Key Points
- The United Kingdom’s first ever postgraduate course in reaction to Martyn’s Law has been rolled out at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
- The PgCert in Counter Terrorism Risk Management will be offered by the Cardiff School of Management and will begin in January 2027.
- The legislation behind the course is the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act which is popularly referred to as ‘Martyn’s Law’, and which is expected to be operational from the spring of 2027.
- The law is named after Martyn Hett who was among the 22 people killed in the attack on the Manchester Arena in 2017.
- The course has been designed keeping in mind the security-conscious professions, such as event and venue management, private security, local government, hospitality, and more.
- The program entails study of current terrorism risks, risk assessment techniques, and proven measures for mitigating risks using intensive campus-based study modules, e-learning, and site visits.
- One of the major components of the program enables students to formulate an exclusive risk management strategy for terrorism that is applicable in their work environment.
- Interested candidates can apply for January 2027 intake via the Cardiff Metropolitan University website.
Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) October 2, 2026 – Cardiff Metropolitan University has officially announced the launch of the United Kingdom’s inaugural postgraduate qualification designed specifically to address upcoming legislative requirements under Martyn’s Law. Delivered through the Cardiff School of Management, the new Postgraduate Certificate in Counter Terrorism Risk Management will open its doors to students in January 2027, equipping working professionals with advanced risk mitigation strategies, threat analysis techniques, and practical workplace compliance frameworks.
Why Has Cardiff Metropolitan University Developed This New Postgraduate Certificate?
As reported by Martin Shipton of Nation.Cymru, Cardiff Metropolitan University has established the UK’s first postgraduate qualification developed in direct response to new legislation known as Martyn’s Law. The academic programme has been formulated to align directly with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, which is widely projected to come into force in the spring of 2027 to heighten public safety standards across public venues and organized events.
As detailed by Martin Shipton of Nation.Cymru, the legislative framework is named in memory of Martyn Hett, who tragically lost his life alongside 21 other victims during the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017. The primary objective of the incoming legislation is to minimise the risk of harm to the public by placing a legal obligation on those responsible for public premises and events to establish appropriate preparedness, mitigation, and response strategies.
Who Is the New Counter-Terrorism Qualification Aimed At?
According to the report by Martin Shipton of Nation.Cymru, the newly structured postgraduate certificate is specifically targeted at individuals working within security-sensitive professional environments. This includes practitioners involved in event and venue management, private security operations, local government authorities, the hospitality sector, and the wider public sector.
As noted by Martin Shipton of Nation.Cymru, the curriculum is structured to explore contemporary terrorism threats, sophisticated risk assessment methodologies, and evidence-based mitigation strategies. The educational delivery model combines intensive on-campus teaching blocks, structured online learning modules, and practical field visits. These components are intended to empower participants to successfully analyse complex threat environments and construct robust counter-terrorism risk management plans.
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What Practical Elements Are Included in the Programme Structure?
As highlighted by Martin Shipton of Nation.Cymru, a distinctive and core feature of the postgraduate qualification is the opportunity for enrolled learners to apply their academic studies directly to their professional environments. Participants are required to develop a bespoke terrorism risk management plan tailored specifically to the operational needs of their own organisation.
Addressing the launch of the curriculum, Dr Dewi Jaimangal-Jones, programme director for the PgCert in Counter Terrorism Risk Management, stated:
“As organisations face increasing responsibilities for public safety and security, there is a growing need for professionals who can confidently navigate the complexities of terrorism risk management.”
Dr Dewi Jaimangal-Jones further added, as reported by Martin Shipton of Nation.Cymru:
“This new programme has been designed to provide practical, applied learning that enables you to make informed decisions and strengthen resilience within your organisation.”
The qualification is structured as a flexible part-time programme tailored specifically for busy working professionals, enabling participants to balance advanced academic study alongside their existing career trajectories and personal commitments. Applications are currently open for the initial January 2027 intake, with further comprehensive information available directly through the official Cardiff Metropolitan University digital portals.
Background
The introduction of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s specialised postgraduate qualification arrives against the backdrop of years of intense campaigning for legislative reform regarding public venue security in the United Kingdom. Following the devastating May 2017 bombing at the Manchester Arena, families of the victims—most notably Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett—campouched tirelessly for tighter security regulations at venues and public gathering spaces. This advocacy birthed the concept of Martyn’s Law, aimed at bridging gaps in security preparedness where commercial and public venues previously lacked statutory obligations to plan for terrorist incidents. As the legislative process advanced through draft proposals and parliamentary scrutiny toward an anticipated implementation date in spring 2027, businesses and public sector bodies recognized an urgent operational deficit in certified training, risk assessment expertise, and standardized compliance protocols, prompting higher education institutions to step in with dedicated vocational pathways.
The rollout of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Counter Terrorism Risk Management is anticipated to have a profound operational impact on venue managers, event organisers, local authority officials, and hospitality business owners across the United Kingdom. As Martyn’s Law takes effect in spring 2027, organisations falling under the standard and enhanced tiers of the legislation will face rigorous legal accountabilities for public safety, making trained risk management personnel an operational necessity rather than an optional asset. By providing professionals with a structured mechanism to formulate bespoke workplace safety frameworks, the course will likely help bridge the skills gap, shielding businesses from potential regulatory non-compliance penalties while significantly elevating national counter-terrorism resilience across the public and private sectors in Wales and beyond.
