| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
War 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
Course Essentials
The MA in War Studies is the oldest degree programme in the Department of War Studies, stretching back some 60 years. A central objective of the MA from its beginnings has been to offer a thorough, state-of-the art introduction to the major issues and debates concerning war and its impact on the world.
Base Campuses
- Strand Campus: Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
- Waterloo Campus: Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Regulating Bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Entry Requirements
UK Applicants
- Standard requirements: A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above
- Programme-Specific Requirements: Undergraduate degree with high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 65% 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
Teaching & Structure
Teaching Methods
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Self-Study
Location
The majority of learning for this course takes place at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses.
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
- Theory & Practice of War (45 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional Modules
In addition, you will take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include:
- Contemporary War & Warfare (30 credits)
- Diplomacy & Foreign Policy (30 Credits)
- Negotiation, Mediation and Dialogue (30 credits)
- Post-Conflict Peacekeeping (30 credits)
- Comparative Civil Wars (30 credits)
- Strategic Thought (30 credits)
- Cyber Security (15 credits)
- Armchair Intelligence- Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)
- Dirty Wars Covert Wars, Political Warfare, and National Security (30 credits)
Employability
War Studies Graduates go on to work for NGOs, the FCO, the MOD, the Home Office, NATO, the UN or pursue careers in journalism, finance, academia, the diplomatic services, the armed forces and more.
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
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
- The Home deposit is £500.
- The International deposit is £2000.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
- Library fees and fines.
- Personal photocopies.
- Printing course handouts.
- Society membership fees.
- Stationery.
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
- Graduation costs.
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.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The War Studies MA program at King's College London offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of war and conflict as a central human experience. It delves into the causes, conduct, and consequences of war through a diverse lens, including historical, political, sociological, philosophical, artistic, legal, and ethical perspectives. The program's central objective is to provide a thorough and state-of-the-art understanding of the major issues and debates surrounding war and its impact on the world. It achieves this by:
- Examining war and conflict through a multi-faceted and wide-ranging approach, allowing students to benefit from the perspectives of historians, social scientists, philosophers, jurists, and artists.
- Equipping students with an intellectual toolkit of skills and techniques drawn from various disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, providing a solid foundation in the study of war.
- Combining and integrating diverse perspectives to enable students to achieve a sophisticated and well-rounded understanding of the subject area. The program is designed for students from diverse backgrounds, including those with a background in politics, history, strategic studies, or other fields with an interest in war. It also caters to professionals in defense, diplomacy, or foreign affairs who seek to enhance their understanding of the broader implications of their experiences.
Outline
The War Studies MA program at King's College London consists of 180 credits, divided into required and optional modules.
Required Modules:
- Theory & Practice of War (30 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional Modules:
Students must choose 90 credits of optional modules, which can include:
- Contemporary War & Warfare (30 credits)
- Diplomacy & Foreign Policy (30 Credits)
- Comparative Civil Wars (30 credits)
- Cyber Power and Cyber Strategy (15 credits)
- Strategic Thought (30 credits)
- Armchair Intelligence- Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)
- Dirty Wars Covert Wars, Political Warfare, and National Security (30 credits)
- Other optional modules available within the Department of War Studies. The program can also be taken as part of a partnership between King's College London and Sciences PO, allowing students to study for two years in both Paris and London.
Assessment
The primary methods of assessment for the program include:
- Assessed essays
- Individual and group presentations
- Seminar participation
- Exercises
- Exams The dissertation module is assessed solely on a 100% dissertation assignment, which can be up to 12,000 words in length.
Teaching
The program utilizes a blended learning approach that combines:
- Face-to-face teaching in the form of lectures and seminars.
- Innovative technology for enhanced learning and assessment. The course adopts a flexible delivery method to ensure a rich and rewarding experience for all students.
Careers
War Studies graduates from King's College London pursue diverse career paths in various sectors, including:
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- UN
- Journalism
- Finance
- Academia
- Diplomatic services
- Armed forces Recent graduates have secured positions such as:
- Threat Analyst
- Director of Political Violence Forecasting
- Foreign Policy Fellow
Other
The program also offers the following:
- Taster lectures and talks
- Opportunities to meet current staff and students
- Access to the King's Living Bursary for eligible students
UK: Full time: £18,258 per year (2024/25) Part time: £9,129 per year (2024/25) International: Full time: £33,258 per year (2024/25) Part time: £16,629 per year (2024/25) These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Deposit Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment. The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000. If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer. If you receive an offer between 16 July and 15 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
-
Entry Requirements:
UK Applicants:
- Minimum High 2:1 Undergraduate Bachelor's (Honours) Degree:
- This translates to an overall average of at least 65% across all years of study.
- If your degree classification is lower than a high 2:1, or your degree is in an unrelated subject, your application may still be considered if you can demonstrate:
- Significant relevant work experience.
- A related postgraduate qualification (such as a Master's or PG Dip).
- Specific Undergraduate Degree:
- Your undergraduate degree should be in history, international relations, political science, economics, or another appropriate subject.
International Applicants:
- Equivalent International Qualifications: You can access this tool by selecting your country of origin from the provided list.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- English Language Band: B
- You will usually be required to provide certification of your English language proficiency before starting your studies.
- Exemptions:
- Nationals of majority English-speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test.
