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Postgraduate degree

Terrorism, Security & Society MA

Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.

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
Apply

Terrorism today is more deadly than any other time in modern history. From extreme right-wing mass shootings to Islamic State-inspired bombings and conspiracy theory-driven violence, it continues to evolve and adapt to changing environments and technologies. The impact of this form of political violence, however, goes beyond its immediate lethality. As recent events in the Middle-East have demonstrated, terrorism can, in a stroke, upend and drastically change geopolitical landscapes, catalyse new regional conflicts, and sow societal divisions around the world. Guided by leading terrorism and national security scholars and current and former government practitioners, this Master’s level programme will introduce students to this complex and ever evolving phenomenon – its history, causes, and how to combat it at home and abroad. Students will learn, among other things, how terrorists recruit members, the innovative ways they use cutting-edge technologies, and the strategies governments pursue to reduce the threat. The programme is deliberately designed to encourage a multidisciplinary approach which draws on history, political science, international relations and sociology. Students will also learn practical skills including intelligence analysis and how to use open source intelligence (OSINT) in specialised sessions with practitioners.

Key benefits

  • Provides an advanced foundation and comprehensive understanding of relevant issues in the field of security studies, as well as an overview of the theories and paradigms related to the concepts of terrorism and counter terrorism, enabling students to undertake further research or enter into careers targeted at understanding these issues.
  • Develops and nurtures the intellectual and analytical skills of each student, enabling you to conceptualise theories, approaches and problems, gather information, critically analysing the data and information, critically evaluate risk management options, and develop reflexive policy responses.
  • An opportunity to be taught by members of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR), in the Department of War Studies, which is a global centre of excellence that enjoys close relationships with other academic institutions, think-tanks, nongovernmental organisations and policy- making bodies around the world. There are also occasional opportunities for internships and research assistant roles for students.
  • In addition to the academic grounding this MA will provide, we also have a strong practitioner focus with guest lectures and talks from leading figures in social media companies, politics, law enforcement, intelligence, and civil society, as well as government ministers, ambassadors and generals.
  • Our unique course is valued by governments and employers across the world because it prompts you to think about policy challenges in a creative and interconnected way.
  • The course enhances your knowledge about relevant careers and opportunities in the field, exposing you to a range of practitioners who help bridge the gap between academia and industry. Many graduates enjoy careers that take them overseas.
  • Students pursue a variety of careers, including in government agencies to combat the terrorist threat, in the tech industry combatting extremist content online and looking at how terrorists use technology. Students have gone on to work for companies such as Google, Facebook, Palantir, Dataminr, and Graphika.
  • Students have pursued research careers at universities and within think tanks including institutions like RUSI, the International Institute for Security Studies and Chatham House.
  • Within the corporate sector, students have joined political risk firms, providing insights to commercial clients about rapidly evolving terrorist situations and political instability.
  • Our unrivalled location in the heart of London beside the River Thames brings outstanding advantages and excellent academic, social and cultural opportunities. We are close to the seat of government, the City of London, Imperial War Museum, National Maritime Museum, Royal Courts of Justice and the Inns of Court.
Alexandra

“My degree from King’s equipped me with the skillset I needed for all of the positions I’ve held since graduating. The insights I gained though analysing extremist propaganda in courses such as Homegrown Radicalisation proved fundamental in my various positions in cyber intelligence and as a Research Associate.”

Alexandra, Alumni

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. Please see the Teaching & Structure tab above for more information.

Base campuses

The Quad - Strand campus
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 exterior at night.
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

Undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours 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. Candidates who do not achieve a 2:1 but have relevant professional or voluntary experience will also be considered. Mature candidates will be considered favourably.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree. 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 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.

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 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 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 War Studies courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.

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.

The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic workload might look like as you progress through your studies:

Module Lectures, seminars and feedback Self-study
Per 15-credit module 20 hours of teaching. Typically, 2 hours per week over one 10- week term. This can be split into lectures and seminars. A 30- credit module will be double this 130 hours.
Dissertation module (60 credits) Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision. 588 hours.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours work.

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary.

This programme can be taken as part of the partnership between Kings College London and Sciences PO that allows participating students to study for two years, with a year in both Paris and London. On completion of the programme, graduates receive a master's degree from the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po (PSIA), and a master's degree from King's College London. Spanning a wide range of disciplines, this selective programme allows students to customise their training at both universities, and to benefit from the numerous opportunities, networks and services offered on both sides of the Channel.

For further information about the programme, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply, please visit the Paris School of International Affairs’ website.

Assessment

  • Essays
  • Individual & Group Presentations
  • Exercises
  • Seminar participation
  • Exams
  • Dissertation

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. Assessment patterns vary between modules but forms of assessment typically include essays, individual and group presentations, exercises and exams.

The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment.

