War Studies Research

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirement for the MPhil/PhD programme is:

• a Master's degree with high merit (or overseas equivalent),
• and a 2.1 honours degree at the bachelor's level (or overseas equivalent).

It is not essential to have taken courses in this field at postgraduate level but we advise students to consider taking our MA or a similar course elsewhere before undertaking research work in the Department of War Studies.

Extensive practical experience in the relevant field (e.g. military, diplomatic, journalistic, humanitarian or developmental) may be taken into account when evaluating an application.

Months of entry

September

Course content

A comprehensive programme of individual research training is offered to ensure that students develop the skills necessary to complete their research programme and fulfil their career goals. In year one, students will draw up a programme of research training and personal development in consultation with their supervisors. Ongoing research training needs are assessed in years two and three. The department offer additional training as required.

All MPhil/PhD candidates undertake a tailored programme of research training and development through all three years of the programme. The department is especially interested in receiving applications from students planning their research projects in fields that will enhance the strength of the department's research groups, centres and programmes. Details of these can be found on the War Studies website, www.kcl.ac.uk/warstudies. The department assumes that normally research students will be attached to one or more of these and that in all cases will enhance research culture and be consistent with the War Studies research strategy. In addition to the staff listed, there are academic staff for research supervision based at the Defence Studies Department (DSD) at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. For a full staff list and their research interests please access the DSD website

Exciting opportunities are now available to undertake a joint PhD programme either with the National University of Singapore or Hong Kong University. The joint programme will foster links across a range of subject areas including: history of warfare, international relations, strategic studies, counterinsurgency warfare, post-conflict reconstruction and development, intelligence studies, conflict peace and development, and war and psychiatry.

Information for international students

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

Fees and funding

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.