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War Studies & History BA

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Overview

The War Studies & History BA Joint Honours degree is an interdepartmental course addressing key elements of war and history. You will approach the subjects from a variety of unique angles including politics, international relations, sociology and strategic studies to develop your critical analysis and independent thought processes. The comprehensive range of study options throughout the course ensures you can choose a diverse variety of modules to create an exciting programme of study. 

Key benefits

  • King's is amongst the world's leading universities for the study of war and conflict.
  • Teaching is delivered by leading international experts who work in close collaboration with governments, armed forces and NGOs across the world.
  • Frequent guest lectures throughout the year by high profile international speakers.
  • Located in the heart of London, giving unparalleled access to government, the media, museums, and major libraries and research institutes.
  • We offer a dedicated focus on employability skills, assisting you to careers in defence, foreign affairs, humanitarian aid, risk analysis, journalism, and banking.
  • Outstanding flexibility, allowing you to focus on your fundamental interests of war and conflicts in addition to covering key historical events from medieval Europe to modern India.

 

 

Key information

UCAS code LV91

Duration Three years

Study mode Full-time

Course type Joint honours

Further details

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy

Department Department of History Department of War Studies

Locations

 

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War Studies at King's

In the heart of London

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Course detail

Description

The War Studies & History BA degree will comprise of a total 360 credits studied over three years. You will divide your study time equally between the two subjects and will usually take modules totalling 120 credits each year.

In your first year, you will study a combination of required and optional modules from both areas of study. Although there are no required modules in Year 2, you will study either Intelligence in War Studies, War in International Order or World War II in Europe as part of your modules choices. Your final year will involve you writing a 10,000-word dissertation in either subject area.

Teaching 

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the programme. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide pastoral support during your studies. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

Assessment methods will depend on the modules you have selected to study. The primary methods of assessment for this course are assessed essays, written examinations, individual and group presentations and a written dissertation.

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand & Waterloo campuses. Our Department is located at the Strand Campus, in the heart of central London close to the seat of government, the City, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Inns of Court, the Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum; providing interaction between the study and practice of security and foreign policy.

Other related courses

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant courses of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on this course page for updates. 

You are required to take 60 credits from War Studies and 60 credits from History.

Required Modules

War Studies

You are required to take the following modules:

 

History

You are required to take the following module:

  • Historical Skills, Sources & Approaches (30 credits)

 

Optional Modules

War Studies

In addition, you are required to take 30 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

History

You are required to take one 30 credit module from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

  • The Making of Britain 400-1400 (30 credits)
  • Medieval Europe 400-1500 (30 credits)
  • Early Modern Britain 1500-1750 (30 credits)
  • Power, Belief & Culture in Europe 1500-1800 (30 credits)
  • The Worlds of the British Empire, c1730-1960 (30 credits)
  • Europe from 1793 to 1991 (30 credits)
  • Politics & Society in Britain, 1780-1945 (30 credits)
  • World History 1870s - 2000s (30 credits)

 

Year 2

You are required to take 60 credits from War Studies and 60 credits from History.

Required Modules

War Studies

You are required to take one of the following modules:

 History

There are no required modules in your second year.

Optional Modules

War Studies

In addition you are required to take 30 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

History

You are required to take 30 credits from a wide range of 30-credit optional modules, which may typically include the following:

  • The Black Death in England (30 credits)
  • The Civilising Mission: French Imperialism since 1750 (30 credits)
  • War in the Pacific, 1898 to 1975 and beyond: Strategy and Diplomacy (30 credits)
  • The Northern Ireland Troubles (30 credits)
  • Faraway so Close: The Middle East since 1800 (30 credits)
  • China: From Imperial State to People’s Republic (30 credits)
  • An additional range of intercollegiate Group II 30 credit modules offered by our partner colleges in the University of London.

In addition you are required to also take 30 credits from a range of 15-credit optional modules which may typically include:

  • The Hundred Years War (15 credits)
  • Atlantic Slavery: West Africa & the Caribbean, 1492-1807 (15 credits)
  • Globalisation since the 1970s (15 credits)
  • Europe in the Second World War (15 credits)
  • Electric Cities: The Experience of Modernity in London, Melbourne, New York and Paris, 1870-1929 (15 credits)
  • You may also take one optional 15 credit module offered elsewhere in the Faculty, subject to approval.

You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for the full second year. Partner institutions do change from time to time, but the list currently includes the following:

  • Georgetown University
  • Hong Kong University
  • Sciences Po, Paris (basic French language required)
  • University of California
  • University of North Carolina
  • University of Sydney
  • Ca'Foscari University of Venice
  • Yonsei University
  • Keio University
  • Korea University

Year 3

You are required to complete a 30-credit dissertation in year three in either War Studies or History. 

Required Modules

 War Studies & History

You are required to take the following modules:

  • Dissertation (30 credits) (in either the Department of War Studies or the Department of History)
  • One 30 credit group III module (History)

If you write your dissertation in History you will need to choose two optional modules (60 credits) in War Studies. If you write your dissertation in War Studies you should choose options worth 60 credits in History.

