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King's College London
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Postgraduate degree

War, History and Diplomacy MA

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Our War, History and Diplomacy MA offers a comprehensive examination of military conflict, international security issues, diplomatic practices and global geo-political change. You will study this course online, meaning that you can access our high standard of teaching and expert staff from anywhere in the world without disrupting your personal and professional life.

Key benefits

  • An entirely web-delivered degree course.
  • Be part of a world-leading department, a vibrant research community and an international student body, drawn from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds.
  • Academically rigorous course on which lecturers provide support and guidance.
  • You will develop the skills of in-depth and critical analysis, and become familiar with the latest research in the discipline.
  • Course materials include specially-written content,images, maps, intensively used discussion forums and full access to the resources of our library’s extensive electronic holdings.
  • Maximum flexibility for you: access content and respond to discussion postings in your own time for each study unit
  • If your own circumstances (time commitments, visa, accommodation etc) allow, you may choose, for one term, to take one or two residential modules in our campus in London.
  • As for many of our graduates, this MA enables you to prepare for a career in international, security or military affairs, or upskill yourself for promotion or career change.
Troels

“Studying the MA War in the Modern World, opened several intellectual and professional doors for me. The broad, historical approach to the study of war gave me new knowledge and analytical tools for understanding today’s conflicts. In our discussions we engaged deeply with the work of the greatest theorists of war. My mind was opened to the enduring, as well as the changing, aspects of armed conflicts.”

Troels, Alumni

Our War, History and Diplomacy MA will give you an advanced and comprehensive understanding of the historical evolution of warfare and international security and their contemporary conduct. The interdisciplinary configuration of this programme recognises the vital intersection between practices and ideas of war, security, and diplomacy, bringing together the disciplines of War Studies, History of War, and Diplomatic Studies. It is designed to equip you to engage critically with scholarly debates about the conduct, theory and nature of warfare, diplomacy, the relations between them, and to understand the global and regional contexts in which conflict and diplomatic interaction take place. The course is structured so that you will first develop an understanding of warfare, security issues and geo-political changes. You can then choose optional modules, starting with diplomacy, and write your dissertation on a subject of your choice, giving you the opportunity to concentrate on those aspects of conflict and international relations that interest you most. This MA is based in the Department of War Studies, one of the only academic departments in the world to focus solely on the complexities of conflict and security. War Studies is a multidisciplinary department and all War Studies students benefit from research-led teaching in a broad range of subjects, such as the history and evolution of war and strategy, theories and contemporary problems of international relations, international law, war, ethics and justice, intelligence in war and peace, insurgency and counter-insurgency, seapower, along with regional specialisms covering Africa, Russia, the Middle East and elsewhere.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

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Teaching methods - what to expect

Online Learning - Distance Learning

Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits for the MA.

All Year 1 students are required to participate in the online induction course.

If your own circumstances (time commitments, visa, accommodation etc) allow, you may choose, for one term only, to study in campus in London and take one or two residential modules. We will not be able to sponsor a visa or provide you with accommodation as this is only a flexible option within a distance learning programme.  

Teaching

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 them on campus.  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 

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 Up to 12 hours of online hours, guidance, training workshops and personal supervision. 588 hours

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

    Assessment

    • Distance learning modules are usually assessed by assignments and student participation in the seminar discussions and there are no exams. Residential modules may have exams.
    • The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment (up to 12,000 words).

    Structure

    Required modules

    You are required to take the following modules:

    History of Contemporary Warfare 1: The Early Cold War, 1945-1975 (15 credits)
    History of Contemporary Warfare 2: from Cold War to War on Terror, 1975–2011 (15 credits)
    Dissertation (60 Credits)

    Optional modules

    In addition you are required to take 90 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

    African Security (15 credits)
    Conflict in Russia & the Post-Soviet Space (15 credits)
    Conflict, Rights and Justice (15 credits)
    Insurgency & Counter-Insurgency (15 credits)
    Intelligence in War & Peace (15 credits)
    International Law & the Use of Force (15 credits)
    International Relations & Contemporary War 1: Theories & Concepts (15 credits)
    International Relations & Contemporary War 2: Problems & Issues (15 credits)
    Middle Eastern Security (15 credits)
    Sea Power (15 credits)
    Strategic Dimensions of Contemporary Warfare (15 credits)

    Should you choose and be able to study for a term with us in London, further optional modules shared with other MA programmes will be available to you. We will update you on availability of places every year during the module selection process.

    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. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

    Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

    Employability

    Past students from this course have gone on to build careers in NGOs, civil services, NATO, the UN, media and publishing, finance and investment and teaching, as well as in the armed forces. A number of our students have had articles published in peer-reviewed journals and undertaken further academic research. Several students have gone on to complete a PhD while one teaches part time at King’s. 

    Our graduates have kept in touch and informed us of their achievements which have been provided as student testimonials.

    The King's College London Careers Service actively assists students who would like advice on possible employment options.

