Higher education plays an essential role in nuclear security capacity building. It ensures the availability of experts able to provide the necessary competencies for effective national nuclear security oversight of nuclear and other radioactive material and to establish and maintain an appropriate nuclear regime in a State. This publication presents both the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills necessary to meet the requirements described in the international framework for nuclear security. Emphasis is placed on the implementation of these requirements and recommendations in States. On the basis of this guidance, a university should be able to develop its own academic programme tailored to suit State specific educational needs in the area of nuclear security and to meet national requirements.