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  • A degree programme with a long-term perspective

    A degree programme with a long-term perspective

    Peace cannot be taken for granted. It is the result of strategy.

Bachelor European Security and Defence Studies (B.A.)

Overview
Degree
B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
Degree programme
European Security and Defence Studies
Security, Defence and Strategic Conflict Analysis in Europe
Possible specialisations
War Gaming
Scandinavian Studies
Full-Time
100% Online · 6 Semester
180 ECTS
Part-Time
100% Online · 8 Semester
180 ECTS
Language
English
B2 required
Tuition fees
TBA
Registration
No N.C. · no selection process
Start
March & September
Evaluation
Hochschulbewertung StudyCheck
[Translate to Englisch:]
Overview
Degree
B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
Degree Programme
European Security and Defence Studies
Security, Defence and Strategic Conflict Analysis in Europe
Possible specialisations
War Gaming
Scandinavian Studies
Full-Time
100% Online · 6 Semester
180 ECTS
Part-Time
100% Online · 8 Semester
180 ECTS
Language
English
B2 required
Tuition fees
TBA
Registration
No N.C. · no selection process
Start
March & September
Evaluation
Hochschulbewertung StudyCheck

Important!

The degree programme is currently undergoing accreditation. State recognition can only be applied for once accreditation has been successfully completed. The programme can therefore only commence once state recognition has been granted by the Authority for Science, Research and Equality of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

We currently expect the programme to start in the summer semester of 2027.

Course profile

Understanding security policy where others only react
In the Bachelor's programme European Security & Defence Studies, you'll learn to analyse, assess, and help shape security policy developments — taught entirely in English, with direct ties to NATO, the EU, and the Baltic Sea region. Exactly the skills that matter when the geopolitical landscape shifts faster than ever: sound knowledge, clear analysis, decisive action.
WHO IS IT FOR?
European Security & Defence Studies is for you if …
… you're interested in security policy and international relations
You want to understand how conflicts, alliances, and law shape Europe's and the world's security landscape — from NATO to the Baltic Sea region.
… you already bring experience from the armed forces or security organisations
You want to give your practical experience an academic foundation and qualify for leadership roles in security and defence institutions.
… you want to study in an international, English-taught environment
The entire programme is taught in English — ideal if you want to build an international network and prepare for global career paths.
… you want to work in ministries, NGOs, or international organisations
You want to work at the intersection of politics, law, and security — at government agencies, think tanks, associations, or international institutions.
THREE PARALLELS
Why European Security & Defence Studies matters right now
PARALLEL 1
Hybrid threats blur the line between war and peace
Cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage hit states today below the threshold of open military force. What matters more than ever is recognising these situations early, assessing them, and developing options for action.
How NBS responds
The modules "Hybrid Threats" and "Societal Resilience" work hand in hand: you analyse real threat scenarios and develop resilience strategies for states, institutions, and critical infrastructure.
PARALLEL 2
Disinformation makes sound analysis a core skill
Intelligence services, ministries, and international organisations need people who can structure information, verify sources, and build reliable assessments — instead of being led by narratives.
How NBS responds
Intelligence Cycle I & II make structured analysis and forecasting methods a core competence — handling information with confidence instead of being exposed to it.
PARALLEL 3
Security policy is becoming more technological — and more international
Artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons systems, and international alliance structures are changing how security policy is made. What's needed are professionals who combine technological understanding with the ability to act internationally.
How NBS responds
Modules such as "AI & Autonomous Weapons Systems" and the "War Gaming" competence field combine technology with strategy — taught entirely in English and with an international focus on the Baltic Sea region.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Four areas of competence, one clear profile
Every module in the programme belongs to one of these four perspectives. In your final semester, you'll also specialise in a competence field of your choice: War Gaming, Scandinavian Studies, or an interdisciplinary module.
Politics
War and conflict studies, current security policy challenges, history and actors of security policy — you'll understand how conflicts arise and unfold.
Polity
International law and security policy, international organisations, military organisations & operations — the institutional foundation of security policy.
Policy
Hybrid threats, arms control & proliferation, societal resilience — concrete fields of action within security policy.
Methods
Academic writing, empirical social research, the intelligence cycle, crisis communication — your analytical toolkit.
YOUR ADVANTAGES
Four reasons for European Security & Defence Studies at NBS
Fully English-taught
Study in an international environment — no German required, with access to global networks and international career paths.
A network spanning the military, academia, and politics
The programme was developed together with experts from security policy, the armed forces, and international institutions.
A focus on the Baltic Sea region & Northern Europe
A dedicated module on the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe as a security region — a focus few programmes in Germany offer.
A practical semester built into the programme
In your 5th semester (full-time), you'll gain real professional experience at security policy institutions — the foundation for your Bachelor's thesis.
THE CORE BENEFIT
Security policy is growing more complex — your role is growing more important
The more complex the geopolitical landscape becomes, the more valuable people become who understand the connections, assess information, and help prepare sound decisions. That's exactly what the Bachelor's programme European Security & Defence Studies at NBS trains you to do — entirely in English, with a practical semester and an international network.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Bachelor’s degree programme in European Security and Defence Studies have a wide range of career prospects in the public, international and private sectors. They are specifically prepared for roles in

