Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
International Child Rights and Development MA
Key information
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, two years part-time
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180 / ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
Our International Child Rights and Development MA is a multidisciplinary course designed to promote a rigorous academic approach to contemporary issues of childhood internationally. Underpinned by a children’s rights framework, it will help you develop the skills needed for successful multi-agency and multi-professional work and research with and for children in complex contexts. NEW SCHOLARSHIP: We are delighted to offer the International Child Rights and Development MA Scholarship. There are five scholarships available, worth £5000 each, for students beginning their studies in September 2025. See the 'Fees & Funding' tab for more information and a link to apply.
Key benefits
- Multidisciplinary approach.
- Covers latest developments in issues that affect childhood globally.
- Taught by a wide range of external expert speakers, as well as our own staff, from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds.
- Provides the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with students from different disciplines.
“As a professional already working in international development and child protection, the course really helped me to deepen and broaden my knowledge and connect up theory and practice”
Our multidisciplinary course encourages you to take a rigorous academic and analytical approach to issues of contemporary childhood. It is relevant for anyone working or intending to work with, or on behalf of, children and young people internationally and particularly those working or aspiring to work in the humanitarian sector overseas or in statutory or voluntary services in the UK. While underpinned by a children’s rights perspective, we draw on a range of disciplines including sociology and public policy, psychology, education, health and law. We adapt the curriculum and teaching to take account of contemporary global events of significance to the lives of children and young people. Assignments allow students to tailor the programme to their own interests to a significant extent.
Base campus
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
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification in a subject relevant to work with children and/or substantial professional work experience in a relevant field.
If your first degree is in a subject not related to international development or issues affecting children, you should set out what professional or other skills and experience you would bring to the programme. We can consider other backgrounds such as significant working with children, volunteering for an NGO, and teaching English overseas.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International applicants
Equivalent International 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.
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. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal.
A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
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 give your reasons for choice of programme, choosing King's College and for wishing to study at MA level together with an explanation of what you hope to gain from the programme. |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | 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 | Yes | 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 | Optional | Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Check out further information about our Education, Communication and Society courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. A significant proportion of teaching on the course is delivered by expert external lecturers, both academics and practitioners. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work,
|
Module |
Lectures, seminars and feedback |
Self-study |
|
Per 30-credit module |
The teaching contact time for each 30-credit taught module is typically 30 hours. The typical teaching contact time for each 30-credit taught ‘Education’ optional module is 20 hours. Teaching sessions will usually include lectures, and teacher-led and student-led group discussion based on the main areas of study. |
270-280 hours |
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Waterloo Campus. Our location in the heart of London gives you access to the wealth of cultural resources and institutions throughout the capital, as well as experience of life in one of the world’s most exciting and diverse cities. We encourage you to make the most of this location, and our course benefits from local connections. For example, one day of the module Child Health and Development may be taught at King’s College Hospital at the Denmark Hill Campus. Please note that locations may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
Assessment
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include essays, reports, presentations, research proposals and case studies. All students complete a 60-credit dissertation, which is assessed by an extended piece of writing based on independent research on a topic of your choice, related to the course. This dissertation will be supported by a programme of research methods and study skills classes, as well as individual and/or group supervision.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Programmes are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take the following modules:
Children’s Rights (30 credits)
Child Protection (30 credits)
Dissertation (60 Credits)
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of options that may include:
Child Health and Development (30 credits)
Research Methods (15 credits)
Global Childhoods (30 credits)
30 credits from any MA Education programmes or other programme offered at King’s College London subject to availability and timetabling at the discretion of the Programme Director.
Please note: students who are transferring in up to 60 Master’s level credits (e.g. from a PGCE, if taken within 10 years of your completion date of this MA course) will be exempt from the corresponding number of optional module credits, but must take the 60 credit required dissertation research module, as well as the two compulsory taught modules. If your credit transfer is approved, you will also be eligible for a proportional fee reduction, which will be processed following your enrolment into the programme.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
In addition to progressing to Ph.D. study, our graduates are using the skills and knowledge they developed over this course in organisations such as UNICEF, World Vision, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Children and Families Across Borders, and DG ECHO (the Humanitarian Aid arm of the EU).
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
Our professional network
Where can a degree like this take you? Hear from 2018 graduate YingChun Yeh:
Role: School Nurse at Taipei European School (Taiwan)
My role is to provide First Aid Care and Health Education for Secondary Students; Helping peoples’ lives become easier and better. I'm lucky to have a chance to be a school nurse at the Taipei European School to help students who come from different countries. For me, is not just a job, to a certain extent, it fulfils my eagerness to work in a global NGO. King's diverse learning environment gave me a chance to visit the Mary Sheridan Centre for Child Health. As a Taiwanese registered nurse, it was an unforgettable experience I learned a lot about how community service works in the UK. Although every service system has its pros and cons, this experience truly inspired me and made me think about what I can try in my position.
YingChun's top career tip:
Try everything you are interested. Learn from a person who can inspire you a lot. Set up a goal you would like to reach. Build perseverance and resilience.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
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.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- 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 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
International Child Rights MA Scholarship 2025/26
The scholarship is open to students who are applying to the MA International Child Rights and Development programme at King’s College London. Successful applicants for the Scholarship must also receive an offer and fulfil all conditions of entry to receive the tuition fee discount.
You can find out more about the scholarship and eligibility here. Applications close at 5pm BST 23 May 2025 for international students and 5pm BST 23 June 2025 for home students
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- 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, between campuses and for project placements.
