SIA Accreditation (United Kingdom)

To succeed as a professional in the modern close protection landscape, you, as a UK citizen / resident, are often faced with a "Hobson’s choice." If you attend a standard UK-accredited course alone, you will meet the regulatory requirements for the UK but you will often lack the advanced, hands-on tactical skills required for high-threat international deployments. 

Conversely, if you attend Ronin SA alone, you gain the world-class tactical training necessary to operate globally but you do not satisfy the specific regulatory requirements to work legally in the UK.

On designated Synergy course dates, Ronin SA combines the Ronin SA Advanced Close Protection Course with a UK Licensing component, to bridge this gap. This dual-pathway ensures you possess both the formal credentials required for UK compliance and the battle-tested, real-world methodology required for successful international operations.

1. The PPA Synergy Route

To provide a seamless pathway to UK SIA licensing, Ronin SA operates as an official satellite centre for Principal Protection Academy (PPA), a Qualifications Network (QN) accredited centre in Barnsley, United Kingdom. 

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) of the United Kingdom (UK) currently requires a "Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry" which is comprised of the following modules:

1. Principles of Working as a Close Protection Operative in the Private Security Industry
2. Working as a Close Protection Operative in the Private Security Industry
3. Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry
4. Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry
5. Knowledge of Door Supervision Responsibilities for Close Protection Operatives
6. Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry (Close Protection)
7. Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry (Door Supervision)

Our Synergy training model delivers an efficient route to the Level 3 Certificate qualification while retaining the high-level tactical training our graduates are known for.

• How it works:

  • Phase 1 (South Africa): SIA Modules 1–3 are delivered in South Africa on designated Synergy course dates in conjunction with PPA. 
    
    Please note that NO other course dates will cover the requisite UK Modules.
    
    

  • Phase 2 (United Kingdom): Modules 4–7 are completed over a four-day intensive period in the UK, where final examinations for all modules are conducted by PPA.
    
    

• The Investment: Upon successful graduation of the South African phase, Ronin SA will pay for all initial PPA tuition and examination fees on your behalf (excluding travel to & accommodation in the UK).
  
  

• Why this model?

  • We believe this hybrid model prioritises the training that truly matters for your international operational success:

    • Maximising Tactical Relevance: By maintaining the focus of our South African training, we dedicate essential time to high-value skills such as advanced driving (skidpan, raceway and convoy operations), dynamic tactical firearms training (live ranges and tactical house applications) as well as reality-based physical conflict management.
      
      
    • Efficiency for International Students: To ensure our international students derive the most value from their time with us, we have excluded the 'Door Supervision' modules, as this UK-specific content is not applicable to their professional requirements.
      
      
    • Preserving Tactical Integrity: Our Close Protection physical intervention syllabus—refined over three decades—is built for global, real-world relevance. We maintain our own methodology because the mandatory "non-pain compliant" UK SIA module lacks tactical effectiveness in a global setting and conflicts with our point of view.
      
      

Please note: the quote currency and country-specific discounts are determined by your country of residency, and South African residency pricing explicitly excludes the SIA module. If you select South Africa as your residency to access the discounted rate, you will not complete the SIA module and will be unable to register as a Close Protection Officer with the SIA in the UK.

2026 Synergy Course Dates

If you are a UK Citizen / Permanent Resident, kindly take note that all Ronin SA Courses in 2026 are Synergy Courses with the UK component taking place at regular intervals.

2027 Synergy Course Dates:

If you are a UK Citizen / Permanent Resident and would like to follow the Synergy Course pathway, please ensure you book one of these courses in 2027:

• Course 1: 10 Jan – 12 Feb (SA) | 16 – 19 Feb (UK)

• Course 2: 27 June – 30 July (SA) | 3 – 6 Aug (UK)

2. The Ops Con Route

If you prefer to keep your training separate or want the flexibility to attend a standard UK-accredited course on your own timeline, you may choose to attend a standard 3-week UK course either prior to or following your attendance at the Advanced Ronin SA Close Protection Course.

• The Partnership: We recommend The Ops Con, a training centre in London run by a Ronin SA graduate. They provide regular, high-standard courses that meet the necessary UK requirements.
• The Advantage: If you book both your courses through The Ops Con, you will receive a discount on your Ronin SA course fees on application.

• Arrangement: Please note that these UK-accredited courses are managed independently of Ronin SA, and attendance is arranged and paid for directly by the student. 

3. The Independent Route

If neither of the above options fits your specific needs, you are welcome to fulfil your UK licensing requirements through any other UK-accredited provider of your choosing. You may arrange and attend a standard UK course before or after your Ronin SA training at your own convenience. Please note that in this scenario, all arrangements, bookings and course costs for both Ronin SA and the external UK provider are handled independently by the student.