Strategic Communications

In the MA Strategic Communications you will learn how states and their governments communicate in international politics and how they shape long term strategies in a range of fields from military to diplomatic to aid and development. This includes preparing for conflict between states or with insurgent groups, communicating a path during hostilities, transitioning through post-conflict situations and also how states use diplomacy, culture and economics to manage the peace and avoid conflict and engage in treaty and trade negotiations. You will also encounter crisis communications: how to shape strategic responses to natural disasters, terror attacks, and military invasions. To appreciate this complex field from multiple perspectives, students will further discover how insurgent and revolutionary movements think about and put into practice their communications strategies with populations and states.

Along with subject matter expertise, students will develop transferable analytic, research and practical skills in a dynamic and rigorous intellectual environment. The course is associated with the King's Centre for Strategic Communications (KCSC) - a global network of government agencies, media and marketing companies, and alumni.

Key Benefits:

• War Studies is a multidisciplinary department devoted to the study of all aspects of war and conflict and the broad remit of international relations. In the 21st century we need to understand how states and insurgent movements communicate their policies and ideas in these dynamic contexts.
• Develop skills for in-depth analytical and critical thinking about international politics. Work with the latest, cutting-edge research in your field.
• Contribute to a vibrant research community. Our world-renowned staff and an international student body come from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds.
• Work with some of the world's best academics in your field. Our Department staff publish world-leading research and offer outstanding research-led teaching and training.
• Work with some of the world's leading practitioners from governments, international organisations, and strategic communications agencies. We teach not only how to think about strategic communications but how to do it.
• Build networks. Connect with visiting academics, government ministers, diplomats, soldiers, aid and trade leaders, and journalists who regularly lecture and deliver our seminars.
• Grow your networks with employers, think-tanks, organisations, policymaking bodies in the UK and globally.
• Enjoy living and studying right in the heart of London beside the River Thames.

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.

MA/PG Cert/ PG Di

The aim of this course is to enhance your knowledge of national and geopolitics today seen through the lens of strategic communications.

The course is available to both full- and part-time students, and is available as an MA, Postgraduate Diploma, or Postgraduate Certificate.

The MA course comprises modules that total 180 credits. You will take two required modules - Theory & Concepts, and the practical Applied Strategic Communications. Each is worth 40 credits. You will take a further 40 credits of optional modules. This can be made up of a single 40 credit module or two 20 credit modules. MA students are also required to write a 15,000-word research dissertation on a topic of Strategic Communications (60 credits).

Fees:

• Full time overseas fees: MA:

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.