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

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

Required modules

You are required to take the following modules:

Terrorism & Counter Terrorism (45 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

In addition, you are required to take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include:

Armchair Intelligence- Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)
Home Grown Radicalisation & Counter- Radicalisation in Western Europe & North America (30 credits)
Technology, Security and Global Politics (15 Credits)
The Science and Security of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Weapons (15 credits)
Responding to Terrorism (15 credits)
Gender in International Politics and Security (15 credits)
Sanctions and Economic Statecraft in War and Peace (15 credits)
Negotiation, Mediation and Dialogue (30 credits)

The list of options above is not exhaustive. King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to respond to student demand as well as to provide up to date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. The optional modules available change each year and are therefore only made accessible to enrolled students during the module allocation period. At the start of the programme, you will be asked to select a number of optional modules (more than you are required to take) in preference order. The department will then allocate you the required number of optional credits, endeavouring to give all students as many of their top choices as possible. Please note that, due to limited spaces on each module, we are unable to guarantee that you will be allocated a place on any particular optional module or modules. Part-time students in the first year of study will take Terrorism & Counter Terrorism (45 credits) and up to 45 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will write your Dissertation (60 credits) and take optional modules adding up to the remaining credits. Please note: Teaching for part-time students in the Department of War Studies is scheduled between the hours of 9 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday. Individual student timetables are dependent on the modules chosen and vary each year so we are unable to provide these in advance. Timetables are usually released in mid-September following enrolment.

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

War Studies graduates go on to work for NGOs, the FCO, the MOD, the Home Office, NATO, the UN or pursue careers in journalism, finance, academia, the diplomatic services, the armed forces and more. Recent posts held by our alumni include Threat Analyst, Director of Political Violence Forecasting, Research Advisor at NATO Defence College, Foreign Policy Fellow.

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.

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £19,550 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £9,775 per year (2025/26)

International:

Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £17,900 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.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
  • 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.

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. Please see the Teaching & Structure tab above for more information.

Base campuses

The Quad - Strand campus
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 exterior at night.
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

Undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours 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. Candidates who do not achieve a 2:1 but have relevant professional or voluntary experience will also be considered. Mature candidates will be considered favourably.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree. 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 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.

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 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 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 War Studies courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.

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.

The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic workload might look like as you progress through your studies:

Module Lectures, seminars and feedback Self-study
Per 15-credit module 20 hours of teaching. Typically, 2 hours per week over one 10- week term. This can be split into lectures and seminars. A 30- credit module will be double this 130 hours.
Dissertation module (60 credits) Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision. 588 hours.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours work.

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary.

This programme can be taken as part of the partnership between Kings College London and Sciences PO that allows participating students to study for two years, with a year in both Paris and London. On completion of the programme, graduates receive a master's degree from the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po (PSIA), and a master's degree from King's College London. Spanning a wide range of disciplines, this selective programme allows students to customise their training at both universities, and to benefit from the numerous opportunities, networks and services offered on both sides of the Channel.

For further information about the programme, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply, please visit the Paris School of International Affairs’ website.

Assessment

  • Essays
  • Individual & Group Presentations
  • Exercises
  • Seminar participation
  • Exams
  • Dissertation

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. Assessment patterns vary between modules but forms of assessment typically include essays, individual and group presentations, exercises and exams.

The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment.

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

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

Required modules

You are required to take the following modules:

Terrorism & Counter Terrorism (45 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

In addition, you are required to take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include:

Armchair Intelligence- Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)
Home Grown Radicalisation & Counter- Radicalisation in Western Europe & North America (30 credits)
Technology, Security and Global Politics (15 Credits)
The Science and Security of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Weapons (15 credits)
Responding to Terrorism (15 credits)
Gender in International Politics and Security (15 credits)
Sanctions and Economic Statecraft in War and Peace (15 credits)
Negotiation, Mediation and Dialogue (30 credits)

The list of options above is not exhaustive. King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to respond to student demand as well as to provide up to date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. The optional modules available change each year and are therefore only made accessible to enrolled students during the module allocation period. At the start of the programme, you will be asked to select a number of optional modules (more than you are required to take) in preference order. The department will then allocate you the required number of optional credits, endeavouring to give all students as many of their top choices as possible. Please note that, due to limited spaces on each module, we are unable to guarantee that you will be allocated a place on any particular optional module or modules. Part-time students in the first year of study will take Terrorism & Counter Terrorism (45 credits) and up to 45 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will write your Dissertation (60 credits) and take optional modules adding up to the remaining credits. Please note: Teaching for part-time students in the Department of War Studies is scheduled between the hours of 9 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday. Individual student timetables are dependent on the modules chosen and vary each year so we are unable to provide these in advance. Timetables are usually released in mid-September following enrolment.

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

War Studies graduates go on to work for NGOs, the FCO, the MOD, the Home Office, NATO, the UN or pursue careers in journalism, finance, academia, the diplomatic services, the armed forces and more. Recent posts held by our alumni include Threat Analyst, Director of Political Violence Forecasting, Research Advisor at NATO Defence College, Foreign Policy Fellow.

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.

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £19,550 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £9,775 per year (2025/26)

International:

Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £17,900 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.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
  • 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.

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.

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
Apply

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