- 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.
Our multidisciplinary course encourages you to take a rigorous academic and analytical approach to issues of contemporary childhood. It is relevant for anyone working or intending to work with, or on behalf of, children and young people internationally and particularly those working or aspiring to work in the humanitarian sector overseas or in statutory or voluntary services in the UK. While underpinned by a children’s rights perspective, we draw on a range of disciplines including sociology and public policy, psychology, education, health and law. We adapt the curriculum and teaching to take account of contemporary global events of significance to the lives of children and young people. Assignments allow students to tailor the programme to their own interests to a significant extent.
Base campus
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
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification in a subject relevant to work with children and/or substantial professional work experience in a relevant field.
If your first degree is in a subject not related to international development or issues affecting children, you should set out what professional or other skills and experience you would bring to the programme. We can consider other backgrounds such as significant working with children, volunteering for an NGO, and teaching English overseas.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International applicants
Equivalent International 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.
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. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King's Apply, the Admissions Portal.
A non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
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 give your reasons for choice of programme, choosing King's College and for wishing to study at MA level together with an explanation of what you hope to gain from the programme. |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | 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 | Yes | 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 | Optional | Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Check out further information about our Education, Communication and Society courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. A significant proportion of teaching on the course is delivered by expert external lecturers, both academics and practitioners. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work,
|
Module |
Lectures, seminars and feedback |
Self-study |
|
Per 30-credit module |
The teaching contact time for each 30-credit taught module is typically 30 hours. The typical teaching contact time for each 30-credit taught ‘Education’ optional module is 20 hours. Teaching sessions will usually include lectures, and teacher-led and student-led group discussion based on the main areas of study. |
270-280 hours |
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Waterloo Campus. Our location in the heart of London gives you access to the wealth of cultural resources and institutions throughout the capital, as well as experience of life in one of the world’s most exciting and diverse cities. We encourage you to make the most of this location, and our course benefits from local connections. For example, one day of the module Child Health and Development may be taught at King’s College Hospital at the Denmark Hill Campus. Please note that locations may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
Assessment
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include essays, reports, presentations, research proposals and case studies. All students complete a 60-credit dissertation, which is assessed by an extended piece of writing based on independent research on a topic of your choice, related to the course. This dissertation will be supported by a programme of research methods and study skills classes, as well as individual and/or group supervision.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Programmes are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take the following modules:
Children’s Rights (30 credits)
Child Protection (30 credits)
Dissertation (60 Credits)
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of options that may include:
Child Health and Development (30 credits)
Research Methods (15 credits)
Global Childhoods (30 credits)
30 credits from any MA Education programmes or other programme offered at King’s College London subject to availability and timetabling at the discretion of the Programme Director.
Please note: students who are transferring in up to 60 Master’s level credits (e.g. from a PGCE, if taken within 10 years of your completion date of this MA course) will be exempt from the corresponding number of optional module credits, but must take the 60 credit required dissertation research module, as well as the two compulsory taught modules. If your credit transfer is approved, you will also be eligible for a proportional fee reduction, which will be processed following your enrolment into the programme.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
In addition to progressing to Ph.D. study, our graduates are using the skills and knowledge they developed over this course in organisations such as UNICEF, World Vision, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Children and Families Across Borders, and DG ECHO (the Humanitarian Aid arm of the EU).
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
Our professional network
Where can a degree like this take you? Hear from 2018 graduate YingChun Yeh:
Role: School Nurse at Taipei European School (Taiwan)
My role is to provide First Aid Care and Health Education for Secondary Students; Helping peoples’ lives become easier and better. I'm lucky to have a chance to be a school nurse at the Taipei European School to help students who come from different countries. For me, is not just a job, to a certain extent, it fulfils my eagerness to work in a global NGO. King's diverse learning environment gave me a chance to visit the Mary Sheridan Centre for Child Health. As a Taiwanese registered nurse, it was an unforgettable experience I learned a lot about how community service works in the UK. Although every service system has its pros and cons, this experience truly inspired me and made me think about what I can try in my position.
YingChun's top career tip:
Try everything you are interested. Learn from a person who can inspire you a lot. Set up a goal you would like to reach. Build perseverance and resilience.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
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.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- 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 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
International Child Rights MA Scholarship 2025/26
The scholarship is open to students who are applying to the MA International Child Rights and Development programme at King’s College London. Successful applicants for the Scholarship must also receive an offer and fulfil all conditions of entry to receive the tuition fee discount.
You can find out more about the scholarship and eligibility here. Applications close at 5pm BST 23 May 2025 for international students and 5pm BST 23 June 2025 for home students
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- 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, between campuses and for project placements.
- 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.
Application closing date guidance
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.
The final application deadlines for this programme are:
· Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
· Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
If the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications. Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.
Related courses including study abroad
Double Masters in Policies & Governance in Europe MAKey information
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, two years part-time
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180 / ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
Contact us
Open days and events
Chat with current students and King's staff to find out about the courses we offer, life at King's and ask any questions you may have.
Further your career with an MA in International Child Rights and Development
King's are pleased to offer scholarships to the MA International Child Rights and Development for five exceptional home or...
Find out more about our King's accommodation
Discover your accommodation options and explore our residences.
Chat to students and staff
Chat to current students and staff to find out about life at King's.
Connect with a King’s Advisor
Want to know more about studying at King's? We're here to help.
Learning in London
King's is right in the heart of the capital.