Program Overview

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PhD Modern War Studies

Course Overview

The University of Buckingham’s PhD in Modern War Studies and Contemporary Military History seeks to provide the trained minds to understand why war and how wars are fought, and their influence on politics, economics, society and culture.

Start and Duration

• Sep, 3 years
• Sep, 6 years
• Jan, 3 years
• Jan, 6 years

Level and Qualification

• Research
• Doctor of Philosophy

UK and International Fees

• From £8,267 per year (UK)
• From £14,500 per year (International)

Campus and School

• London
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences

About the Course

The PhD programme is based in London, but its students can be located wherever their research demands and there is a choice full time or part time study. For those based in the UK, full use can be made of well-established relationships with some of the most important research facilities and institutions in the country.

Developing Potential

All PhD students benefit from:

• Programme Induction
• Research Skills Seminars/Lectures
• PhD Research Group Seminars
• Specialist Supervision and Tutorials
• Invitations to attend a series of evening seminars held at the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall and a course study day at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Seminar Dates and Venues

• Induction and Research Skills Day: Humanities Research Institute, 51 Gower Street, London WC1E
• Seminar Dinners: Army and Navy Club, 36-39 Pall Mall, St. James’s. London SW1Y 5JN
• Study Day at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst: The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey GU15 4PQ

Supervision

Each student is allocated two supervisors. There is a First (or Principal) Supervisor, who is the student’s regular guide during his or her research, and with whom the student meets regularly throughout the year. There is also a Second Supervisor, whom the student may consult on a more limited basis where a ‘second opinion’ on a particular draft chapter may be helpful.

Current Supervisors

• Dr Andrew Boyd – 20th Century naval history and new security challenges
• Professor Lloyd Clark – History of the British Army; military transition and change; lesson learning; leadership and command
• Dr Andrew Lownie – Modern British history and espionage
• Professor Sir Geoffrey Nice – Human Rights Law
• Dr Ife Oakafor-Yarwood – Multidisciplinary approaches to security, the environment and maritime governance in Africa
• Dr Gareth Price – Strategy, armed forces, politics and economics in south Asia
• Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Christopher Pugsley – The military history of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces
• Major General (retd) William Robbins – Command, leadership and organisational culture.
• Professor Matthias Strohn – History of European Armies; fighting methods; doctrine and command, counter-insurgency.
• Dr Andrew Tchie – Security, stabilisation and peace operations in Africa
• Dr Paddy Walker – Future warfare/rules; military ethics; military technology
• Dr Aaron Edwards – Insurgency and COIN; terrorism

Current PhD Topics

• Retaining Women: A Review of women in the British Army
• Re-evaluating Counterinsurgency: The British Army and its Methods during the early years of the Malayan Emergency 1948 –1952
• Strategic Leadership and Change: Generalship in the British Army since 1991
• Framing War: The responses of The Times and The Guardian newspapers and their respective letter writers to the UK Government’s narrative framing of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Private Military Companies and the Fight Against Terrorism
• Criminal activities in Sahel: The relationship between organized crime and terrorism, and its implications for regional security and development
• India’s Strategic Culture: Understood as a Convergence of Western and Eastern Strategic Culture
• The Military Challenges to the Boko Haram Insurgency Campaign Within Nigeria’s Political, Economic, and Societal Contexts
• The Cultures of Remembrance: A Comparison of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Volksbund deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge
• Sub Regional Intervention in West Africa. An Analysis of the ECOWAS Military Intervention In The Gambia
• Facing Cyber Conflict: A Comparative Study of the Doctrinal and Organizational Evolution of NATO’s Top Three Western European Cyberforces (Great Britain, France, Germany)

What Our Students Say

• ‘My PhD in Modern War Studies experience has been thoroughly rewarding and exceeded my expectations. The world-class academic supervision and opportunities have been second to none, opening doors to networks, excellent research facilities and most importantly drawing out my intellectual curiosity to hone my chosen topic’. (Scott Sherriff)
• ‘After years of asking myself should I undertake a PhD, I decided to investigate possible universities to undertake a potential PhD in Modern War Studies. I approached various universities only to be given a number of different dates for an open evenings. It was not until I contacted Buckingham that I received a warm welcome. Within days, I talked with a potential supervisor who was willing to support my interests. Over the past 18 months, the support from the academic community at Buckingham has been unwavering. The opportunities you have to meet and discuss your work with experts in your field are extraordinary. The team at Buckingham is always willing to support you and answer any questions you may have.’ (Richard Jones)
• ‘The Modern War Studies and Contemporary Military History PhD programme has been a formative experience that challenges students to develop their ideas and academic skills. Access to supervisors is excellent and support from the wider academic team and library is readily available online and in-person. The programme has been a superb experience that I can highly recommend to prospective students.’ (Claudia Harvey)

Study Period

Students are registered initially for the degree of PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), although their status is probationary until the first Annual Review has taken place, normally between 12 and 18 months from first registration.

HM Armed Forces Discount

A 20% discount is available on the tuition fees for this programme to all serving members of the British Armed Forces (regardless of rank).

More Information

Enquiries should be directed in the first instance to Professor Lloyd Clark.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are normally expected to have a first or second class, upper division degree or significant experience. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Mature students are welcome to apply.
• International students are welcome to apply.

Selection Process

Candidates apply online, sending in their supporting documents, and will be assessed on this basis by the Programme Director.

Student Contract

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study.

Teaching and Assessment

PhD students undertake supervised but independent research, at the end of which they submit a thesis embodying the results of that research. This thesis must demonstrate familiarity with, and an understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities.

After Your Course

The University’s Course Directors, students’ supervisors, and the Research Officer and Tutor for Graduate Students are available to discuss students’ post-graduation plans and how they may utilise most effectively the skills acquired during their studies.

Course Fees

The fees for this course are:

• Start: Sep 2025
  • Type: Full-time (3 Years)
  • First Year: £8,267 (UK), £14,500 (International)
  • Total cost: £24,800 (UK), £43,500 (International)
• Start: Sep 2025
  • Type: Part-time (6 Years)
  • First Year: £4,133 (UK), £7,250 (International)
  • Total cost: £24,800 (UK), £43,500 (International)
• Start: Jan 2026
  • Type: Full-time (3 Years)
  • First Year: £8,267 (UK), £14,500 (International)
  • Total cost: £24,800 (UK), £43,500 (International)
• Start: Jan 2026
  • Type: Part-time (6 Years)
  • First Year: £4,133 (UK), £7,250 (International)
  • Total cost: £24,800 (UK), £43,500 (International)

Postgraduate Loan Scheme

A system of postgraduate loans for Masters’ degrees in the UK is supported by the UK Government. The loan will provide up to £11,222 for taught and research Masters’ courses in all subject areas.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.

Accommodation

Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.

How to Apply

You can apply directly using our online application form.