  • ministries,
  • international organisations (such as NATO, the EU or the UN),
  • think tanks and
  • academic research institutions.

In the private sector, career opportunities are available in particular within the security and defence industries, with defence technology suppliers, and in companies specialising in risk analysis and crisis management. Furthermore, the degree qualifies graduates for roles in the civilian administration of the Bundeswehr, with emergency services, and in local authorities, primarily in the fields of infrastructure and civil protection.

The course content

The course content for the 1st to 4th semesters (full-time) or the 1st to 6th semesters (part-time) comprises foundational modules in security policy, with the aim of establishing a common ground from the perspectives of Politics, Polity, Policy and Methods.

In the 6th (full-time) or 7th semester (part-time), you will have the opportunity to specialise your subject knowledge by choosing a field of expertise. You can choose between War Gaming and Scandinavian Studies

On the full-time programme, you will undertake a work placement in the 5th semester and produce a work placement report. On the part-time programme, the practical component is spread across the entire course: over the course of several semesters, you will complete four practical assignments (Practical Assignment I–IV).

You will write your Bachelor’s thesis and sit the associated colloquium (oral examination) in the 6th semester (full-time) or 8th semester (part-time) of your degree. The programme comprises a total of 180 ECTS credits in both study models.

Study program Full-Time (180 ECTS) | 100% Online*

The study plan is individually customizable

You can find detailed information about our full-time study model here: Vollzeit-Studium (German)

You can find the detailed content of the individual modules and the corresponding examination forms in the Module descriptions (LINK)

1. Semester

  • Introduction to Security Policy
  • Theories of International Relations
  • Academic Work
  • War & Conflict Studies I
  • Basics of Military Organizations & Operations
  • Empirical Social Research

2. Semester

  • Hybrid Threats
  • Arms Industry, Arms Control & Proliferation
  • Current Challenges in Security Policy
  • War & Conflict Studies II
  • Crisis Communication & Information Management
  • Intelligence Cycle I

3. Semester

  • International Law & Security Policy
  • History & Actors of Security Policy I
  • International Organizations
  • Societal Resilience
  • Cultural History of Violence
  • Intelligence Cycle II

4. Semester

  • Hospitation in Security & Defence Institutions
  • AI & Autonomous Weapon Systems
  • History & Actors of Security Policy II
  • Communication & Protocol in Authorities & International Organizations
  • The Baltic Sea and Northern Europe as a Security Region
  • Geostrategic Challenges & Maritime Security

5. Semester

  • Internship
  • Internship Report

6. Semester

  • Competence Field
  • Comparative Analysis of Conflicts & Security Policy
  • Resources and Logistics – Germany as a Strategic Hub
  • Bachelor's Thesis
  • Bachelor's Colloquium

Study program Part-Time (180 ECTS) | 100% Online*

The study plan is individually customizable

You can find detailed information about our part-time study model here: Teilzeit-Studium (German)

You can find the detailed content of the individual modules and the corresponding examination forms in the Module descriptions | to come

Semester 1

  • Introduction to Security Policy
  • Theories of International Relations
  • Academic Work
  • War & Conflict Studies I
  • Basics of Military Organizations & Operations

Semester 2

  • Empirical Social Research
  • Hybrid Threats
  • Arms Industry, Arms Control & Proliferation
  • Current Challenges in Security Policy

