degree with 70%, 2A or Upper Second Class overall
Mexico: a Licenciado with very good grades (muy bien+)
Netherlands: a second level doctoral programme (drs/ir/mr) or bachelor degree (when started after 2002) with grades of 7, good or goed
New Zealand: an Upper Second Class Honours Bachelor's degree
Norway: a Bachelor’s degree with B/Very Good or Candidatus/Candidata Magisterri with 2.5
Pakistan: Four year Bachelor’s degree with overall marks of 75%, GPA 3.5
Peru: a Licenciado (four years) with grades of 15 or above
Philippines: a Master's degree with grades of 1.75 or A-
Poland: a Bachelor’s degree (when started after 2006) or the Magister with overall grade B/4+
Portugal: a Licenciado/Licenciatura/DESE normally with average marks above 16
Romania: a Diploma de Licenta (when started after 2005) with grades of 9/10 or the Diploma di Studii Aprodundate with 9 or above
Russian Federation: a Magistr with good grades (4/5)
Saudi Arabia: a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree (started after 2004) with 85%
Serbia: Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja from recognized university with marks of 9 or Magistarska Dimploma with 8 or above
Singapore: a Bachelor’s degree with 2:1
Slovak Republic: a Magister with good grades (vel' mi dobrý)
Slovenia: a Univerzitetni Diplomirani with six years' study and grades of 9/10. Students who have completed four years' study can be considered with exceptional marks
Spain: a Licenciado, normally with a grade of 8, or 2.5 on the 0-4 scale
Sweden: a Magisterexamen with at least 90 credits at VG
Switzerland: a Bachelor's degree, Diplom or Lizentiat or Staatsdiplom/Diplôme d'Etat with grades of 5/6, 2.2/5, 8 out of 10 or gut, bien, bene, good
Taiwan: a bachelor's degree with overall marks of 80% or a GPA of 3.7 for applicants from a 'National' university. From other institutions, we require a Master’s
Thailand: a Bachelor’s degree from a prestigious institution with grades of B+, 3.5/4 or very good
Turkey: the Lisans Diplomasi with an average mark of 70% or a GPA of between 3.4 and 3.5
Ukraine: a Dyplom Magistra with grades of 4 or above
United Arab Emirates: a Master's degree with overall marks of 85% or a GPA of 3.5
Uruguay: an overall mark of 8.0 or 65% overall in the Licenciado
USA: BS, BA or JD with a GPA of 3.5
Uzbekistan: A Magister/Specialist Diploma with an overall mark of 4.0/5 or 80%
Venezuela: The Licenciado with an overall mark of 8.0
Vietnam: Master’s degree/Thac si with an overall mark of 7.0
Yemen: Master’s degree with a mark of 90% overall/A/4/Excellent
Zambia: Master’s degree from the University of Zambia with marks of A or 2.0
Zimbabwe: Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with 2:1, 65% or B++

Previous professional experience may be taken into consideration in the absence of academic qualifications. This is called entry through "Route 3". Please see the section on "What are the entrance requirements?" for further details.

IELTS is an internationally recognised test of English Language ability and is often required by UK universities to measure if a potential student’s English is appropriate for entry onto a particular degree course. There are IELTS test centres throughout the world and details of these and the exam itself may be found at http://www.ielts.org/. Students must leave a minimum of three months between tests.

There are four papers in the exam — reading, writing, speaking and listening and candidates must sit all parts. They are given a grade for each individual paper and then an overall average grade. The highest possible mark is 9, the lowest 1. Speaking and writing are marked in full bands, so students receive grades of 5 or 6, for example. Reading and listening are marked in half bands, so students receive grades of 5.5, 6.0 or 6.5, for example. A UK university will ask for a specific overall mark but may also ask the student to achieve a particular mark on one or more of the papers. For example, a student might be asked for an overall grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in writing. The IELTS level required for the Mitt/PgDip in Terrorism Studies programme is 6.5.

