Martyn’s Law: Cardiff Met Starts Counter-Terrorism PgCert 2026

Key Points

• Cardiff Metropolitan University has introduced a unique postgraduate qualification in the UK, which has been developed specifically to respond to Martyn’s Law.
• The Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Counter Terrorism Risk Management will be delivered by Cardiff School of Management and is set to start in January 2027.
• This course will cater for the new Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also referred to as Martyn’s Law, that is anticipated to come into force in spring 2027.
• This qualification aims at professionals working in event and venue management, private security, local authorities, hospitality and the broader public sector.
• Delivery of this course will include intense on-campus sessions, e-learning, and field visits.
• Students will design their very own counter-terrorism risk management plan applicable to their workplace.
• Programme director is Dr Dewi Jaimangal-Jones and Head of Security and Emergency Planning from Cardiff Met, Adrian Dennehy, who used to be a regional chair of Aucso.
• Martyn’s Law is named after Martyn Hett, who was one of 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017; the law came into effect in April 2025.

Cardiff (Wales Times) October 05, 2026 – uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff Metropolitan University has launched the UK’s first postgraduate qualification developed in direct response to Martyn’s Law, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which is expected to come into force in spring 2027. The new Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Counter Terrorism Risk Management, delivered by Cardiff School of Management, begins in January 2027 and is designed to equip professionals with the advanced knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to fulfil the legislation’s requirements.

What is the new Martyn’s Law postgraduate qualification at Cardiff Met?

The Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Counter Terrorism Risk Management is a Level 7, part-time qualification created specifically to address the duties introduced under Martyn’s Law. As reported by Mark Rowe of Professional Security Magazine, Cardiff Metropolitan University has launched the qualification as a result of Martyn’s Law, with the PgCert delivered by Cardiff School of Management beginning in January 2027. The programme covers contemporary terrorism threats, risk assessment methodologies and evidence-based mitigation strategies, enabling participants to analyse threat environments, undertake complex terrorism risk assessments and develop robust counter-terrorism risk management plans.

Who is the Martyn’s Law counter-terrorism course designed for?

The PgCert is aimed at professionals working in security-sensitive environments, including event and venue management, private security, local authorities, hospitality and the wider public sector. As reported by Martin Shipton of Nation.Cymru, the programme is designed for those working in security-sensitive environments and explores contemporary terrorism threats, risk assessment methodologies and evidence-based mitigation strategies. The flexible, part-time structure allows participants to balance study with existing career and personal commitments, with applications now open for January 2027 entry.

How will the Martyn’s Law course be delivered at Cardiff Met?

The course combines intensive on-campus teaching blocks, online learning and practical field visits to enable the analysis of threat environments and the development of counter-terrorism risk management plans. A distinctive feature of the programme is the opportunity for learners to apply their studies directly to their own workplace by developing a bespoke terrorism risk management plan tailored to their organisation’s needs. Dr Dewi Jaimangal-Jones, Principal Lecturer in Events Management and Programme Director for the PgCert in Counter Terrorism Risk Management, said: “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.” He added: “This new programme has been designed to provide practical, applied learning that enables you to make informed decisions and strengthen resilience within your organisation.”

What are the legal duties under Martyn’s Law for venues and universities?

Martyn’s Law, formally the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, became law on 3 April 2025 and is expected to come into force in spring 2027. The legislation covers premises and events with a capacity of more than 200 (‘standard tier’) and requires more of those with a capacity of 800 and above (‘enhanced tier’), including hospitals, pubs and clubs, theatres and concert halls, places of worship and universities. As reported by Mark Rowe of Professional Security Magazine, the legislation passed in April 2025 covers premises and events with a capacity of more than 200 (‘standard tier’) and requires more of those with a capacity of 800 and above (‘enhanced tier’). Higher education establishments will fall into the standard tier if it is reasonable to expect 200 to 799 individuals to be present, and the enhanced tier if it is reasonable to expect 800 or more individuals.

Why was Martyn’s Law introduced after the Manchester Arena attack?

Martyn’s Law is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena suicide bomb attack on 22 May 2017. Adrian Dennehy, Head of Security and Emergency Planning at Cardiff Met and a past regional chair of the university security manager association Aucso, said:

“The awful events of May 22, 2017, when 22 people were murdered in the Manchester Arena bombing, proved to be the catalyst for this much needed change to the legal landscape.”

He added:

“The tireless campaign led by Figen Murray ensured that a devastating terrorist attack ended up making a positive future difference in protecting our communities.”

Dennehy continued:

“Martyn’s Law is a landmark piece of counter-terrorism legislation. Ignorance of the new law will not be an excuse and compliance will be vital for owners of public venues and organisers of public events.”

How does the Cardiff Met course help organisations comply with Martyn’s Law?

The PgCert offers an understanding of the constantly evolving terrorist threat landscape and allows learners to put that understanding into an effective terrorism risk assessment and the creation of a coherent and proportionate plan. As reported by Mark Rowe of Professional Security Magazine, Adrian Dennehy said:

“In addition to the obvious moral perspective, we now have a financial and legal incentive to ensure we protect our communities.”

He added:

“This course offers an understanding of the constantly evolving terrorist threat landscape. Importantly it allows you to put that understanding into an effective terrorism risk assessment and the creation of a coherent and proportionate plan.”

The programme enables participants to develop robust counter-terrorism risk management plans that can be directly applied to their own workplace.

Background: How did Martyn’s Law develop from campaign to legislation?

Martyn’s Law originated from a campaign led by Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received royal assent on 3 April 2025 and is expected to come into force in spring 2027. The legislation requires those responsible for certain premises and events to consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack and consider appropriate steps to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks. About 170,000 to 180,000 premises will fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law, including pubs, hospitals and concert halls. The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) has developed a sector-led framework called the TO PROTECT Model to help higher education institutions implement Protect Duty responsibilities.

Prediction: How will Martyn’s Law training affect security professionals and venue operators?

The introduction of Martyn’s Law is expected to create significant demand for professionals with specialised counter-terrorism risk management skills across the UK. Security professionals, venue operators and local authority staff who complete qualifications such as Cardiff Met’s PgCert will be better positioned to meet compliance requirements and avoid potential legal liabilities. Universities, which generally fall under the enhanced tier due to their large student populations and extensive campus facilities, will require designated senior officers to oversee compliance and provide terrorism protection training to relevant staff. The financial and legal incentives for compliance, combined with the moral imperative to protect communities, are likely to drive widespread adoption of formal counter-terrorism risk management training across the public and private sectors. Organisations that invest in qualified personnel will be better equipped to conduct comprehensive risk assessments, develop detailed response plans and implement rigorous training programmes, ultimately enhancing public safety and reducing vulnerability to terrorist attacks.