History

You are required to take one 30-credit ‘Group III’ module from a range of modules which may typically include:

  • Romans & Barbarians: The Transformation of the Roman West 350-700 (30 credits)
  • The Enlightenment (30 credits)
  • The Experience of Power in Nigeria since 1900 (30 credits)
  • Red, White and Blues: Jazz and the United States in the 20th Century (30 credits)
  • Women & Gender in Early Modern England (30 credits)
  • Additional University of London Intercollegiate modules (special subject module) (30 credits)



Optional Modules

War Studies

If you take your dissertation in War Studies, you will take 30 credits of optional modules. Optional modules may typically include:

History

If you choose not to take the dissertation in History, you will be required to take 30-credits from a range of optional modules which may typically include:

  • Nations (30 credits)
  • God (30 credits)
  • War (30 credits)
  • Wealth (30 credits)

Entry requirements

 

Required grades

AAA

Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A-levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer.

Required grades

35 points overall (including TOK/EE) and three Higher Level subjects at 666

Required grades

45 Level 3 credits: 36 must be awarded at Distinction, with the remaining Level 3 credits at Merit

Required grades

D3 D3 D3

Combinations of Pre-U principal subjects and other qualifications (such as A-levels) will be considered

Required grades

Further information below

If you are taking the new RQF BTEC Nationals (2016), you will not be required to fulfil the module requirement stipulated above - you will only need to get the right overall grade. If you are taking the QCF BTEC Nationals (2010), you must achieve both the required overall grade and the specified module grades. If you are unsure which BTEC you are studying, your teacher or school/college counsellor should be able to tell you.

Required grades

Further information below

If you are taking the new RQF BTEC Nationals (2016), you will not be required to fulfil the module requirement stipulated above - you will only need to get the right overall grade. If you are taking the QCF BTEC Nationals (2010), you must achieve both the required overall grade and the specified module grades. If you are unsure which BTEC you are studying, your teacher or school/college counsellor should be able to tell you.

Required grades

Further information below

If you are taking the new RQF BTEC Nationals (2016), you will not be required to fulfil the module requirement stipulated above - you will only need to get the right overall grade. If you are taking the QCF BTEC Nationals (2010), you must achieve both the required overall grade and the specified module grades. If you are unsure which BTEC you are studying, your teacher or school/college counsellor should be able to tell you.

Required grades

85% overall

Required grades

Visit our admissions webpages to view our international entry requirements and English language entry requirements.

Required subjects

None.

Preferred subjects

History A-Level (or equivalent) is generally expected. Applications from those without such a qualification can be considered, where the application clearly demonstrates interest in and engagement with History as an academic subject.

Further information and other requirements

Entry requirements
A-Level  AAA 

Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer.
Access to HE Diploma 

D: 36 credits

M: 9 credits

P: 0 credits

Access to Humanities Diploma (or similar subject) with 45 Level 3 credits: 36 must be from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining Level 3 credits at Merit.
Cambridge Pre-U D3 D3 D3

Combinations of Pre-U principal subjects and other qualifications (such as A-levels) considered.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF from 2010)  

DDM with eleven Distinctions and two A levels at grades AA
BTEC Level 3 Diploma (QCF from 2010)  

DM with six Distinctions and two A levels at grades AA
BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (QCF from 2010)  

D with four modules at Distinction and two A levels at grades AA
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers

AAB at Highers

and

AA at Advanced Highers

Must be a combination of three Scottish Highers and two Scottish Advanced Highers. We do not count the Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject.
International Baccalaureate 35 points

Including 6,6,6 at Higher Level. Note the total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE. 
Other International Qualifications   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.

 

Selection procedure

The department may interview shortlisted candidates for the BA programme and is looking for genuinely interested individuals. A good A-level performance (AAA) is expected but no specific A-level subjects are normally required except for joint honours programmes. The department welcomes applicants with relevant life experience.

Applicants with relevant life experience may need to take an Access course to prepare them for their degree. Those applicants not already taking an Access course are strongly advised to consult the Admissions Tutor about their application.

Applicants planning a gap year should either apply for a deferred place in the preceding year or ensure that they are available for interview during February and March (the normal interview period for war studies) during their gap year.

Application deadline: January 15th 2020

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 tuition fees UK:

The UK tuition fee for the 2020-2021 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full time tuition fees EU:

Students starting their programme in 2020/21 (September 2020) who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

The UK tuition fee for the 2020-2021 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full time tuition fees International:

TThe International tuition fee for the 2020-2021 academic year is £19,800 per year.

Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.

 

Additional costs/expenses

If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). Please see the Study Abroad webpages for details of the relevant partner universities. While students are on a study abroad or extra- mural year, King’s will continue to invoice students for a proportion of King’s tuition fees. 

You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. 

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

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 
  • Graduation costs
  • alternative venue examination fees

For further information, please visit our fees and funding pages.

 

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

Our graduates go on to work in a range of fields including government (most commonly in Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs in the UK and abroad), academia, journalism, banking (often in emerging markets or risk analysis), research and policy think-tanks, humanitarian organisations and international organisations.

Career destinations

Recent graduates have found employment as:

• Account executive, IT re-seller
• Accounts assistance, IJS Global
• Army officer, British Army
• Consultant, Ernst & Young
• Creative writer, Groupon
• Defence analyst, Vision Gain
• Parliamentary assistant, House of Commons
• Special constable, London Metropolitan Police
• Trainee accountant, a legal practice

Testimonials

Rodolphe

Rodolphe

I chose King's College London because I wanted to study at a top university. It offers a world-class education as you are taught by renowned teachers in fantastic facilities and this explains its international reputation.

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