Our Intelligence & International Security MA examines the trends that continue to shape intelligence and international security developments in the 21st century. Intelligence plays a crucial role in managing the key national and international security threats that societies and individuals face, ranging from the threat of domestic and transnational terrorism, to digital espionage and attacks, to pandemics, to renewed inter-state, and great power rivalries. Understanding intelligence is also crucial if we are to understand the balance of power between the citizen and the state, particularly given the potential of digital surveillance. This MA programme offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the nature and mechanics of intelligence, from a global perspective. It delves into the practical matters that concern intelligence officers and organisations as they go about their business, and the challenges national governments face in utilising intelligence and in managing their intelligence machineries. Students will also consider the ethical issues that concern all aspects of intelligence operations.

Key benefits

• Gain an in-depth understanding of the nature of intelligence, intelligence processes, case studies of systems, success, and failure, and examine how intelligence has and continued to impact on national and international security.
• Develop core transferable skills, including the study of effective intelligence analysis, as well as communication, evaluation and analytical skills, interpersonal cooperation and writing opportunities, bias identification, and critical reading and thinking.
• Explore a wide variety of perspectives on the practice and study of intelligence through a diverse range of teaching approaches, including lectures, workshops, games and exercises.
• The Department hosts one of the largest groups of academics focused on intelligence and security anywhere in the world. You will be taught by world-leading experts in their fields who not only engage in academic work and research, but also undertake a wide variety of advisory roles to national governments and non-governmental organisations.
• Supplementing the academic programme are lectures and masterclasses given by our Visiting Professors, senior practitioners and leaders in the field, who share with students their unique experiences and perspectives on intelligence and its role in statecraft.
• You have the advantage of attending a variety of events run by the King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence (KCSI) which provide a platform and hub for bringing intelligence scholars together to share ideas.
• This MA is excellent preparation for employment in government service or in commercial risk management and open-source intelligence providers.
• Students from this course have gone on to work in a very wide variety of roles, with an international scope. Many of our alumni have entered government, NATO or the EU, others have entered the armed forces, gone on to work as investigative journalists, think tank researchers, UN officials, and security consultants for international NGOs. Many of them return to join us on the course to offer current students an insight into their career paths.

“Studying for my MA in the War Studies Department at King’s College London, proved to be both challenging and rewarding, with professors and the university providing tailored teaching for every student.”

Lulia, AlumniShow more

Course essentials

Our course offers students an in-depth, unique perspective on intelligence and its role in statecraft. Students will examine the nature of intelligence, the practice and process of intelligence agencies, and the interaction between intelligence agencies, the wider machinery of government, and society. Building upon a foundation of historical research and practical experience, the course uses a multidisciplinary perspective to explore the issues and trends that continue to shape intelligence and international security in the 21st century. Students on our MA experience an exceptionally stimulating environment. The core module, Intelligence in Peace and War, offers a broad, authoritative perspective on the evolution and practice of intelligence, and it is complemented by a number of more specialised optional modules. This offers students the opportunity to study both the general contours of intelligence and its role in domestic and international security, and more specific elements of intelligence and security operations. The academic contents of both the core and optional modules is supplemented by the perspective of practitioners. We aim to provide a framework in which to understand the nature and role of intelligence in its relationship to wider issues in war and international security. This includes developing an understanding of the processes, practices and institutions that have characterised intelligence in the modern era; knowledge of the problems connected with intelligence collection, assessment and the ability to predict events in world affairs; and an appreciation of the particular ethical and political concerns generated by intelligence. 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 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. This degree can be taken as part of a joint arrangement with our partner institution, Sciences Po that offers a graduate programme in International Affairs. Please see the Teaching & Structure tab above for more information.

Base campuses

Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Waterloo Campus

Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry requirements

UK applicants

Standard requirements

A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above

If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).

Programme-Specific Requirements

Undergraduate degree with high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 65% across all years of study) in International Relations, War Studies, History, Political Science, Strategic Studies, Criminology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Theology. Applications from students with first degree in other areas, including science, language, and journalism, are also welcome.

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 65% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 65% or above in the UK marking scheme.

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a countrySelect a countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustralasiaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechia (Czech Republic)Democratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFijiFinlandFranceGabonGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHome Fee Status StudentsHondurasHong Kong SARHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé and PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt Kitts and NevisSt. HelenaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & the GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe GambiaTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWalesYemenZambiaZimbabwe

English language requirements

English language band:

B

To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.

For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

Selection process

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies. 

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

Personal statement and supporting information

Please provide a personal statement explaining why you are interested in this particular programme, and outlining any relevant experience you have. If there are any anomalies in your academic record, please use the personal statement to explain related extenuating circumstances.

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).
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

Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures

Seminars

Self-Study

Check out further information about our War Studies courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.

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 over one 10-week term. This can be split into lectures and seminars. A 30-credit module will be double this.	130 hours
Dissertation module (60 credits)	Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision.	588 hours

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours work.

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.

