Course features

In today’s volatile security environment, innovation isn’t optional—it’s essential. Defence organisations around the world are under pressure to adapt rapidly to emerging threats, technologies, and strategic demands. But what makes innovation successful in such rigid and high-stakes environments?

In this dynamic course from King’s College London, you’ll gain a powerful understanding of how innovation works in the defence sector—and how it can be managed effectively at the strategic level. Led by Dr Bence Nemeth, an internationally recognised expert in defence studies, this course provides the critical insights needed to understand why some organisations adapt and thrive, while others fall behind.

Through a mix of expert instruction and real-world examples, you will explore:

• The difference between innovation and invention, and why it matters

• How organisational cultures, interests and systems shape defence innovation

• What makes military institutions resistant—or open—to transformative change

• How freedom and competition fuel innovation in strategic settings

• Why good ideas often fail to take hold in defence organisations

Whether you work in defence, policy, innovation, or are simply curious about how transformation happens in some of the world’s most structured organisations—this course will give you the tools to think strategically, act innovatively, and lead change where it matters most.

Course format

This course is delivered through the edX learning platform and is designed to be completed in approximately 5 hours.

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Differentiate between innovation and invention in defence

• Understand key types of defence innovation systems

• Explore the structural and cultural barriers to innovation

• Recognise the triggers for strategic-level defence innovation

• Evaluate how freedom enables creative military thinking

• Examine the impact of internal competition on innovation

• Analyse real-world examples of defence innovation in action

• Reflect on why innovation adoption often fails in practice

• Develop systems thinking for strategic transformation

• Gain insight into leading innovation in complex institutions

Entry requirements

No formal requirements. English proficiency recommended (IELTS Level 6).

Further information

King’s College London has partnered with the online education platform edX to deliver self-paced short courses to learners worldwide. Anyone can audit the course materials for free, excluding graded assessments, for a limited time.

For full access to the course, including graded assessments, and to obtain a verified certificate upon successful completion, the USD fee is $249.

The GBP course fee displayed on this page is for illustrative purposes only and subject to change in line with current exchange rates.

Payment for verified access to the course is made directly via edX. Please see edX Terms of Service for further information.