    Tuition Fees

    UK:

    Part time: £11,040 per year (2022/23)

    International:

    Part time: £11,040 per year (2022/23)

    These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Should you choose and be able to study with us in London for a term, your fees will remain the same. This programme is only available two years’ part-time. There is no full-time option. Students are generally self-funded. We regret that there are currently no forms of student subsidy or scholarship available for this programme. Fees payable each year: 50% on 31 October and 50% on 31 January

    Deposit

    When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1000 to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

     

    Additional Costs

    In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

    • Books if you choose to buy your own copies
    • Library fees and fines
    • Personal photocopies
    • Printing course materials
    • Travel and accommodation, should you visit
    • Graduation costs

    Funding

    Our War, History and Diplomacy MA will give you an advanced and comprehensive understanding of the historical evolution of warfare and international security and their contemporary conduct. The interdisciplinary configuration of this programme recognises the vital intersection between practices and ideas of war, security, and diplomacy, bringing together the disciplines of War Studies, History of War, and Diplomatic Studies. It is designed to equip you to engage critically with scholarly debates about the conduct, theory and nature of warfare, diplomacy, the relations between them, and to understand the global and regional contexts in which conflict and diplomatic interaction take place. The course is structured so that you will first develop an understanding of warfare, security issues and geo-political changes. You can then choose optional modules, starting with diplomacy, and write your dissertation on a subject of your choice, giving you the opportunity to concentrate on those aspects of conflict and international relations that interest you most. This MA is based in the Department of War Studies, one of the only academic departments in the world to focus solely on the complexities of conflict and security. War Studies is a multidisciplinary department and all War Studies students benefit from research-led teaching in a broad range of subjects, such as the history and evolution of war and strategy, theories and contemporary problems of international relations, international law, war, ethics and justice, intelligence in war and peace, insurgency and counter-insurgency, seapower, along with regional specialisms covering Africa, Russia, the Middle East and elsewhere.

    Regulating bodies

    King's is regulated by the Office for Students

    Loading...

    Teaching methods - what to expect

    Online Learning - Distance Learning

    Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.

    Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits for the MA.

    All Year 1 students are required to participate in the online induction course.

    If your own circumstances (time commitments, visa, accommodation etc) allow, you may choose, for one term only, to study in campus in London and take one or two residential modules. We will not be able to sponsor a visa or provide you with accommodation as this is only a flexible option within a distance learning programme.  

    Teaching

    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 them on campus.  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 

    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 Up to 12 hours of online hours, guidance, training workshops and personal supervision. 588 hours

    Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

    Assessment

      Assessment

      • Distance learning modules are usually assessed by assignments and student participation in the seminar discussions and there are no exams. Residential modules may have exams.
      • The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment (up to 12,000 words).

      Structure

      Required modules

      You are required to take the following modules:

      History of Contemporary Warfare 1: The Early Cold War, 1945-1975 (15 credits)
      History of Contemporary Warfare 2: from Cold War to War on Terror, 1975–2011 (15 credits)
      Dissertation (60 Credits)

      Optional modules

      In addition you are required to take 90 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

      African Security (15 credits)
      Conflict in Russia & the Post-Soviet Space (15 credits)
      Conflict, Rights and Justice (15 credits)
      Insurgency & Counter-Insurgency (15 credits)
      Intelligence in War & Peace (15 credits)
      International Law & the Use of Force (15 credits)
      International Relations & Contemporary War 1: Theories & Concepts (15 credits)
      International Relations & Contemporary War 2: Problems & Issues (15 credits)
      Middle Eastern Security (15 credits)
      Sea Power (15 credits)
      Strategic Dimensions of Contemporary Warfare (15 credits)

      Should you choose and be able to study for a term with us in London, further optional modules shared with other MA programmes will be available to you. We will update you on availability of places every year during the module selection process.

      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. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

      Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

      Employability

      Past students from this course have gone on to build careers in NGOs, civil services, NATO, the UN, media and publishing, finance and investment and teaching, as well as in the armed forces. A number of our students have had articles published in peer-reviewed journals and undertaken further academic research. Several students have gone on to complete a PhD while one teaches part time at King’s. 

      Our graduates have kept in touch and informed us of their achievements which have been provided as student testimonials.

      The King's College London Careers Service actively assists students who would like advice on possible employment options.

      Tuition Fees

      UK:

      Part time: £11,040 per year (2022/23)

      International:

      Part time: £11,040 per year (2022/23)

      These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Should you choose and be able to study with us in London for a term, your fees will remain the same. This programme is only available two years’ part-time. There is no full-time option. Students are generally self-funded. We regret that there are currently no forms of student subsidy or scholarship available for this programme. Fees payable each year: 50% on 31 October and 50% on 31 January

      Deposit

      When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1000 to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

       

      Additional Costs

      In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

      • Books if you choose to buy your own copies
      • Library fees and fines
      • Personal photocopies
      • Printing course materials
      • Travel and accommodation, should you visit
      • Graduation costs

      Funding

      Application closing date guidance

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