Strand Campus
Strand Campus sits along the Thames at London's cultural heart. Alongside world-class teaching spaces, students enjoy access to the pedestrianised Strand Quad, with Somerset House and iconic landmarks just steps away.
Overview
Despite the return of great power competition, land war in Europe, and rapid technological change, terrorism remains one of the defining security challenges of our time because it shapes international politics, domestic security, and social cohesion. Within an eighteen-month window starting in October 2024, non-state terrorist actors plunged several countries in the Middle East into war, brought two nuclear powers to blows on the Indian subcontinent, and installed a man once arrested as a terrorist insurgent into the palace of Damascus.
Terrorism imposes huge costs on society that go beyond the initial death and destruction caused by the attack. It profoundly affects our daily lives in a multitude of ways, including security checks and changes to public spending and infrastructure. It also sows social division along gendered, racial, ethnic, and confessional lines.
The programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach to its teaching methods, drawing on history, political science, international relations, sociology, and cognitive science. It brings together leading academic experts and frontline practitioners from both government and industry to help you interrogate this complex and evolving phenomenon. Building on a strong theoretical background, the programme foregrounds practical experience - allowing you to better understand how theory is applied in practice, in a wide variety of settings—from government to intelligence through to policing, defence, technology companies, and civil society.
The compulsory module addresses key foundational issues including the history of terrorism throughout the 20th century, debates around how to define and conceptualise it, and how to effectively combat terrorist actors while preserving civil liberties and human rights. Once students are equipped with this foundational knowledge, the module will introduce them to in-depth assessments of some of the most active and threatening current terrorist groups and movements. Near the conclusion of the year, students will take part in practical simulation exercises guided by former security and intelligence practitioners where students will be given the opportunity to put all they have learned into practice.
Key benefits
- Study one of the world's first and leading Master's programmes on terrorism and political violence, delivered by internationally recognised experts in the Department of War Studies.
- Develop a deep understanding of terrorism, extremism, insurgency, and counterterrorism, examining these issues through historical, political, sociological, psychological, and strategic perspectives.
- Learn from both academics and practitioners, including professionals working in government, intelligence, policing, defence, technology, media, and civil society.
- Build advanced analytical and research skills, enabling you to critically assess complex security challenges, evaluate policy responses, and communicate evidence-based conclusions.
- Explore contemporary challenges at the forefront of the field, including online radicalisation, emerging technologies, disinformation, political violence, and the evolving nature of terrorist threats.
- The Department offers a varied list of interdisciplinary optional modules (approx. 35-45) that are open to students on all residential MA programmes. This provides an opportunity to focus or broaden your MA studies as you wish. (Please note that due to the large number of optional modules we offer, the spaces on any particular module are limited). See ‘Teaching & Modules’ tab for more information.
- Benefit from King's extensive professional networks, with opportunities to engage with policymakers, researchers, industry experts, and leading organisations working across the security sector.
- Join a global alumni community whose members work in government, international organisations, technology firms, think tanks, academia, journalism, risk consultancy, and the wider security profession.
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.
AlexandraAlumni
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Please note the course details apply to 2026 entry.
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