Semester 3

  • War & Conflict Studies II
  • Crisis Communication & Information Management
  • International Law & Security Policy
  • History & Actors of Security Policy I
  • Practical Project I

Semester 4

  • Intelligence Cycle I
  • International Organizations
  • Societal Resilience
  • Cultural History of Violence

Semester 5

  • Intelligence Cycle II
  • Hospitation in Security & Defence Institutions
  • AI & Autonomous Weapon Systems
  • History & Actors of Security Policy II
  • Practical Project II

Semester 6

  • Communication & Protocol in Authorities & International Organizations
  • The Baltic Sea and Northern Europe as a Security Region
  • Practical Project III

Semester 7

  • Geostrategic Challenges & Maritime Security
  • Competence Field
  • Resources and Logistics – Germany as a Strategic Hub
  • Practical Project IV

Semester 8

  • Comparative Analysis of Conflicts & Security Policy
  • Bachelor's Thesis
  • Bachelor's Colloquium

Module descriptions and legal provisions

  • Module descriptions for the European Security and Defence Studies (B.A.) program (PDF) | to come
  • Program-Specific Regulations for the European Security and Defence Studies (B.A.) program (PDF) | to come
  • Framework study and examination regulations for Bachelor's degree programs (PDF) | to come
WHY NBS
Four strengths behind your decision
The programme content speaks for itself – this is what makes studying at NBS different.
Get In
You get in – no hurdles
✓No NC and access even without a German "Abitur" – secure your guaranteed study place right away.
✓Full-time with NBS Smart Flex: choose freely every day between on-campus classes in Hamburg and live online sessions.
✓Study alongside work in the part-time model: live online studies with flexible self-study phases – alongside your job or apprenticeship.
Stay On Track
You'll make it – we've got you
✓Clear programme structure, small groups, dedicated points of contact.
✓Personal support every step of the way – all the way to graduation.
✓Modern digital infrastructure: Microsoft 365 and CampusWEB as your digital study hub – including online exams, from anywhere.
Arrive
You arrive in your career
✓Lecturers from industry and real-world projects – you learn what actually counts on the job.
✓A strong career network and Career Service – your career start is built in.
✓AI in your studies: you work with the digital tools that matter in everyday professional life.
Grow
You grow – at a university with a purpose
✓More than subject knowledge: leadership training, coaching, and personal development with Personal Development by NBS.
✓Genuine campus spirit: student life, events, and a community right in the heart of Hamburg.
✓Non-profit & fair: affordable fees, financing via BAföG and KfW, plus the NBS Opportunity Scholarship.
State-recognised  ·  NC-free  ·  non-profit

Tuition fees

Part-Time

Standard duration of study: 8 Semester | 48 Months

TBA

per month

Total cost: TBA

Info about fees >>

Full-Time

Standard duration of study: 6 Semester | 36 Months

TBA

per month

Total cost: TBA

Info about fees >>

Experiences

All the facts and figures about the degree programme

DegreeBachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Study model
and location

✔️ Full-time: 100% online studies
or
✔️ Part-time: 100% online studies
✔️ Online exams
✔️ Switching between study models is possible

Standard study periodFull-Time: 6 semesters
Part-Time: 8 semesters
✔️ Have prior credits recognised and shorten your study time!
ECTS-CreditsFull-Time: 180
Part-Time: 180
Admission
requirements		✔️ (Subject-restricted) Abitur
✔️ Studying without an Abitur is possible
Start of lectures✔️ 15 March (summer semester)
or
✔️ 15 September (winter semester)
✔️ Intensive onboarding
Available
new study places
per semester		Full-time: 40
Part-time: 40
Internship✔️ Full-Time: yes
✔️ Part-Time: optional
✔️ Placement support via Career Service
Semester abroad✔️ optional
NC✔️ no, open admission
Semester ticket✔️ Full-Time: yes
Part-Time: no
Tuition fees
Full-Time		✔️ TBA
Tuition fees
Part-Time		✔️ TBA
Funding
of tuition fees		✔️ Money won't stand
in the way of your studies with us:
► Request sample calculations
BAföG-Eligibility✔️ Full-Time: yes
Part-Time: no
► Secure your study placeAll information
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