The International Security and
Intelligence Professional (ISI Pro) Programme

Monday 6th April - Friday 17th April 2026, Emmanuel College, Cambridge

Emmanuel College, Cambridge

About ISI Pro

The International Security and Intelligence Professional Programme, Spring 2026  

Chaired by Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the Cambridge Security Initiative (CSi) launched the International Security and Intelligence Professional  Programme (ISI Pro)  in 2025 inspired by the established and highly acclaimed ISI programme. 

Designed for mid- to senior-level professionals from across government, business, the military, the intelligence and law enforcement communities, international organisations and academia, ISI Pro offers an opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of international security and intelligence dynamics, to hone strategic thinking skills and, not least, to meet with others keen to develop their understanding of the global security environment.

The ISI Pro programme also offers an excellent opportunity for ISI alumni to take their understanding of the international security environment to the next level while working with career professionals and renewing their connections with Cambridge.

Programme Dates

Check in: Monday 6th April 2026 from 2pm.

Programme starts: Tuesday 7th April 9am – Friday 17th April 12pm.

Check out: Friday 17th April 2026.

ISI Pro Course Description

Building on CSi’s strong connections with leading practitioners and academic researchers in the fields of security and intelligence, this advanced course brings together experts and professionals to examine critical global security challenges and their impact on governments, citizens, businesses and international organisations.

With a special focus on the role of intelligence in shaping international relations, security and defence policies, ISI Pro offers invaluable insights into how to navigate today’s complex security landscape.

  • Organised into masterclasses, presentations and break-out sessions, the programme delves into the most urgent security crises around the world as well as the enduring challenges to world order and the fundamental security dilemmas they pose.
  • Key themes to be examined will include; intelligence success and failure, information and cyber warfare, counter-terrorism strategies, regional crises, security architectures and the geopolitical implications of emerging technologies including AI and quantum computing.
  • The role of intelligence in statecraft and the ‘missing dimension’ of intelligence in international affairs will also be explored. In the context of great power competition, regional actors including Russia and China will be examined as will the crises in the Middle East and Ukraine. Presentations on ethics, leadership, strategy, the role of private sector business intelligence, as well as perennial security threats such as terrorism, sabotage, counterintelligence, and insider threats will also be explored.
  • Former intelligence officials, policymakers, and leading academics will bring real-world insights and cutting-edge research to the classroom.

Course convener, Dr. David Gioe, Visiting Professor in the Department of War Studies, KCL brings a quarter century of ‘pracademic’ experience as a former intelligence officer and leading scholar of intelligence in international affairs. He is a former British Academy global professor in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London and before that was associate professor at the US Military Academy at West Point. With Professor Michael Goodman, he is Co-convener of the ISI Programme. He is a former CIA analyst and operations officer and a US Navy veteran. 

Dr. Gioe will be joined by fellow leading academics from the intelligence and international security communities and former senior practitioners. Many of these have taught regularly on the ISI programme (see the faculty page) and/or are frequent presenters at CSi’s annual conference, ‘Intelligence and National Security in Changing World.

Application and Fees

A professional CV or resume should be submitted with a short statement of purpose (not to exceed 500 words) detailing how ISI-Pro fits into career goals and what perspectives or expertise the applicant might bring to ISI Pro.

  • A character reference from your current employer.
  • A non-refundable application fee of £150 is due at the time of application.
  • Applications will be assessed within two weeks of submission.
  • To secure a place, the programme fee must be paid in full within 2 weeks of notification of acceptance.
  • The Programme Fee which includes the academic programme and a single occupancy bedroom with en-suite facilities as well as a daily continental breakfast, lunch on weekdays and several ‘formal halls’ – £3,700.

Once an applicant is admitted they will receive a registration form completion of which, together with the programme fee, will secure a place on the ISI Pro Programme 2026.

Cancellation Fees

Applicants who cancel and withdraw from the programme fee are charged a percentage of the programme fee as follows:

75 days+ 10% cancellation fee
75 to 30 days 50% cancellation fee
30 to 0 days 100% cancellation fee

CSi looks forward to receiving your application. Please apply here.

Visa and Insurance Information

Insurance:

All participants must ensure that they have adequate insurance prior to travelling to Cambridge. Insurance should cover:

  • all international medical and emergency expenses;
  • loss or damage to your personal belongings while you are travelling to/from and during your stay in the UK;
  • personal liability. [Personal liability insurance protects you from financial losses if you are held responsible for bodily injury or property damage to a third party. It covers the legal costs and damages you may be required to pay as compensation.]

Visa:

If you require a visa, you can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. It is your responsibility to check if you require a visa to enter the UK, so please factor in the time it will take to apply for one.

You will also need to check if you require an ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)’ – most Europeans and north Americans will need one of these.  Details can be found here.

You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK.

If you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

Please check you meet the eligibility requirements on the UK Government Website.

Additional Information about UK Visas can be found here.

Please note the following:

  • The Cambridge Security Initiative is responsible to the UK Border Force for monitoring attendance at the programme to ensure that students comply with the terms of their visa.
  • You are strongly advised to make copies of your passport, visa letter and insurance policies prior to travelling and to keep these separate from the originals.
  • If you arrive in Cambridge without the correct immigration clearance for short-term study, we will not permit you to start the programme. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa clearance to participate in ISI Pro.