Objectives and competences

Security is one of the most important social and political concerns of recent decades. The reasons for this interest do not seem to be circumstantial. Rather, security is a structural element in our models of society, and is starting to be widely recognized as such by many social actors and in academic sectors. As a result, there is an increasing demand for professionalization and knowledge in this area, which has given rise to a need for training and research.
From an academic perspective, current training needs go beyond the areas of professional expertise and are aimed at higher levels of a clearly university profile. Training is required to complete cycles of knowledge on the strategic management of policies, organisations and resources in security fields. Based on a common core focused on leadership and strategy design, three specializations are offered: Public Security, Civil Protection and Emergencies, and Corporate Security.

Through these studies, the aim is to train professionals in the area of strategic security management, that is, people who have worked on leadership and communication skills, the ethics of responsibility, the organisation of systems and strategic planning. All of these elements mean that the qualified person is initially qualified to manage a complex organization.

Basic information

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Law
Branch of knowledge
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits60
Number of places available30
Length of course1 academic year
Language(s) of instruction50 % Catalan - 50 % Spanish
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2024-2025
CoordinationXAVIER TORRENS LLAMBRICH
E-mailmaster.seguretat@ub.edu
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentYes
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
Bridging coursesYes
Specializations
  • Corporate Security
  • Emergencies and Civil Protection
  • Open Pathway
  • Public Security

Objectives and competences

Objectives

Basic competences




  • Capacity to demonstrate knowledge forming the basis of original thinking in the development or application of ideas, typically in a research context.

  • Capacity to apply the knowledge acquired to problem-solving in new or relatively unknown environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of studies.

  • Capacity to integrate knowledge and tackle the complexity of formulating judgements based on incomplete or limited information, giving due consideration to the social and ethical responsibilities that are implicit in their application.

  • Capacity to communicate knowledge and conclusions and the grounds on which these conclusions have been reached to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a clear and unambiguous manner

  • Capacity for ongoing self-directed and independent learning.



 



General competences




  • Capacity to write reports and statements on security problems.

  • Capacity to organize and plan academic activities and practical applications.

  • Ethical commitment to the management of security and emergencies.

  • Capacity to identify biases, stereotypes and gender roles in security problems, as well as gender discrimination.

  • Critical reasoning and commitment to the plurality and diversity of social realities.



 



Specific competences




  • Capacity to identify security threats and prepare responses in different contexts and situations.

  • Capacity to identify problems and risks that could result in the legal and social responsibility of organisations, and assess the probability and magnitude of the impact.

  • Holistic understanding of security problems: to identify dimensions for an assessment of the situation and, if necessary, the proposal of solutions.

  • Capacity to plan situations that involve the collaboration and action of various actors.

  • Capacity to describe and apply protocols to decision-making in the strategic processes of security organisations.

  • Capacity to know how to effectively communicate security-related problems and solutions.

  • Capacity to identify the right tools and strategies to promote the personal and group development of the members of an organization.

  • Capacity to relate information and knowledge to draw up security organizations' policies and plans of action.

  • Capacity to draw up and assess security and emergency plans using methodological and regulatory procedures.

  • Capacity to relate emergency situations with the consequent management to return to normality.

  • Capacity to assess problems generated by the new architecture of the internet and the limits of fundamental rights.

  • Capacity to recognize the insecurity that could be caused by the globalization of the economy and the regulatory role of government institutions.

  • Capacity to design and implement research projects and to apply scientific methodologies in the field of security.

Competences

Basic competences

  • Capacity to demonstrate knowledge forming the basis of original thinking in the development or application of ideas, typically in a research context.
  • Capacity to apply the knowledge acquired to problem-solving in new or relatively unknown environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of studies.
  • Capacity to integrate knowledge and tackle the complexity of formulating judgements based on incomplete or limited information, giving due consideration to the social and ethical responsibilities that are implicit in their application.
  • Capacity to communicate knowledge and conclusions and the grounds on which these conclusions have been reached to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a clear and unambiguous manner
  • Capacity for ongoing self-directed and independent learning.

General competences

  • Capacity to write reports and statements on security problems.
  • Capacity to organize and plan academic activities and practical applications.
  • Ethical commitment to the management of security and emergencies.
  • Capacity to identify biases, stereotypes and gender roles in security problems, as well as gender discrimination.
  • Critical reasoning and commitment to the plurality and diversity of social realities.

Specific competences

  • Capacity to identify security threats and prepare responses in different contexts and situations.
  • Capacity to identify problems and risks that could result in the legal and social responsibility of organisations, and assess the probability and magnitude of the impact.
  • Holistic understanding of security problems: to identify dimensions for an assessment of the situation and, if necessary, the proposal of solutions.
  • Capacity to plan situations that involve the collaboration and action of various actors.
  • Capacity to describe and apply protocols to decision-making in the strategic processes of security organisations.
  • Capacity to know how to effectively communicate security-related problems and solutions.
  • Capacity to identify the right tools and strategies to promote the personal and group development of the members of an organization.
  • Capacity to relate information and knowledge to draw up security organizations' policies and plans of action.
  • Capacity to draw up and assess security and emergency plans using methodological and regulatory procedures.
  • Capacity to relate emergency situations with the consequent management to return to normality.
  • Capacity to assess problems generated by the new architecture of the internet and the limits of fundamental rights.
  • Capacity to recognize the insecurity that could be caused by the globalization of the economy and the regulatory role of government institutions.
  • Capacity to design and implement research projects and to apply scientific methodologies in the field of security.

