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You are viewing a course in Conflict and security

Postgraduate degree

Political and Strategic Communication 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

Key benefits

• Develop skills for in-depth analytical and critical thinking about political communication and international politics.
• Engage with cutting-edge research in the field of political and strategic communications – and adjacent disciplines, such as International Relations.
• Engage with, and contribute to, our vibrant research community, which comprises of world-renowned staff and international students from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds.
• Work with some of the world's best academics in the field on your research projects. Our staff publish world-leading research and offer outstanding research-led teaching and training.
• Develop the media and audio-visual production skills necessary to present your research in an Audio Visual format.
• Reflect on your own communication practice to be able to communicate ethically.
• Grow your networks with employers, think-tanks, organisations, policymaking bodies in the UK and globally.
• Enjoy living and studying right in the heart of London beside the River Thames.

Course essentials

The programme endeavours to prepare you and your fellow students to become leaders in government communication, advocacy roles and the wider field of public relations. Students will acquire insights into the dynamics of how decision-makers and media entities engage with war, conflict and security on the global stage. In addition to critically engaging with fundamental communication concepts, you will study topics such as public diplomacy and soft power; misinformation; the impact of new media on perception of conflict; the creation, dissemination and reception of conflict imagery; the influence of news reporting on government policies and NGO initiatives; and the reciprocal effects of governmental communication strategies on media and public perceptions. Central to the distinctive character of this programme is its emphasis on experiential learning in addition to its thorough grounding in theories and concepts. Through practice-based case study, analysis and workshops, you and your fellow students will assume the roles of diverse communication agents and engage in simulated scenarios reflective of real-world contexts. These immersive experiences will facilitate your acquisition of crucial political communication skills and are geared to equipping you with competencies essential for contemporary employment opportunities. This degree can be taken as part of a joint arrangement with our partner institution, Sciences Po that offers a graduate programme in International Affairs.

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

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

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. Applications from students with first degree in other areas, including science, language, and journalism, are also welcome.

International applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view the equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band B. To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Selection process

• Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
• All applications are assessed by a committee of academic tutors. This process takes on average eight weeks.
• Please note that as part of the evaluation of your application you may be required to undertake a Skype interview.

Personal statement and supporting information

• Personal Statement: A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). Please explain why you are interested in this particular programme and outline any relevant experience you have. If there are any anomalies in your academic record, please use the personal statement to explain related extenuating circumstances.
• Previous Academic Study: A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
• References: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
• Other: You may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application.

Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Location

Most of the learning for this degree takes place at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campus, and at Bush House. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.

Assessment

• Essays
• Projects
• Class participation
• Exams
• Dissertation

Assessment methods will depend on the modules selected. The primary method of assessment for this programme is a combination of essays, project work, class participation, and/or exams.

Structure

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

Required modules

• Theories of Communication in War and Peace (30 credits)
• Political and Strategic Communication in Practice (30 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a wide range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies that may typically include:

• Power-Sharing Agreements in Deeply Divided Societies (15 credits)
• The United States and China (15 credits)
• Gender in International Politics and Security (15 credits)
• Comparative Civil Wars (30 credits)
• Negotiation, Mediation and Dialogue (30 credits)
• Russia and the World (30 credits)
• Armchair Intelligence: Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)
• Diplomacy & Foreign Policy (30 credits)

Careers

Employability

After completing the MA programme, students have joined the UK Cabinet Office as Strategic Communicators, or have been employed by communications companies. Students have also been employed in Communication teams at museums, NGOs, and other civilian and military governmental agencies.

This MA equips you to think conceptually about Political and Strategic Communications in the dynamic world of global affairs, as well as how to apply particular practices and techniques to working in the field. The practical dimension of the programme provides you with coveted technological, digital and visual proficiency in conducting and recording interviews, as well as in planning, recording and editing of other digital products. You will also gain familiarity with the composition and manipulation of photographic and cinematic imagery. The programme fosters a disposition towards unconventional information sources, encouraging you to apply your analytical faculties beyond traditional bounds. This is a quality that is indispensable for both autonomous scholarship and professional engagement in the contemporary job market.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK: Full time: MA: £19,550 per year (2025/26), Part time: MA: £9,775 per year (2025/26)
• International: Full time: MA: £35,800 per year (2025/26), Part time: MA: £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

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
• 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.