Teaching & modules
Modules
Programmes are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits as outlined below.
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, and not all optional modules given below are offered every year.
Required Modules
You are required to take the following modules:
- Dissertation / Research Projects (60 credits)
- Prime Ministers and No.10 Downing Street 1945-79 (30 credits)
- Prime Ministers and No.10 Downing Street since 1979 (30 credits)
Optional Modules
- Chancellors and the Treasury: Managing the British Economy (15 credits)
- New Labour Years: The Blair Brown Revolution (15 credits)
- London: Governing the Global City (15 credits)
- Making Modern Britain: Pivotal Prime Ministerial Decisions (15 credits)
- The History of The Civil Service: Evolution of the Machinery of Government (15 credits)
- The Conservative Years: Governing in an Age of Turmoil (15 credits)
- History of Prime Ministerial & Whitehall defence, security and intelligence decision making (15 credits)
Or choose from a range of optional modules available within the Policy Institute if they are offered and approved by the Programme Director.
Part-Time Students
Part-time students are advised to take 90 credits of taught modules in their first year, including the first required No.10 module and their choice of optional modules, thereby allowing enough time to focus on the second required No. 10 module and Dissertation in their second year.
Part-Time International Students and paid or unpaid work
Please note that for international students, UK Government guidelines are currently more restrictive for those holding part-time visas than full-time visas. If you hold a student visa for a part-time programme, you will not have the right to undertake any work, paid or unpaid, in the UK.
Teaching methods - what to expect
We will teach you through a combination of lectures and seminars, typically 20 hours per module. We also expect you to undertake 130 hours of independent study for each module.
|
Module |
Lectures, seminars, tutorials and feedback |
Self-study |
|
Per 15-credit taught module |
20 hours. |
130 hours
|
|
Per 30-credit taught module |
40 hours |
260 hours |
|
Dissertation module |
Usually 5 contact hours of one-to-one or group consultation with supervisors. |
595 hours of self-study and project work. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Dissertation
- Essays
- Written assignment
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework. Forms of assessment typically include essays and other written assignments. All students also undertake a research-based dissertation.
Application closing date guidance
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
Full-time: one year; part-time: two years.
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026