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

The master's degree is designed for students who are interested in many facets of security. Therefore, it seems logical that applicants will generally be graduates in security who could discover in this qualification leadership and strategic planning, and reinforce the most advanced methodology and contents in terms of the types of security that are addressed. However, this is not the only potential profile of applicant. Due to the cross-cutting nature of the subject area, this is a master degree that is particularly suitable for students in the area of social sciences: graduates in law, management and public administration, criminology, sociology, anthropology, business administration and management, political science and administration, social psychology. At the same time, these are studies that must be interesting for professionals in the area of security who are taking on responsibilities or want to take on responsibilities in management and direction in their organizations or want to gain further knowledge in this area.

Access requirements and conditions

General requirements
Students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:

  • Official Spanish university degree.

  • A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.

  • A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Specific requirements
The master's degree Coordination Committee is responsible for admissions. It may, in exceptional circumstances, evaluate the suitability of students who hold a qualification that allows them to access a university master's degree but does not have social science or law content or cover technical aspects associated with emergencies (such as engineers and other courses mentioned above) who can provide evidence of three years of work in one of the professional bodies that is fully dedicated to security (fire service; local, autonomous community or state police; civil protection; rural wardens; emergency control rooms; and the military).

In addition, students can access the course with an equivalent qualification acquired from an education system outside of the European Higher Education Area, without needing to request official recognition, once the University has checked that the level of training is equivalent to that provided by the corresponding Spanish official university qualifications and that it qualifies the holder to access official postgraduate courses. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been officially recognized as equivalent to a Spanish degree, and it does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Pre-enrolment

Calendar

4 February-30 June 2025

Notifications of decisions: 14 April.
Notifications of decisions: 14 July.

Notes:

  • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
  • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Required documentation

Selection criteria

The selection process is based on the following criteria:

  1. CV. Candidates must submit a curriculum vitae that presents their academic and professional pathway (10 points). Credit will be given for the following aspects:
    • academic record (5 points)
    • professional experience associated with the content of the master's degree (3 points)
    • additional training related to the content of the master's degree (2 points)
  2. Statement of interest. Candidates must submit a written text explaining why they want to take the master's degree (3 points).
  3. Level B2 or equivalent in English (1 point).

 

The Admission Committee may request that candidates attend a personal interview to complete the evaluation of their suitability for the master's degree.

Notification

Successful candidates must pay a fee of '300 to reserve their place on the course.

Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned


Schedules

Course curriculum

Subjects and course plans

Distribution of credits

Type ECTS
Compulsory 39
Optional 12
Compulsory placements 3
Compulsory final project 6
TOTAL 60

