Teaching & modules
Modules
Required Modules
General Pathway
Full-time students are required to take:
- Research Design (15 credits)
- European Studies Dissertation (60 credits)
You must also select one of the following two module options:
- European Union: History, Institutions and Politics (15 credits)
- European Identities and the EU (15 credits)
and 90 credits of optional modules (see below).
French or German pathway
Students must take:
- Research Design (15 credits)
- European Studies Dissertation (60 credits)
You must also select one of the following two module options:
- European Union: History, Institutions and Politics (15 credits)
- European Identities and the EU (15 credits)
AND 30 credits of optional modules offered in semester 1 and equivalent to 60 KCL credits of optional modules while studying abroad
Part-time
As a part-time student you are required to take one of the 15 credit modules during Year 1, and the 15 credits Research Design and Methods module and the 60 credit Dissertation module in Year 2.
Optional Modules
Full Time Students
In addition, you are required to take a range of optional modules totalling 90 credits.
On the French or German Pathway, you will take 30 credits of optional modules offered in semester 1 and equivalent to 60 KCL credits of optional modules while studying abroad.
Part-Time Students
In addition, you are required to take a range of optional modules totalling 90 credits over the two years.
Part-time students can only follow the General Pathway which means they study at King’s College for the duration of their programme.
- Foreign Policies of the European Union (15 credits)
- Democratic Legitimacy of International Cooperation (15 credits)
- Capitalism, liberalism and democracy (15 credits)
- European Union: History, Institutions and Politics (15 credits)
- The Political Economy of International Migration (15 credits)
- Global Politics: Transatlantic, Transpacific and Eurasia (15 credits)
- Lobbying and Policy Making in the EU (15 credits)
- International Political Economy of Energy Markets (15 credits)
- The Political Economy of Platform Capitalism (15 credits)
- The State in Comparative Perspective (15 credits)
- The International Political Economy of Production (15 credits)
- The Middle East in the Global Political Economy (15 credits)
- The European Union and Global Capitalism (15 credits)
- Power and Poverty in Africa-EU Relations (15 credits)
- Foreign Policy Analysis (30 credits)
- Global Governance and International Organisations (15 credits)
- The Political Economy of Development (15 credits)
- The Political Economy of the Financial Crisis (15 credits)
- The Politics of Economic Inequality (15 credits)
- Quantitative Research Methods (15 credits)
- China’s Global Rise: “Great Power Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics” (15 credits)
- Postcolonial Political Economy (15 credits)
- Multinational Corporations and Global Supply Chains (15 credits)
- Evaluating Public Policy [Department of Political Economy] (15 credits)
- Liberty, Equality and Justice: Political Theory and Public Policy [Department of Political Economy] (15 credits)
- Media Elections and Campaigning [Department of Political Economy] (15 credits)
- Gender Politics and Public Policy [Department of Political Economy] (15 credits)
- The Political Effects of Climate Change [Department of Political Economy] (15 credits)
- Britain & Europe Since 1945 [Department of Political Economy]
- Anglo-American Relations since 1945 [Department of Political Economy] (15 credits)
- Displacement and Development in the Contemporary Era [Department of International Development] (15 credits)
- Environment and Development: Crises, Power, and Transformations [Department of International Development] (15 credits)
- Gender in International Politics and Security [School of Security Studies] (15 credits)
- Ethics in International Relations [School of Security Studies] (15 credits)
- Energy Security and Energy Transition in Eurasia [King’s Russia Institute] (15 credits)
- Russia’s War in Ukraine [King’s Russia Institute] (15 credits)
Students may also take a non-assessed 15 credit language module from King’s Language Centre.
Teaching methods - what to expect
We use lectures, seminars, and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
At King’s, all students on a taught programme are allocated a personal tutor who will play a key role in helping you to get the most out of your studies, providing support and encouragement for your time at university.
Personal tutors provide you with the opportunity to periodically take stock of your learning, academic progress, and general wellbeing as you progress through your studies, offering guidance on how to seek further support if you need it, and how to access the range of opportunities available to you as a King’s student.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Written/practical examinations
- Assessed Essays
- Presentations
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include written examinations, coursework, assessed essays and presentations. You may also benefit from some informal assessment during individual modules to help steer your studies and enhance your learning.
Application closing date guidance
Key Information
Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, two years part-time
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026