Chartered Management Institute
This course is endorsed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Upon completion, students receive the Foundation Chartered Manager status.
About this course
Why This Course
The Postgraduate Diploma in Security and Strategic Leadership is a CMI-endorsed Level 7 qualification built for professionals operating in security, defence, intelligence, and risk management.
Delivered entirely online and fully self-paced, this programme allows you to build senior leadership capability without stepping away from active duty or professional commitments. You will study eight rigorous modules spanning intelligence analysis, cybersecurity strategy, counterterrorism, ethical leadership, policy analysis, and global security governance.
The curriculum is designed to turn operational expertise into executive-level strategic thinking. Every module connects directly to the realities of modern security environments, equipping you to lead complex organisations through uncertainty, risk, and rapid change.
On completion, you hold a globally recognised 120-credit postgraduate qualification and Foundation Chartered Manager status through CMI. You may then progress directly to the dissertation stage of the MSc in Security and Risk at the University of Portsmouth.
Programme Modules
What You'll Study
Study the disciplines that matter most, from finance and marketing to leadership, operations, and sustainability, all connected directly to your working life.
Inside the programme
Your Learning Journey
Key learning outcomes
This qualification positions you for senior leadership in one of the world's most demanding and consequential professional fields.
You will graduate with a CMI-endorsed Level 7 diploma worth 120 postgraduate credits and Foundation Chartered Manager status, a recognised professional designation that signals executive-level management capability to employers globally.
Beyond the credential, you will have developed a rare combination of strategic intelligence, operational judgement, and leadership authority. You will be equipped to design security policy, lead organisational change, manage cyber risk, and navigate complex international governance challenges with confidence.
The qualification opens a direct pathway to the MSc in Security and Risk at the University of Portsmouth, allowing you to complete a full master's degree with only a dissertation remaining.
Check Your Eligibility
Entry Requirements
This programme is designed for motivated people who are ready to invest in their future. Here is what we look for.
If you have formal qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification, plus a minimum age of 22.
- IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is a standard regulatory requirement for postgraduate study. If you have studied or worked in English, our admissions team will be able to assess and map your prior experience against the required standard.
Or
If you do not have formal qualifications:
- A minimum of five years of relevant experience in the security, defence, intelligence, or law enforcement sector.
- The same English language and age requirements apply.
Accreditations and Memberships
Our Recognitions
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
London Institute of Business & Technology is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
London Institute of Business & Technology is a full member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Continue your journey
Where this takes you next.
On successful completion you may progress directly into:
Fees & Payment
Regionalised Discounts and Flexible Payment Plans
Select your country of residence below to get your local fee.
Tier 1
£4,400
Application feeFree
Pay in full (5% off)£4,180
8 instalments£550 × 8
Awarding Body
Awarding Body
The London Institute of Business and Technology (LIBT) is a British institution committed to making world-class professional education accessible to working adults everywhere. We deliver career-focused, industry-aligned qualifications to learners in more than 70 countries, combining rigorous academic standards with the flexibility that busy professionals need to advance their careers without pausing them.
Quality and standards
LIBT is a full member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the UK's independent body responsible for safeguarding standards and improving the quality of higher education. Through this membership, LIBT benchmarks and references its provision against the UK Quality Code and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ), the national reference points for academic standards in UK higher education. LIBT's own diplomas are referenced to the corresponding FHEQ level and are designed as preparation for progression to partner-university degrees.
Professional accreditations and endorsements
LIBT works with some of the UK's most respected professional bodies:
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredits a range of LIBT programmes, recognising them as meeting CMI's standards for management and leadership education. Graduates of a CMI-accredited LIBT programme may be eligible to apply for Chartered Manager status, one of the most respected professional designations in management. This Undergraduate Diploma in Business Management is recognised by CMI, giving students access to CMI membership and resources during their studies.
The Association for Project Management (APM) has recognised LIBT's Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management under its Pathway 2 Recognised Assessment for the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) designation.
University partnerships
Our qualifications are designed as direct pathways to university degrees. On completing an LIBT diploma, graduates may gain advanced entry to the final taught stage or dissertation of a master's, bachelor's, or doctoral degree at one of our partner universities, without repeating what they have already studied.
LIBT's current university partners include:
University of London — Global MBA and specialist MBA pathways in Accountancy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Health, Law, and Leadership
Coventry University — Global Business MBA, MSc in Business and Organisational Psychology, MSc in International Project Management, MA in Education, and BA (Hons) in Business Management and Leadership
University of Lancashire (formerly UCLan) — LLB (Hons) Law, MSc in Finance and Management, and BSc (Hons) in Cyber Security and Networking
University of Portsmouth — MSc in Security and Risk (work-based, for military personnel)
University of Essex — BA (Hons) in Business and Management
University of Wolverhampton — International MBA
Acacia University (USA) — Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), advanced entry. Acacia University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognised by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
These articulation agreements are based on each university's independent review of LIBT's learning programmes and outcomes, confirming that LIBT graduates arrive academically prepared for degree-level progression.
Our commitment
LIBT believes that a demanding professional life should never be a barrier to academic achievement. Every programme we offer is built to a high standard of academic rigour, delivered with the flexibility working professionals require, and recognised by the universities and professional bodies that matter most to employers worldwide.
From our community
Reviews from students across programmes we offer.
Hear from the professionals who studied with LIBT, the skills they gained, the goals they reached, and the moments that changed how they work.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study this diploma while serving in an active security or defence role?
Yes, and it is designed with exactly that in mind. The programme is 100% online and entirely self-paced, so you can study around shift patterns, deployments, or unpredictable operational demands. There are no examinations. You are assessed through practical written assignments that you can apply directly to your current role, making your studies immediately relevant to the organisation you serve.
Do I need a degree to apply?
Not necessarily. If you do not hold a bachelor's degree, you may still qualify through our professional entry pathway, provided you have at least five years of relevant experience in security, defence, intelligence, or law enforcement. Our admissions team will review your professional background to confirm eligibility before you apply.
What does CMI endorsement mean for this programme?
CMI endorsement means the Chartered Management Institute has reviewed and recognised this programme as meeting its standards for management and leadership education. Upon completion, you will receive Foundation Chartered Manager status through CMI, a respected professional designation that strengthens your credentials with employers across the security, defence, and corporate risk sectors globally.
Where can I progress after completing this diploma?
This 120-credit Level 7 qualification provides direct entry to the dissertation stage of the MSc in Security and Risk at the University of Portsmouth. Rather than completing a full taught master's programme, you proceed straight to your final dissertation, earning a full UK master's degree at significantly reduced cost and time.
Can I complete this diploma faster than 12 months?
Yes. The programme is fully self-paced, so you can progress as quickly as your schedule allows. Learners with prior postgraduate study or substantial relevant professional experience may also be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which can reduce the number of modules required and shorten your overall completion time considerably.
What if I need to pause my studies due to operational commitments?
LIBT offers a formal study deferral process for learners who need to pause due to deployment, operational demands, or personal circumstances. You can interrupt your programme and return when ready without losing any completed module credits or academic progress. Contact our student support team to arrange a pause and agree a revised timeline.