War Studies Research

Amir
Israel
War Studies Research MPhil/PhD, option of joint PhD with HKU/NUS
After completing a master's degree in International Relations, I was looking for a prestigious doctoral programme with specific expertise in security and terrorism. The Department of War Studies at King's was both an ideal and natural choice. The main reason for choosing the Department of War Studies at King's was the remarkable combination of leading scholars and London's world-renowned political, financial and cultural experiences.
I particularly remember the Model UN Conference that took place at King's in June 2007. I was asked to head the Counter-Terrorism Committee and had the privilege not only to meet and work with outstanding young Londoners but also to be part of a wider educational effort to promote the UN and its multilateral approach.

Benjamin
British
War Studies Research MPhil/PhD, option of joint PhD with HKU/NUS

Choosing King's as the place to undertake my PhD was probably one of the most straightforward choices that I had to undertake in my life, for many reasons. As a starting point, it has a reputation as one of the finest places to undertake research not only in the UK, but internationally.

However, this does not stop there – I've only been here for 3 months, I can already see why it withholds such a fantastic reputation: the conditions for studying are ideal, the expertise within the Department and/or School are of the highest order, whether in terms of dynamism, knowledge or guidance. The library resources are not only wide-ranging but are kept within an ideal setting; the recurring high-profile events and speakers provide students with the opportunity to broaden their horizons by networking or engaging with high caliber practitioners – all this within the focal-point that is the city of London.

It is thus the perfect environment within which to develop your personal, academic and social skills all whilst benefitting from the joys of studying within such a vibrant environment that is King's, in the heart of London.

Elaine
German
War Studies Research MPhil/PhD, option of joint PhD with HKU/NUS

I have previously studied on three continents but my initial time at King's was by far the most remarkable. I did my MA in International Peace and Security in 2008/09 and immensely enjoyed the year both academically and socially. I quite liked the Department's interdisciplinary, yet practice-oriented approach to international security. Thus, returning to King's to pursue a PhD in War Studies seemed like a natural progression.

The Department of War Studies is at the forefront of research both nationally and internationally and I can benefit greatly from the Department's expertise and its excellent institutional links. Especially in my area of research - cyber security - King's offers a unique network of researchers. This network is complemented by an array of think-tanks active in the area of cyber security, as well as relevant government institutions tasked with policy-making in this field.

I was fortunate enough to secure funding from the Graduate School and the ESRC which was among other things a result of the dedicated support I have received from professors and other staff at King's.

King´s location, and in particular the Strand campus, is excellent in terms of centrality and access to other research facilities. Located in the heart of London, the Strand Campus is a stone´s throw away from other libraries such as the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) as well as think-tanks and institutes. In addition to facilities on campus there are numerous shops and cafes in the Strand area. It has everything to offer in terms of infrastructure and provides a student experience in the heart of London.

Being a student in London gives you access to all the things a vibrant, cosmopolitan city has to offer – ranging from theatres and museums, bars and cafes, great shopping, to major political and financial institutions. I like London's diversity and anonymity. With a little experience and knowledge of London's neighbourhoods one can have a great time even with a limited budget. The fantastic thing about London is that it has a lot to offer - in every price range.

Jonathan
UK
War Studies Research MPhil/PhD, option of joint PhD with HKU/NUS
The advantages of King's for my PhD are obvious, aside from having the leading academics in my particular field (naval history, especially the Laughton Naval History Unit), the War Studies Department has an unrivalled UK and global reputation. It provides the opportunity to interact with students and experts in a wide variety of fields both within and outside of the department. Having read for my MA at King's during 2003-04 I was fortunate enough to obtain an AHRC funded research grant for a PhD here. Although it's far from assured, there is a variety of options for funding available from sources at King's and beyond. My advice would be to apply well in advance as the application process takes far longer than you might anticipate.
Being in London makes life incredibly easy as it gives such easy access to a wealth of libraries, institutions and, vitally for a historian, most of the major archives - not to mention the social life it offers. In my case, an unlimited variety of theatres, galleries, museums and markets.
Although only in my first year, I'm ultimately hoping to pursue a career in academic or research-based work. I'm aiming to get some teaching assistant experience during my next two years here, and the department is very proactive about encouraging students to undertake training courses. When it comes to applying for jobs I feel, based on the experience of peers from my MA course, that the King's College London War Studies name on my CV definitely opens doors in the areas that I'm interested in. Lastly, our newly refurbished department has hugely improved the 'quality of life', and students and staff now rub shoulders much more freely. The excellent views, from the research students' room, of the Thames from Westminster down to HMS Belfast and the City constantly remind me what I'm here to study!