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Conflict, Security & Development MA

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The MA Conflict, Security & Development explores the conceptual, historical and policy issues surrounding security and development and how these manifest themselves in the wider context of contemporary warfare and international security. It provides an analytical and empirically informed treatment of the linkages between issues of security and development in contemporary international relations.

Visit our online hubs for content, news and events about the Department of War Studies here

 


Key benefits

  • Development and security are inextricably linked, yet all too often both academics and policymakers address them separately. Our MA in Conflict, Security & Development is a unique globally recognised course that brings together these interrelated areas of study, acknowledging that conflict, insecurity and underdevelopment interact in dynamic ways and that a full understanding of them requires a holistic approach.
  • The course exposes you to a variety of complex transnational issues, taking a multidisciplinary approach to some of the key questions facing policymakers and scholars today.
  • It is designed to enhance your analytical, research and critical thinking skills, to provide you with detailed practical knowledge of conflict, security and development around the world, and to prepare you to become a leader in the public and private sectors, government or academia.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration One year FT / Two years PT, September to September

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value UK 180 / ECTS 90

Course leaders

Prof Mats Berdal

Further details

Course contact for further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office
tel: +44 (0)20 7848 7000
fax: +44 (0)20 7848 7200

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

Department Department of War Studies

Locations

 

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Course detail

Description

Our course is designed to provide students with an advanced and comprehensive understanding of the complex linkages between issues of security and development in contemporary international relations. The course encourages you to explore the conceptual, historical and policy issues surrounding security and development and how these manifest themselves in the wider context of contemporary warfare and international security. Our course’s core course introduces you to the major debates in the fields of security and international relations, regarding the interaction between processes of political and economic development, conflict and violent social change.

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 an multidisciplinary department and all War Studies students benefit from research-led teaching in such subjects as the history and evolution of war and grand strategy, arms control and non-proliferation, migration, strategic thought, cyber, conflict and the environment, the influence of science and technology on international security, along with regional specialisms covering Africa, Asia (East and South), Russia and elsewhere.

Course format and assessment

Teaching

The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic workload might look like as you progress through your studies:

 ModuleLectures, seminars and feedback Self-study 
 Per 30-credit module

40 hours of teaching. Typically, 2 hours per week over two 10 week terms. This can be split into lectures and seminars. A 15 credit module will be half of this.

  260 hours.
 Dissertation module (60 credits)  Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision.  588 hours for dissertation.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours work.

Assessment

The primary methods of assessment for this course are assessed essays, individual and group presentations, seminar participation, exercises, and/or exams.

The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment (up to 12,000 words).

Location: 

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses.

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary. We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Regulating Body

King's College London is regulated by the Office for Students. 

 

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules, and students on this course take modules totalling 180 credits.

Required Modules

You are required to take the following modules:

As a part-time student, you will take Security and Development and 30 credits (or up to 60 credits) of optional modules in your first year. 

 

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 90 credits from a range of optional modules if a full-time student. If you are a part-time student you will typically take 30 credits (or up to 60 credits) from a range of optional modules in your first year that may include the below:

Or choose from a range of optional modules available within the Department of War Studies.  

Please Note: the optional modules available change each year, and are therefore only made accessible to enrolled students during the module allocation 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.

Year 2

Required Modules

Part time only: you will write your dissertation in the second year (60 credits).

 

Optional Modules
You will make up remaining credits from optional modules.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Conflict, Security & Development Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements

High 2:1

(67%)

Undergraduate degree with high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 67% across all years of study) in history, international relations, political science, economics or other appropriate subject.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum high 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 67% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 67% or above in the UK marking scheme. 
International requirements   Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band B Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £70 applies.

All applications are assessed by a committee of academic tutors. This process takes on average eight weeks.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement  Yes

A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). Please explain why you are interested in this particular programme and outline any relevant experience you have. If there are any anomalies in your academic record, please use the personal statement to explain related extenuating circumstances.
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application

 

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 26th March 2021. After this date, the programme will remain open only if places are still available and will be closed as soon as it is full.

For programmes that remain open beyond this date, the final application deadlines for the following fee statuses are listed below:

  • EU or overseas (international) fee status: 30th July 2021
  • Home fee status: 27th August 2021

Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline in March, and we are unable to process more offers as places are filled before the final application deadlines above.

 

 

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home fees: £15,420 per year (2021/22)
  • Full time overseas fees: £27,900 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time Home fees: £7,710 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time overseas fees: £13,950 per year (2021/22)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

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

The UK deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March, payment is due by 30th April 2021.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st April and 30th June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st July and 31st July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer from late August onwards, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for: 

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
  • Graduation costs

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Scholarships

The Alexandros Petersen Scholarship:

The scholarship is designed to provide the best and brightest students resident in Afghanistan, Central Asia, or the South Caucasus with the opportunity to continue onto the Conflict, Security and Development MA in the Department of War Studies without the worry of financial constraint. Find out more. 

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Students on our MA courses have gone on to build careers in further academic research, NGOs, civil service, NATO, UN, media and publishing, finance and investment, teaching, and the armed forces.

Testimonials

Susan

Susan

"My advice to prospective students is that they are looking in the right direction to be seeking King's. Once you are a student here the future is at your disposal and you have nothing to be afraid of after your studies."

Alyson

Alyson

"It was the unique nature of the programmes at King's which initially inspired me to apply, but it was the friendly, professional atmosphere that compelled me to stay on as a member of staff following my graduation."

Alyson

Alyson

Moving across the world to continue my studies at graduate level wasn’t an easy decision for me. However, once I arrived at King’s I knew that I had made the right choice. Studying under some of the top academics in the field of War Studies has been a very exciting opportunity, one that has opened my mind and expanded my knowledge in a subject of great interest to me.

Joana

Joana

The strong empirical focus within the school, whether through course work focus or constant rotation of high-profile presenters and world leaders, helps ensure you are studying in an environment that understands and addresses real world issues as they arise.

 

Blue box with King's College London rankings. Starting with, 7th in the UK for research quality. Followed by, 6th in the UK for research power. Concluding with, 4th among multi-faculty universities for research Impact. The source is research excellence framework 2014

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