Master’s Degree in Intelligence Analysis and Cyberintelligence

Royal Decree 1027/2011, of July 15, establishes the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (MECES) and the description of its levels, whose purpose is to allow the classification, comparability and transparency of higher education qualifications in the Spanish educational system, which serves as a reference to facilitate the mobility of people in the European higher education area and in the international labor market. Thus, the third level corresponds to Master's degree teachings that are characterized by being "advanced, specialized or multidisciplinary education, oriented towards academic or professional specialization, or promoting initiation into research tasks", and whose characteristics are defined in the following descriptors:

• BC6 Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.
• BC7 That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
• BC8 That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgments based on information that, even if incomplete or limited, includes reflections on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
• BC9 That students know how to communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
• BC10 That students possess the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.

• GC1.- Develop the theoretical and practical competences that allow them to work in an Intelligence team.
• GC2.- Understand how their profession affects other departments of the company or institution.
• GC3.- Master the techniques for obtaining data and information, both in the field of Intelligence and Cyberintelligence.
• GC4.- Develop and use with critical judgment the intelligence obtained to make decisions and communicate them to a professional audience.
• GC5.- Demonstrate correct communication, both orally and in writing, using the most current technology, in the field of Intelligence and Cyberintelligence.
• GC6.- Autonomously plan the implementation of projects and decisions on prevention and action against threats, prediction of future scenarios and analysis of competition in the field of Intelligence and Cyberintelligence.
• GC7.- Distinguish and compare the different roles within an intelligence team.
• GC8.- Know how to recognize the need for change in an organization, using the different techniques for obtaining Intelligence.
• GC9.- Analyze and interpret the information obtained in the field of Intelligence and Cyberintelligence.
• GC10.- Distinguish strategic and operational approaches that may be erroneous or forced in the field of Intelligence and Cyberintelligence.
• GC11.- Generate, taking as a starting point the theoretical and practical knowledge provided, reports of results related to the field of intelligence.
• GC12.- Solve the problems raised, applying the different disciplines and techniques of Intelligence and Cyberintelligence.

• Comprehensively analyze the concepts related to Intelligence and Cyberintelligence.
• Develop effective security systems in various environments and operating systems, applying the Intelligence obtained.
• Review the operation, characteristics and level of risk of the services of the companies and establish protection mechanisms.
• Identify the transversal impact of new information and communication technologies in obtaining Intelligence.
• Use the product obtained by Intelligence and Cyberintelligence to provide economic, legal and security advice to institutions, companies and governmental and non-governmental organizations in situations of conflict or need.
• Apply with high specialization the theoretical knowledge acquired during the Master's degree, carrying out an external internship in a company related to the sector.
• Prepare, present and defend an original paper before a university tribunal, consisting of a research project in the field of Intelligence and Cyberintelligence in which the competences acquired are included.

Specific competences acquired for each specialty

Specific Competences of the itinerary specializing in Intelligence for Security and Defense

• Design a security plan, once the needs of the environment and its risk profile have been analyzed.
• Generate the precise interaction and communication channels with the Security and Defense sector.
• Solve multidisciplinary problems in the field of Security and Defense.
• Identify environments conducive to antisocial and criminal behavior in the field of Intelligence and Cyberintelligence.
• Analyze the Intelligence Community in the field of Security and Defense at a global level.

Specific Competences of the specialty itinerary in Economic and Competitive Intelligence

• Analyze the different techniques, tactics and means of analysis in obtaining cyber intelligence, as well as its integration into a tangible product.
• Identify and analyze the functions of a Competitive Intelligence department in a company.
• Incorporate competitive intelligence into the mission and strategic culture of the company as one more element in the development of the business model.
• Apply the necessary techniques for efficient intelligence communication.

In accordance with the stipulations outlined in Article 16 of RD 1393/2007, as amended by RD 861/2010, students who fulfill any of the following conditions are eligible to pursue these studies:

• Hold an official Spanish university degree or an equivalent qualification issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area, granting access to Master's degrees in the country where the degree was conferred.
• Graduates from educational systems outside the European Higher Education Area may gain access without requiring the homologation of their degrees. However, they must undergo verification by the University to confirm that their level of education is equivalent to the corresponding official Spanish university degrees and that their qualifications entitle them, in their country of issuance, to pursue postgraduate education. It is important to note that accessing through this route does not imply the approval or recognition of the previous degree for any purpose other than enrolling in the Master's program.
• For students with special educational needs resulting from disabilities, an assessment will be conducted to determine any necessary curricular adaptations, itineraries, or alternative study options.

All applicants of the Master's Degree in Intelligence Analysis and Cyberintelligence who meet the requirements stipulated by current legislation, possess a degree or bachelor's degree, with a bachelor's or undergraduate degree, demonstrate proficiency in managing substantial volumes of information, possess a concise understanding of various programs and mechanisms for information classification, and exhibit accurate evaluation skills. Additionally, they must be capable of generating reports facilitating operational decision-making.

