Teaching & modules
Modules
Course structure
Courses are divided into modules. Over two years, you will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. All Year 1 students are required to participate in the online induction course.
Required modules
You are required to take the following modules:
- International Relations & Contemporary War 1: Theories & Concepts (15 credits)
- International Relations & Contemporary War 2: Problems & Issues (15 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take 90 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include:
- Conflict in Russia & the Post-Soviet Space (15 credits)
- The Future of War (15 credits)
- History of Contemporary Warfare: the Early Cold War, 1945–1975 (15 credits)
- History of Contemporary Warfare: from Cold War to War on Terror, 1975–2011 (15 credits)
- Insurgency & Counter-insurgency (15 credits)
- Intelligence in War & Peace (15 credits)
- International Law & the Use of Force (15 credits)
- Middle Eastern Security (15 credits)
- Spacepower and War (15 credits)
- Strategic Dimensions of Contemporary Warfare (15 credits)
Teaching methods - what to expect
The course is delivered online, via the King’s College London Virtual Learning Environment (KEATS).
You will study through lively online seminars, where everyone will participate in their own time, guided by one of our expert staff.
If you wish, and are in a position to, you may choose one or two residential modules and study on campus in your second year. For each of these, you will need to attend weekly face-to-face lectures (which are typically 1 – 2 hours long) and weekly hour-long seminars. On-campus study must be arranged with and approved by the Programme Director.
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 of ‘seminars’ (asynchronous online discussions) per week for 10 weeks. |
130 hours |
|
Dissertation (60-credits) |
Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision. |
588 hours |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
- Written assignment
- Exams
Distance Learning Modules are usually assessed by written assignments. Residential modules may have exams. The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment.
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. We may need to request further information from you during the application process.
- Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2026 (23:59 UK time)
- The final application deadline is on 25 August 2026 (23:59 UK time).
After the first application deadline in March:
- if the programme is not yet full, we will continue to accept applications until all available places are filled up to the final application deadlines above.
- if the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications.
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
Online
Study mode:
Part time / Distance Learning
Duration:
Two years
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026