Buckinghamshire New University

Buckinghamshire New University has long been committed to meeting the needs of employers, working with them to ensure course content is up-to-date and relevant. As a new university with a long history of providing good-quality education, the university is committed to constantly reviewing delivery methods to engage students and ensure that they are able to make the most of the university experience wherever they may be situated. The 'New' in the university name is about being innovative, forward-thinking and able to meet the needs of a rapidly changing modern world and a diverse student body.

The university's International Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies offers foundation degrees tailored to the events and security industries, specifically foundation degrees in Crowd Safety Management, Business Management for the Security Industries, and Protective Security Management.

Close protection as a profession dates back to the Romans, with the Praetorian Guard protecting dignitaries from potential attack. Now, the profession is more complicated with close protection professionals undertaking risk and reputation management duties, as well as protecting and defending people and property. The threat from terrorist organisations and 'fanatical' individuals adds another dimension to the work, and makes the demand for qualified personnel even greater.

The foundation degree in Protective Security Management is the only course of its kind offered by a university. It provides students with the opportunity to develop their work-based specialist skills, supported by professional tutoring, both online and through workshops. Flexibility in delivery is paramount; many students are serving in the armed forces, using the internet to communicate with tutors, whilst working (and learning) in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2008, the university signed a partnership agreement with IT giants, HP and Cisco, designed to transform the learning experience for students. Thanks to a converged voice, video and data network, students can collaborate using, among other methods, instant messaging, voice e-mails and streaming video. The new network frees students from the need to physically be on campus to undertake their courses. Students on the Close Protection course are required to 'attend' workshops, but may do so by video conferencing technology if they are unable to attend in person.

The format for courses has been repeated at other levels, with the university currently offering a master's in Business Continuity, Security & Emergency Management, and introducing MSc programmes in Security Infrastructure & Landscape Design and Aviation Security, which will begin next year. Five security short courses of 18 weeks are taught purely with online materials, and enable students to earn 20 credits at level 4, and the university has just introduced a distance learning 20-week level 7 Certificate in Security Management.

Graduates from the Close Protection foundation degree programme have found it a rewarding experience and are often encouraged to go further with their professional development through higher education. Online learning will continue to grow as a key component of the university’s provision, with the university’s International Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies building upon its reputation for innovative courses that tap into the needs of the events and security industries, and recognising the requirements of students who may not always be able to engage with traditional methods of delivery.