Specifically, candidates must hold one of the following qualifications:

• Graduate in Law
• Graduate in Security or Criminology
• Graduate in Business Administration
• Graduate in Economics
• Graduate in Cybersecurity
• Graduate in Business Intelligence

Similarly, for admission to the proposed master's degree program, candidates must hold a degree in:

• Civil Guard Officers (equivalent qualification to that of a Graduate, Architect, or Engineer).
• Executive Scale of the National Police Corps, with consideration of the following:
  • Executive Scale Officials with the academic equivalence of a University Master's Degree are those officials who have either entered through public examination or internal promotion and hold an undergraduate university degree, or Bachelor's degree (in accordance with the Bologna Plan). Additionally, they must have completed both years of training at the Ávila School starting in 2006.
  • Executive Scale Officials with qualifications equivalent to an undergraduate university degree, for those who attained their position through internal promotion or public examination with an associate's or bachelor's university degree acquired prior to 2006.
  • Executive Scale Officials who lack any university academic qualifications, as they do not meet the requirements for accessing the Scale with an associate's, undergraduate or bachelor's degree, may continue to benefit from the validation stipulated in the Order of April 18, 2000, until September 2015. This validation allows them to obtain the equivalence of an undergraduate university degree if they acquire an Associate's, Technical Engineer, Technical Architect, Bachelor’s, Engineer, or Architect degree before this date.
• Career Military:
  • Officer Scale: This scale corresponds to undergraduate (first-cycle) university studies. The initial military position at this level is equivalent to an Associate's, Technical Engineer, or Technical Architect degree, depending on the chosen specialty.
  • Higher Officer Scale: This scale corresponds to first and second-cycle university studies. The initial military position at this level is equivalent to a Bachelor's, Engineering, or Architecture Degree, depending on the specialty studied.

In addition to meeting the legal requirements, the University requires candidates to pass its own entrance exams, known as the Admission Tests.

The admission process to the Master's Degree begins by sending the following documentation by postal mail or courier to the Postgraduate Admissions Section:

• Completed Admission Application.
• Updated Curriculum Vitae.
• Photocopy of DNI (Spanish candidates only) or passport (foreign candidates only).
• Photocopy of the Academic Record/Transcript (completed, or in the last year of the university degree).
• 1 passport-size photograph.

After the required documentation has been received and verified to ensure that the submitted degree grants access to the program, as stipulated in Articles 15 and 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, candidates proceed to undertake the proficiency test specific to their chosen program. This assessment is administered by the Promotion and Admissions department. The test is conducted in person in Madrid, various Spanish cities, and can also be taken remotely (online).

The admission test, designed to assess a student's readiness for the Master's program, evaluates the candidate's profile and abilities. It does not necessitate prior preparation and allows students to receive comprehensive and personalized guidance regarding their academic and professional aspirations. This test comprises two parts: the first assesses the student's aptitude and maturity, probing the motivations behind their decision to study with us. The second part entails a program-specific examination.

After the completion of the various phases of the admission tests, the candidate undergoes a personal interview with the Master's Director. During this interview, the Director assesses the candidate's profile, maturity level, personal interest in the Master's program, and suitability for the degree. A report summarizing these evaluations is prepared and appended to the candidate's file, which is then reviewed by the Admissions Commission. In cases where the written tests are taken remotely, the personal interview can be conducted via videoconference.

Subsequently, the Admissions Commission, comprising members from the Department, the General Secretariat, and the Promotion and Admissions Department, evaluates the test results and documentation submitted by the candidate. Based on this assessment, the Commission either approves or rejects the application. The candidate is then notified of the admission outcome via written communication and telephone. Additionally, they receive information regarding the next steps in the admission process, including registration formalities, required documentation, legalization procedures, etc.

The weighting of these admission tests is specified below:

• Admission test: Personal interview: 100%

Pre-enrollment

After receiving the admission notification, candidates are required to reserve their place by completing an economic pre-enrollment process. This ensures the candidate's position at the University.

Enrollment

Pre-enrolled candidates who wish to formalize their academic registration at the University must, within the indicated deadlines, follow these steps:

• Documentation Submission: Candidates must provide evidence that they have met the requirements stipulated by Spanish university legislation to commence/continue their university studies at Nebrija University.
• Online Registration Formalization: Nebrija University offers a self-enrollment service on its website, enabling admitted students to complete all academic, financial, and administrative procedures remotely, without the need to visit the University in person. Admitted students are required to complete their self-enrollment within the specified deadlines. Upon receiving their admission letter, students will also receive an access code and personal password, which are essential for completing the academic and financial self-enrollment process. Once the self-enrollment is finalized and the submitted documentation is verified, the candidate officially becomes a student of Nebrija University. Throughout the self-enrollment process, students have access to technical support from the Computer Services department. Additionally, academic assistance is provided by the assigned Tutor, who guides students in selecting their courses.
• Payment of the annual registration fees for the degree program to which they have been admitted. The reservation fee is included as part of the annual registration fees.

The admission criteria for students enrolled in degrees offered through distance learning will align with those for the traditional face-to-face modality. However, additional criteria will be applied, including:

Assessment of the candidate's ability to effectively participate in the training activities outlined in the desired degree program, which may entail some face-to-face components. This evaluation will be conducted during the personal interview. In addition to the existing access and admission criteria for the in-person modality, the interviewer will assess whether the candidate's work and personal circumstances, as well as their availability of time, are compatible with the normal progression of the teaching-learning process and the activities comprising the planned curriculum.

Following a comprehensive analysis and mutual exchange of information during the interview, the student will receive guidance regarding their realistic capabilities, the recommended annual registration fee, mandatory attendance at certain activities, or, if necessary, the possibility of rejecting their candidacy. This evaluation aims to identify any potential challenges that may impede the satisfactory completion of the scheduled educational activities.