This programme can be taken as part of the partnership between Kings College London and Sciences PO that allows participating students to study for two years, with a year in both Paris and London. On completion of the programme, graduates receive a master's degree from the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po (PSIA), and a master's degree from King's College London. Spanning a wide range of disciplines, this selective programme allows students to customise their training at both universities, and to benefit from the numerous opportunities, networks and services offered on both sides of the Channel.

For further information about the programme, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply, please visit the Paris School of International Affairs’ website.

Assessment

• Essays
• Individual & Group Presentations
• Exercises
• Seminar participation
• Exams
• Dissertation

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. Assessment patterns vary between modules but forms of assessment typically include essays, individual and group presentations, exercises and exams.

The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.

Required modules

You are required to take the following modules:

Dissertation (60 credits)

Intelligence in Peace & War (45 credits)

Optional modules

In addition, you are required to take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include:

Past and Present of British Intelligence (15 credits)

Influence: Covert Action, Active Measures, and Deception (15 credits)

Diplomacy & Foreign Policy (30 Credits)

National Security Studies (45 credits)

Technology, Security and Global Politics (15 Credits)

Armchair Intelligence- Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)

Homegrown Radicalisation & Counter-Radicalisation in Western Europe & North America (30 credits)

Political Violence, Counterterrorism and Human Rights (30 credits)

The list of options above is not exhaustive. King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to respond to student demand as well as to provide up to date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. The optional modules available change each year and are therefore only made accessible to enrolled students during the module allocation period. At the start of the programme, you will be asked to select a number of optional modules (more than you are required to take) in preference order. The department will then allocate you the required number of optional credits, endeavouring to give all students as many of their top choices as possible. Please note that, due to limited spaces on each module, we are unable to guarantee that you will be allocated a place on any particular optional module or modules. Part-time students in the first year of study will take Intelligence in Peace & War (45 credits) and up to 45 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will write your Dissertation (60 credits) and take optional modules adding up to the remaining credits. Please note: Teaching for part-time students in the Department of War Studies is scheduled between the hours of 9 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday. Individual student timetables are dependent on the modules chosen and vary each year so we are unable to provide these in advance. Timetables are usually released in mid-September following enrolment.

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.

Careers

Employability

War Studies Graduates go on to work for NGOs, many British governmental departments, including the FCO, the MOD, and the Home Office. Many Graduates also go on to work for the equivalent institutions in their home governments. More generally, many Graduates go on to work for NATO, and the UN, or pursue careers in journalism, finance, academia, the diplomatic services, the armed forces and more. Recent posts held by our alumni include Threat Analyst, Director of Political Violence Forecasting, Research Advisor at NATO Defence College, Foreign Policy Fellow.

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.

Our professional network

Where can a degree like this take you? Hear from 2016 graduate Mariah Loukou: 

Role: Deputy Head of Doctoral College (Quality Operations) & PhD researcher in Military & Strategic Studies at City, University of London

I oversee the quality of research degrees on behalf of Senate. This includes but is not limited to the management and development of the PhD research system and policies, as well as expert advice on the strategic direction of research degrees at City.  The institution's name (King's College London) and the department's name make an impact! Also, specialising in intelligence and security studies gives you multi-layered skills that you can use in many disciplines and jobs. 

Mariah's top career tip:

Try things that inspire you and keep you motivated, even if it is not the norm.  

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £19,550 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £9,775 per year (2025/26)

International:

Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £17,900 per year (2025/26)

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

Deposit

If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.

The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.

• If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
• If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
• If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
• If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
• If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, 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.

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

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 handouts.
• Society membership fees.
• Stationery.
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
• Graduation costs.

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

• Course essentials
• Entry requirements
• Teaching & structure
• Careers
• Fees & Funding

Our course offers students an in-depth, unique perspective on intelligence and its role in statecraft. Students will examine the nature of intelligence, the practice and process of intelligence agencies, and the interaction between intelligence agencies, the wider machinery of government, and society. Building upon a foundation of historical research and practical experience, the course uses a multidisciplinary perspective to explore the issues and trends that continue to shape intelligence and international security in the 21st century. Students on our MA experience an exceptionally stimulating environment. The core module, Intelligence in Peace and War, offers a broad, authoritative perspective on the evolution and practice of intelligence, and it is complemented by a number of more specialised optional modules. This offers students the opportunity to study both the general contours of intelligence and its role in domestic and international security, and more specific elements of intelligence and security operations. The academic contents of both the core and optional modules is supplemented by the perspective of practitioners. We aim to provide a framework in which to understand the nature and role of intelligence in its relationship to wider issues in war and international security. This includes developing an understanding of the processes, practices and institutions that have characterised intelligence in the modern era; knowledge of the problems connected with intelligence collection, assessment and the ability to predict events in world affairs; and an appreciation of the particular ethical and political concerns generated by intelligence. 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 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. This degree can be taken as part of a joint arrangement with our partner institution, Sciences Po that offers a graduate programme in International Affairs. Please see the Teaching & Structure tab above for more information.