Note also that http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/services/elt/ is the home page of the University of St Andrews English Language Teaching Centre, which provides high quality English language and study skills training.

As will be seen from the University's application form it is usual practice for an application to a postgraduate programme to contain two academic referees. However it is recognised that for many applicants to the PgDip/MLitt in Terrorism Studies this may prove difficult or impossible. It is therefore acceptable for applicants to provide 2 referees from their professional background (e.g line manager / commanding officer).

Please note that it is the applicants responsibility to request references from referees and when doing so should provide each referee with a copy of the referee reference form which is available for download as a pdf from here.

When completing your application form you will see space for the inclusion of a CSU reference number. This only applies to applications made through the Prospects Graduate Careers website and is not required when making a direct application to the university.

Once accepted onto the programme a full reading list will be provided.

The PgDip/MLitt in Terrorism Studies will be delivered through the Moodle elearning platform whilst online tutorials will be provided through the WebEx conferencing system.




Students will be expected to participate in discussion forums, video/ audio conferencing and online assessments amongst other internet based activities. It is therefore axiomatic that e-learning courses place a premium on efficient IT systems. Due to issues with firewalls and restricted user privileges workplace IT systems are often ill-suited for the purpose. If you intend to use a work place computer you must ensure with your own IT department that you are able to install and run the various applications needed to access the course material. The University is unable to give technical help with regard to issues affecting company/external IT systems.

It is often preferable to use a home PC but you should ensure that it is of a reasonable standard as you will encounter problems if they are old or of poor quality.

Before starting your studies you must ensure that you meet the following minimum standards detailed in the section following.

General

• PC - XP, 2003,Vista, Windows 7

• Apple Mac - Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), 10.6 (Snow Leopard), 10.7(Lion)

• Internet connection - Broadband or ISDN recommended

• Email account - all students are provided by a university email account which will be used in all communication.

• Processor - Core 2 Duo or later

• Sound - Soundcard, headphones or speakers

• Printer - Monochrome or colour

• Web browser - See below for further details

• Plug-ins & settings -See below for further details

• Software MS Office 97 (or later) or an office suite compatible with MS Word
• Telephone

Internet Browsers

Moodle and WebEx will work in any modern web browser however there are occasionally features that work better in some browsers than in others. Currently, the best recommendation we have is to use the latest version of the Firefox (http://firefox.com) or Chrome (https://www.google.com/chrome) browser. Users using Internet Explorer 8 and earlier may find content does not behave as expected and are advised to upgrade to a later version.

Your browser should also have both cookies and javascript enabled. These are typically enabled by default, but if you think these settings might need enabling, check the documentation for your particular browser for how to do this.


Plug-Ins

You may need one or more of the plug-ins listed below. Browsers will generally automatically download any plug-in required by a particular page.

Windows Media Player
Play video and audio


QuickTime
View QuickTime video


Flash
Animation and interactive content. Please note that the Chrome browser has Adobe Flash Player built in.


Adobe Reader
View, navigate, and print Adobe PDF files across all major computing platforms. Please note that Mac users may well prefer to use the built in Preview application rather than use Adobe Reader.

If you are a full-time /on campus student you will have access to the following:

Wireless networking is provided throughout the University for St Andrews students and staff with individual laptops. Click here for details, including configuration information.

The University of St Andrews also provides computer classrooms and labs for all students to use.

Locations and opening times (many 24–hours) for computing facilities throughout the university can be found on the IT Services web pages. A range of software is included on the machines, depending on the area.

St Andrews, one of the oldest university towns in the UK, has a population of between 15,000 and 20,000 people. The town is situated close to Dundee its nearest larger city and is also about an hour’s bus journey from Scotland's capital of Edinburgh.

The main University of St Andrews website includes more about both the town and history of the University. Another link is http://www.explore-st-andrews.com/ where you will find further information about the town and local area.

See also the article in Fife Today (8 May 2008)