List of subjects

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: Corporate Security
Actors and Policies in Security Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Analysis of the World Today Compulsory 1st semester 3
Conflict Resolution Optional 2nd semester 3
Data Construction and Analysis Compulsory 1st semester 3
Digital Transformation Optional 2nd semester 3
Ethics of Responsibility Compulsory 1st semester 3
Final Project Compulsory 1st semester
2nd semester
6
Globalization and Economies in Crisis Optional 2nd semester 3
Institutional or Company Placement Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Law and Artificial Intelligence Optional 2nd semester 3
Leadership Skills Compulsory 1st semester 3
Legal Scenarios in Security Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Management and Strategic Planning Compulsory 1st semester 3
Management Models Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Principles of Response in Emergencies and Crisis Management Compulsory 1st semester 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies Compulsory 1st semester 3
Security System Organization Compulsory 1st semester 3
Social Changes and Security Problems Compulsory 1st semester 3
Strategic Communication Compulsory 1st semester 3
Systems of Ethical and Regulatory Compliance Optional 2nd semester 3
Specialization: Emergencies and Civil Protection
Actors and Policies in Security Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Analysis of the World Today Compulsory 1st semester 3
Data Construction and Analysis Compulsory 1st semester 3
Environmental Emergencies Optional 2nd semester 3
Ethics of Responsibility Compulsory 1st semester 3
Final Project Compulsory 1st semester
2nd semester
6
Global Health Emergencies Optional 2nd semester 3
Institutional or Company Placement Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Leadership Skills Compulsory 1st semester 3
Legal Scenarios in Security Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Management and Strategic Planning Compulsory 1st semester 3
Management Models Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Principles of Response in Emergencies and Crisis Management Compulsory 1st semester 3
Psychosocial Risks and Emergencies Optional 2nd semester 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies Compulsory 1st semester 3
Security System Organization Compulsory 1st semester 3
Social Changes and Security Problems Compulsory 1st semester 3
Strategic Communication Compulsory 1st semester 3
Technological Risks in Industry and CBRN Defence Optional 1st semester 3
Urban Planning and Risk Optional 2nd semester 3
Specialization: Open Pathway
Actors and Policies in Security Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Analysis of Police Cases Optional 2nd semester 3
Analysis of the World Today Compulsory 1st semester 3
Conflict Resolution Optional 2nd semester 3
Data Construction and Analysis Compulsory 1st semester 3
Data Intelligence (Big Data) and Cybersecurity Optional 2nd semester 3
Digital Transformation Optional 2nd semester 3
Environmental Emergencies Optional 2nd semester 3
Ethics of Responsibility Compulsory 1st semester 3
Final Project Compulsory 1st semester
2nd semester
6
Global Health Emergencies Optional 2nd semester 3
Globalization and Economies in Crisis Optional 2nd semester 3
Institutional or Company Placement Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Intelligence Optional 2nd semester 3
Law and Artificial Intelligence Optional 2nd semester 3
Leadership Skills Compulsory 1st semester 3
Legal Scenarios in Security Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Management and Strategic Planning Compulsory 1st semester 3
Management Models Compulsory 2nd semester 3
New Challenges in Public Security Optional 2nd semester 3
Principles of Response in Emergencies and Crisis Management Compulsory 1st semester 3
Psychosocial Risks and Emergencies Optional 2nd semester 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies Compulsory 1st semester 3
Security and Emergency Plans Optional 2nd semester 3
Security System Organization Compulsory 1st semester 3
Social Changes and Security Problems Compulsory 1st semester 3
Strategic Communication Compulsory 1st semester 3
Systems of Ethical and Regulatory Compliance Optional 2nd semester 3
Technological Risks in Industry and CBRN Defence Optional 1st semester 3
Urban Planning and Risk Optional 2nd semester 3
Specialization: Public Security
Actors and Policies in Security Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Analysis of Police Cases Optional 2nd semester 3
Analysis of the World Today Compulsory 1st semester 3
Data Construction and Analysis Compulsory 1st semester 3
Data Intelligence (Big Data) and Cybersecurity Optional 2nd semester 3
Ethics of Responsibility Compulsory 1st semester 3
Final Project Compulsory 1st semester
2nd semester
6
Institutional or Company Placement Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Intelligence Optional 2nd semester 3
Leadership Skills Compulsory 1st semester 3
Legal Scenarios in Security Compulsory 2nd semester 3
Management and Strategic Planning Compulsory 1st semester 3
Management Models Compulsory 2nd semester 3
New Challenges in Public Security Optional 2nd semester 3
Principles of Response in Emergencies and Crisis Management Compulsory 1st semester 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Methodologies Compulsory 1st semester 3
Security and Emergency Plans Optional 2nd semester 3
Security System Organization Compulsory 1st semester 3
Social Changes and Security Problems Compulsory 1st semester 3
Strategic Communication Compulsory 1st semester 3

Bridging courses

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: BC for admission to the Master's Degree in Strategic Security Management
Introduction to Law Optional 1st semester 6

Previous years

Placements

Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.



Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record.  There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 750 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.



Institutional information


Career opportunities

What can you work on ?

The master's degree provides training and consolidates skills in three main areas (leadership, strategic planning and security: mainly police-related tasks but also economic, international, medical, psychological, chemical or computer-related). This is the factor that differentiates the master's degree and facilitates access to the job market.

We aim to be a school for leadership and training in strategic planning. Consequently, graduates will be able to access strategic management in any area (education, health, transport, etc.). However, as the name indicates, the master's degree focuses on security contents. Therefore, it provides access to any management position that requires strategic, holistic management of security in the public area (police, the emergency sector or civil protection) or in the private area. Companies do not only need to protect their buildings and employees. They also need someone who knows how to secure the business and calibrate the gaps in security that may arise in many areas (with increasing intensity in cyberspace) and issue warnings to implement updates or make the required transformations in the corporation.

The master's degree is not focused on professional skills because the profession for which we train students is not defined. However, the need for this profession exists. Currently, there is no specific profession for which this master's degree qualifies graduates or that is legally essential. This is a feature that is common to many master's degrees. It is frequently the case that each generation is unaware of the professions of the future. However, we can already perceive the tools that will be required in high-level management relating to security.

Police, firefighters, rural wardens, civil protection officers, town halls, provincial councils and all kinds of corporations know that they need this type of specialist that nobody is currently training. This master's degree provides the knowledge and tools to access this field of work that is increasingly necessary.

- Strategic management of policies, organisations and resources (human and material) in fields associated with security.
- Management of security sectors in public or private corporations.
- Coordination and management of crisis or emergency offices.
- Executive responsibility for police or emergency bodies.
- Research and teaching.

Access to the labour market

Dades del sistema universitari català.

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