Base campuses

Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Waterloo Campus

Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

UK applicants

Standard requirements

A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above

If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).

Programme-Specific Requirements

Undergraduate degree with high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 65% across all years of study) in International Relations, War Studies, History, Political Science, Strategic Studies, Criminology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Theology. Applications from students with first degree in other areas, including science, language, and journalism, are also welcome.

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 65% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 65% or above in the UK marking scheme.

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a countrySelect a countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustralasiaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechia (Czech Republic)Democratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFijiFinlandFranceGabonGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHome Fee Status StudentsHondurasHong Kong SARHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé and PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt Kitts and NevisSt. HelenaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & the GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe GambiaTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWalesYemenZambiaZimbabwe

English language requirements

English language band:

B

To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.

For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

Selection process

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies. 

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

Personal statement and supporting information

Please provide a personal statement explaining why you are interested in this particular programme, and outlining any relevant experience you have. If there are any anomalies in your academic record, please use the personal statement to explain related extenuating circumstances.

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).
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

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures

Seminars

Self-Study

Check out further information about our War Studies courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.

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 over one 10-week term. This can be split into lectures and seminars. A 30-credit module will be double this.	130 hours
Dissertation module (60 credits)	Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision.	588 hours

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours work.

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.

This programme can be taken as part of the partnership between Kings College London and Sciences PO that allows participating students to study for two years, with a year in both Paris and London. On completion of the programme, graduates receive a master's degree from the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po (PSIA), and a master's degree from King's College London. Spanning a wide range of disciplines, this selective programme allows students to customise their training at both universities, and to benefit from the numerous opportunities, networks and services offered on both sides of the Channel.

For further information about the programme, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply, please visit the Paris School of International Affairs’ website.

Assessment

• Essays
• Individual & Group Presentations
• Exercises
• Seminar participation
• Exams
• Dissertation

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. Assessment patterns vary between modules but forms of assessment typically include essays, individual and group presentations, exercises and exams.

The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.

Required modules

You are required to take the following modules:

Dissertation (60 credits)

Intelligence in Peace & War (45 credits)

Optional modules

In addition, you are required to take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include:

Past and Present of British Intelligence (15 credits)

Influence: Covert Action, Active Measures, and Deception (15 credits)

Diplomacy & Foreign Policy (30 Credits)

National Security Studies (45 credits)

Technology, Security and Global Politics (15 Credits)

Armchair Intelligence- Open Sources & Online Investigation (15 credits)

Homegrown Radicalisation & Counter-Radicalisation in Western Europe & North America (30 credits)

Political Violence, Counterterrorism and Human Rights (30 credits)

The list of options above is not exhaustive. King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to respond to student demand as well as to provide up to date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. The optional modules available change each year and are therefore only made accessible to enrolled students during the module allocation period. At the start of the programme, you will be asked to select a number of optional modules (more than you are required to take) in preference order. The department will then allocate you the required number of optional credits, endeavouring to give all students as many of their top choices as possible. Please note that, due to limited spaces on each module, we are unable to guarantee that you will be allocated a place on any particular optional module or modules. Part-time students in the first year of study will take Intelligence in Peace & War (45 credits) and up to 45 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will write your Dissertation (60 credits) and take optional modules adding up to the remaining credits. Please note: Teaching for part-time students in the Department of War Studies is scheduled between the hours of 9 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday. Individual student timetables are dependent on the modules chosen and vary each year so we are unable to provide these in advance. Timetables are usually released in mid-September following enrolment.

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

War Studies Graduates go on to work for NGOs, many British governmental departments, including the FCO, the MOD, and the Home Office. Many Graduates also go on to work for the equivalent institutions in their home governments. More generally, many Graduates go on to work for NATO, and the UN, or pursue careers in journalism, finance, academia, the diplomatic services, the armed forces and more. Recent posts held by our alumni include Threat Analyst, Director of Political Violence Forecasting, Research Advisor at NATO Defence College, Foreign Policy Fellow.

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.

Our professional network

Where can a degree like this take you? Hear from 2016 graduate Mariah Loukou: 

Role: Deputy Head of Doctoral College (Quality Operations) & PhD researcher in Military & Strategic Studies at City, University of London

I oversee the quality of research degrees on behalf of Senate. This includes but is not limited to the management and development of the PhD research system and policies, as well as expert advice on the strategic direction of research degrees at City.  The institution's name (King's College London) and the department's name make an impact! Also, specialising in intelligence and security studies gives you multi-layered skills that you can use in many disciplines and jobs. 

Mariah's top career tip:

Try things that inspire you and keep you motivated, even if it is not the norm.  

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £19,550 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £9,775 per year (2025/26)

International:

Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £17,900 per year (2025/26)

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

Deposit

If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.

The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.

• If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
• If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
• If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
• If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
• If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, 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.

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

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 handouts.
• Society membership fees.
• Stationery.
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
• Graduation costs.

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

Application closing date guidance

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