Overview

Course overview

The Defence Studies Department welcomes applications from outstanding candidates to the Defence Studies Research PhD programme.

You will join a thriving interdisciplinary research community at the Defence Studies Department, uniquely based at the UK Defence Academy. Drawing on expertise from academics, military professionals, policymakers, and international partners, the programme offers a distinctive environment for research that informs security and defence thinking in the UK and beyond.

You will undertake original research across areas such as strategic studies, international relations, military history, security studies, and the ethics of conflict, while receiving expert supervisory support. Through engagement with the Department’s research centres, seminars, and networks, you will develop the knowledge and skills to contribute to academic scholarship and real-world policy debates on contemporary defence and security challenges.

Blended Distance Learning pathway

This pathway is intended for well-qualified students whose professional commitments prevent fulfilling the normal residency requirement of the PhD programme at King’s. Supervision will normally be at a distance, and students must participate in the usual formal progress reviews which manage study on the programme.

It is expected that most students will study the distance learning programme on a part-time basis. Minimum attendance requirements on this pathway require students to attend in London at three key points:

Enrolment and Induction (late September or mid-January, depending on start date). All students must enrol (register) in person at the start of their course and attend the programme induction.
Formal upgrade from MPhil to PhD status (between 9-18 months if fulltime; 12-36 months if part time).

Final Examination for the degree (at the end of your course).

Beyond the formal attendance requirements of the programme set out above, students are welcome to visit King's as often as their schedule permits and are expected to participate in the academic activity of the department.

As this is a distance learning programme requiring only short visits to the UK, many of our students need to enter the UK as a ‘Student Visitor’. Find out about VISA requirements.

Key benefits

Join one of the world's only academic departments dedicated to conflict, security and international politics, and become part of the largest community of security and international relations scholars worldwide.
Work closely with internationally recognised academics, whose research and influence takes them to the forefront of global events as they happen, providing exceptional supervision and networking opportunities.
We have a unique position as an academic department based at the UK Defence Academy. We are able to draw on the experiences and knowledge of not only UK officers, but officers from a wide range of allied nations.
Benefit from access to seminars, conferences, workshops and networking events across King's College London, the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, and specialist research centres.
Enhance your professional and research skills through specialist training offered by the King's Doctoral College and the London Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Training Partnership (LISS-DTP) supporting your development for careers in academia, policy and beyond.

Who is this programme for?

The department is interested in receiving applications from planning research projects in fields that enhance the strength of the Department’s research groups and centres. Details of these can be found on the Defence Studies website, as well as a full list of staff and their research interests.

Please note that the Blended Distance Learning option is intended for mid-career professionals whose work commitments prevent them from fulfilling the normal residency requirement of the PhD programme at King’s. Students will usually be working in an area relevant to this area of study and be based outside the UK.