“With a major war in Europe, conflict in the Middle East and rising tensions in many other parts of the world, the need for informed, creative and innovative practitioners is perhaps greater than ever.”
Professor Kate Utting
20 June 2025
Shaping Tomorrow's Defence Leaders: Defence Studies Department Graduation 2025
Celebrating the achievements of King’s Defence Studies Department ACSC 27 graduates.
On Friday 30 May, the staff of the Defence Studies Department, School of Security Studies and our partners at the Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC) hosted a graduation ceremony for graduands and their families at the UK Defence Academy to celebrate the achievement of the 285 members of the Advanced Command and Staff Course (ACSC) 27. While not everyone could celebrate in person, every member of ACSC 27 can be proud of their remarkable achievements.
Each year, military and security professionals undertaking postgraduate study through King’s Defence Studies Department rise to the challenge of balancing high-level operational responsibilities with academic study. The 2025 graduates were no exception, demonstrating that excellence in both arenas is not only possible—but consistently achieved.
Academic achievement across the cohort
Collectively, UK officers, civil servants and over 100 international course members from allied and partner countries achieved 48 Distinctions, 156 Merits and 54 Pass awards. These were awarded across programmes including the Doctor of Philosophy in Defence Studies, the MA in Defence Studies, the MA in Military & Security Studies, the MSc in Defence Innovation, the MRes in Defence Studies, the PG Diploma in Defence Studies, and the PG Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Professional Education.
These results are impressive statistically and are also a testament to the resilience, discipline and intellectual commitment of students who balance demanding professional roles in the military, civil service, and government defence and security sectors with rigorous academic study. Their success reflects the professionalism and determination that define the DSD community who supported ACSC 27.
Marking the occasion
Professor Kate Utting, who became Head of the Defence Studies Department in 2024, presided over the ceremony. She was joined by Wyn Bowen, Head of the School of Security Studies, and other members of the department's leadership team.
Addressing graduands and guests, Professor Utting underscored the significance of these degrees at a moment of mounting global insecurity:
Graduands received their awards from Lord Simon Stevens, Chair of King’s College Council, and Air Commodore Ian Sharrocks, Director of the JSCSC. In his address, Lord Stevens reflected on the mission that connects King’s and the Armed Forces:
“Nowhere is [our mission] truer than here at the Defence Studies Department, where we share your goal of connecting rigorous thinking with real-world service. This Staff College is where scholarship meets professional responsibility, and where knowledge isn’t just acquired for its own sake, but for the goal of service to society.”
Lord Simon Stevens
Air Commodore Sharrocks, reminded the graduates that:
“The education we provide here is a military essential, not a desirable, because it hones and nurtures the talent needed to confront the many and complex problems that you will face … not just a sound investment for the good of our nations’ security; it is also a tangible investment in you as individuals and demonstrates how highly you are regarded by Defence.”
Air Commodore Ian Sharrocks
Honouring individual excellence
Among those honoured for outstanding academic achievement were Lieutenant Colonel Edward Michell, who received the Dame Vera Laughton-Matthews Prize for the MRes in Defence Studies, and Commander Lee Isted, recipient of the Sir Michael Howard Prize for best academic performance on the MA in Defence Studies.
Both graduates reflected on the impact of learning within a multinational, multidisciplinary cohort. Reflecting on the cohort experience, Commander Isted shared:
“The operational experience of many was intimidating, whilst the life experience of all was mind-blowing. There were natural leaders who I wanted to follow. The diversity of cultures enriched my perspective of life and made me reflect on my cultural biases... I witnessed displays of humility and empathy that made me question my own moral compass. And then there were some particularly incredible people who displayed all of the above.”
Commander Lee Isted shared, Sir Michael Howard Prize Winner (MA Defence Studies)
Since the JSCSC was established in 1997, 5,467 students have graduated with a King’s MA. The Defence Studies Department, part of the School of Security Studies, continues to deliver world-class postgraduate Professional Military and Security Education in partnership with the Defence Academy that equips current and future leaders with the critical thinking, adaptability and strategic insight demanded in today’s uncertain world.
In this story
Head of the Defence Studies Department
Head of the School of Security Studies
Chair of King's College Council
Director of the JSCSC