Program Overview

National Security Studies MA

Key information

Study mode: Full time, Part time Duration: One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180 / ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Programme Description

Our unique National Security Studies MA enables participants to develop an in-depth understanding of national security both in the UK and from an international perspective. The course focuses on cross governmental responses to security challenges and is structured around key themes such as strategy, counter-terrorism, and ethics in national security.

Key Benefits

• Development of strategic analysis and policy development
• Development of in-depth, critical and comparative analysis of national security
• High level oral presentation and effective writing skills
• Transferable skills such as the development of practical, policy-oriented insights into national security coordination and strategy
• Students benefit from the unique central London location, enabling them to participate in a wide range of national security-related activities and events within and beyond King's, and to build their professional networks in the field
• A chance to network and connect with visiting academics, government ministers, diplomats and other experts in the field of national security

Course Essentials

The programme’s core module adopts a staged, thematic approach by addressing issues of structure, processes, tools, and application (case studies). First, students are provided with an introduction to the historical, conceptual and practical dimensions of the developing a comprehensive ‘national security approach’. Students become acquainted with the structures of national security by studying aspects of the national security architecture ranging from National Security Councils to strategic reviews, such as the recent UK Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study

Assessment

• Essays
• Individual & Group Presentations
• Exercises
• Seminar participation
• Exams
• Dissertation

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.

Required Modules

• National Security Studies (45 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies that may typically include:

• Small States and International Security (15 credits)
• Cyber Diplomacy (15 credits)
• The Science and Security of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Weapons (15 credits)
• East Asian Security (30 credits)
• Global Health Security, Science, And War (15 credits)
• Armchair Intelligence- Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)
• War, Technology and Innovation (30 credits)
• Homegrown Radicalisation & Counter-Radicalisation in Western Europe & North America (30 credits)
• Political Violence, Counterterrorism & Human Rights (30 credits)

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 60% across all years of study) in International Relations, War Studies, History, Political Science, Strategic Studies, Criminology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Theology

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications

English Language Requirements

English language band: B

Tuition Fees

UK:

• Full time: £19,550 per year (2025/26)
• Part time: £9,775 per year (2025/26)

International:

• Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26)
• Part time: £17,900 per year (2025/26)

Deposit

• Home deposit: £500
• International deposit: £2000

Additional Costs

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts/binding costs
• Society membership fees
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
• Graduation costs
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.