Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarship Funding Secured
The IMSISS Consortium, led by the University of Glasgow, is delighted to announce that the International Masters in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies degree programme has successfully been awarded new funding from the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme.
This is a tremendous outcome and will mean that IMSISS will be able to continue to provide scholarships for students applying for entry between 2026 and 2029.
With this funding, IMSISS will be able to award 70 fully funded scholarships to students from around the world, offer enhanced employability and skills development opportunities to students, and further develop relations with university partners globally.
We will also be launching a new 3rd study pathway incorporating our new Degree-awarding partner, University of Belgrade. This will enable students to study at Glasgow, Dublin and Belgrade.
What this means?
This success could not have been achieved without the hard work of our Erasmus Mundus team, the Programme Director and colleagues from Glasgow and our overseas consortium partners, including new partners for this new edition of IMSISS.
The refunding of IMSISS under Erasmus+ demonstrates the continued strength of the University of Glasgow, as the leading Erasmus Mundus coordinator in the UK HEI sector, in fostering international partnership.
We are very grateful to all of IMSISS Partners for their continued support, and look forward to continuing to develop this world-leading programme.
What changes?
New Degree-awarding partner: University of Belgrade. Expertise: Critical security studies, peace, conflict and post-conflict studies, development studies, European and regional security, Balkan Studies, ethnic and civil wars, human and environmental security.
Part of new Glasgow-Dublin-Belgrade Pathway
New Key Associate Partners:
- Temple University – Philadelphia, USA
- Expertise: Civil war, wartime violence, terrorism, US foreign relations, diplomacy, criminology & crime science, cyber security, AI.
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
- Expertise: Online mis/disinformation, social media policy analysis, conspiracy-led extremism, hate-speech & alternative media ecosystem, online discourses of misogyny, content moderation, AI, digital methodologies, Amazon deforestation.
- American University in Dubai – UAE
- Expertise: International Diplomacy, International Relations, Global Governance, Security Studies, Politics of the Middle East.
New Associate Partners
- Africa: Kenyatta University (Kenya), University of the Free State (South Africa), Versatilis Group (Ghana)
- Asia & Pacific: Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, University of the Philippines Cebu, Gadja Mada University (Indonesia), Macquarie University (Australia)
- Other APs extend our commitment to the transatlantic region and examples include the NATO accredited Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence (Netherlands), German Marshall Fund (USA), and Horizon Intelligence (Belgium).
New course structure: five major security themes:
- Emerging Technology & Digital Resilience examines how cyber security and advancements in AI, nuclear technologies, bio-medical innovations, weapons systems, satellite development and space exploration affect the security of both the physical and digital worlds.
- War, Conflict & Peace Studies investigates the effects of interstate and civil wars on states and societies (with a renewed focus on shifting norms in contemporary geopolitics), while also exploring solutions and strategies to promote peace and stability.
- Radicalisation, Terrorism & Organised Crime acknowledges the pervasive nature of these issues and explores the connections between crime and terrorism, as well as the socio-cultural factors driving radicalisation and extremism in politics and society.
- Intelligence, Strategic Planning & Public Diplomacy explores the challenges associated with intelligence gathering and analysis, strategic planning, policy formulation, and diplomatic efforts for achieving global, national and regional security objectives.
- Human & Environmental Security addresses the protection of individuals and ecosystems from threats like climate change, natural disaster, and resource scarcity, while ensuring sustainable development and wellbeing.
Expanded range of optional courses: almost 30 extra courses not previously available
Programme restructuring: there are now three study tracks across five themes, with students invited to co-create their own flexible learning journey
Mandatory 6-week minimum internship or alternative experiential learning experience: made possible through extended network of partnerships with private, public, and third sector organisations.
Belgrade study track will facilitate opportunities in Serbia & Western Balkans; expansion of key associate partners will facilitate new opportunities in the USA and Japan.
What happens now?
Applications for the 2026-2028 IMISS cohort, including Erasmus Mundus Scholarship applications, will open in early October – keep up-to-date through our social media channels and our website.
