Location
United Kingdom, - London
Dates
Starts Sep 2019 (1 year)
Course Type
Postgraduate Course
Accreditation
Yes (Details)
Language
English
Price
$33,244

Course Overview

The Science & International Security MA is designed to provide you with a detailed understanding of the role of science and technology in international security. Developments in technology are central to all aspects of international conflict and you will need a multidisciplinary understanding of these developments to fully comprehend their policy implications. Through this course you will gain a deep understanding of topics such as nuclear proliferation, chemical and biological weapons, missile technology arms control verification, cyber and space security.

Key benefits:

  • We have designed this unique programme to develop your ability to understand and analyse the security implications of scientific and technological developments, utilising knowledge and tools of analysis from the hard sciences, political science, history, international relations, security studies, philosophy and sociology.
  • Our Centre for Science and Security Studies, based in the Department of War Studies, provides a vibrant home for our MA programme. It has a growing team of PhD students and researchers, and sponsors its own speaker series.
  • You are encouraged to apply for internships (on our research projects and/or with other relevant institutions in London such as the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) and IISS).
  • You will have access to visiting academics, serving officers, government ministers and other experts who give regular public lectures and seminars.
  • The Department of War Studies is unique in the UK and one of the very few university departments in the world devoted exclusively to the study of war as a human phenomenon.
  • Our Department has an excellent reputation as a graduate-training institution and is recognised as such by the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council.
  • Taught by leading experts who bring an extensive and continually growing network of links with other departments, think-tanks, organisations, policymaking bodies and institutions.

Who should take this course

Undergraduate degree with high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 65% across all years of study) in history, international relations, political science, economics or other appropriate subject.

Accreditation

MA/PG Dip/PG Cert

Course content

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take:

  • MA - modules totalling 180 credits
  • PG Diploma - modules totalling 120 credits
  • PG Certificate - modules totalling 60 credits

King's College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study.

Required Modules:

MA Pathway:

You are required to take the following modules:

  • The Science & Security of Nuclear & Biological Weapons (20 credits)
  • Current Issues in Science & Security (20 credits)
  • Dissertation (60 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma Pathway:

You are required to take the following modules:

  • The Science & Security of Nuclear & Biological Weapons (20 credits)
  • Current Issues in Science & Security (20 credits)

Postgraduate Certificate Pathway:

You are required to take the following modules:

  • The Science & Security of Nuclear & Biological Weapons (20 credits)
  • Current Issues in Science & Security (20 credits)

Optional Modules:

MA Pathway:

In addition, you are required to take 80 credits from a wide range of optional modules that may typically include:

  • Armchair Intelligence - Open Sources & Online Investigation (20 credits)
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism (40 credits)
  • Cyber Security (40 credits)
  • Proliferation & International Security (40 credits)
  • Risk & Uncertainty in Global Politics (20 credits)
  • Contemporary British Defence Policy (20 credits)
  • Diplomacy, Intelligence & Armaments Competition: The Origins of the Second World War 1931-1941 (40 credits)
  • Or any of the other available options offered by the Department of War Studies

If you are studying part-time, in your first year you will take 40 credits of required taught modules and 40 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will take your dissertation (60 credits) and a further 40 credits of optional modules.

Postgraduate Diploma Pathway:

In addition, you are required to take 80 credits from a wide range of optional modules that may typically include:

  • Armchair Intelligence - Open Sources & Online Investigation (20 credits)
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism (40 credits)
  • Cyber Security (40 credits)
  • Proliferation & International Security (40 credits)
  • Risk & Uncertainty in Global Politics (20 credits)
  • Contemporary British Defence Policy (20 credits)
  • Diplomacy, Intelligence & Armaments Competition: The Origins of the Second World War 1931-1941 (40 credits)
  • Or any of the other available options offered by the Department of War Studies

Postgraduate Certificate Pathway:

  • In addition, you are required to take 20 credits from a wide range of optional modules that may typically include:
  • Armchair Intelligence - Open Sources & Online Investigation (20 credits)
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism (40 credits)
  • Cyber Security (40 credits)
  • Proliferation & International Security (40 credits)
  • Risk & Uncertainty in Global Politics (20 credits)
  • Contemporary British Defence Policy (20 credits)
  • Diplomacy, Intelligence & Armaments Competition: The Origins of the Second World War 1931-1941 (40 credits)
  • Or any of the other available options offered by the Department of War Studies

Fees:

  • Full time overseas fees:

About Course Provider

King's College London is one of the top 10 UK universities in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2018/19) and among the oldest in England.

King's vision is to make the world a better place, building on our history of pioneering research that has advanced and shaped modern life, such as: the discovery of the structure of DNA; research to better understand autism and develop life-changing therapies; informing air pollution awareness and policy; research that led to the development of radio, radar, television and mobile phones; and making maths available to the underprivileged. These are all ways that we are having a transformational impact on society.

Our intellectually rigorous teaching environment is coupled with a commitment to providing a rich and supportive student experience. We have more than 31,000 students (of whom nearly 12,800 are postgraduates, with 1,000 students enrolled in online masters courses) from 150 countries worldwide, meaning that students are part of a truly international community. Our 8,500 members of staff collaborate with students to help them get the most out of their degree. Many of our academics are also researchers working within and influencing their industries, meaning that students learn the latest thinking and understand its practical and contemporary relevance.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas'​, King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services.