Safety and Security Management Studies

Do you want to address global problems such as terrorism, violence and threats, and create a safer society? Then choose the unique English-language degree programme in Safety and Security Management Studies.

Here you will learn critical thinking, analyse and perform under pressure and assess risks. And right in the heart of The Hague, the international city of Peace and Security.

In 2021, Elsevier Magazine awarded this degree programme a bronze medal.

Public safety, international security and industrial safety are the three pillars of SSMS. In years two and three, you’ll get an insight into contemporary security threats, such as hybrid warfare and transnational crime. As a Safety and Security Manager, you will be on the front line and have access to secret or confidential information. This special position creates a close-knit community among lecturers and students.

To be an SSMS professional, you’ll first have to attain a basic understanding of safety and security. This is why year one prepares you with introductory courses like International Law, Criminology, Psychology, Economics, Policy Making, Business Administration and management courses. Before you even think about advising commercial companies and governmental institutions on their safety and security policies, you’ll have to understand their organisational structures and cultures.

We work in dynamic groups to tackle SSMS topics from a practical perspective. Safety and security management is all about anticipating and identifying risk, which can only be done if you do the groundwork. For example, after studying the basics of criminology, psychology and security management, we hone your professional skills in the ‘Getting the problem right’ project.  These introductory practical elements will get you investigating safety and security management issues before moving on to resolve bigger issues in the second and third years.