International Relations and War MA

2 Years Part Time Masters Program

Kings College London

Program Overview

The MA International Relations & War combines deep insights into global politics with focused study of conflict, security and war — exploring how international relations and modern conflict intersect. It suits students keen on understanding global security dynamics, war studies, diplomacy, and international affairs — whether you’re aiming for roles in government, international organisations, policy, research, or academia.

Curriculum Structure

Because this is a two-year master’s programme, the structure allows you both to build a solid foundation and to specialise over time:

In Year 1, you will complete the core foundational modules: “International Relations & Contemporary War 1: Theories & Concepts” and “International Relations & Contemporary War 2: Problems & Issues” (each 15 credits). These give you a robust grounding in the key theories, historical contexts, and conceptual frameworks that underpin international politics and contemporary conflict — preparing you to analyse and understand global security challenges.

In Year 2, after foundational work, you choose optional modules (totalling 90 credits) depending on your interests — for example modules such as “Insurgency & Counter-insurgency”, “Intelligence in War & Peace”, “International Law & the Use of Force”, “Middle Eastern Security”, “Spacepower and War”, “History of Contemporary Warfare”, or “The Future of War” — allowing you to specialise in security studies, regional conflict, intelligence, law and war, technological and strategic aspects of conflict, etc. Finally, you complete a Disssertation (60 credits): an original research project on a topic of your choice related to war, security, or international relations under academic supervision.

Focus areas

“International Relations Theory, Contemporary War & Conflict, Security Studies, Global Politics, Intelligence & Strategy, International Law & Use of Force, Regional and Global Conflict Dynamics, Insurgency & Counterinsurgency, Warfare History & Strategic Studies”

Learning outcomes

“You will gain an advanced understanding of global political and security structures; ability to critically analyse causes and consequences of war and conflict; competence to evaluate security, intelligence and strategic issues; capacity to conduct independent research in war & international relations; readiness for roles in security analysis, policy-making, diplomacy, intelligence, global organisations or further academic research.”

Professional alignment (accreditation)

This MA is offered by the Department of War Studies — one of the world’s leading and longest-established centres for security, conflict, and international relations studies. That institutional pedigree gives your qualification high credibility in academia, government, international organisations, research institutes, think-tanks, and security-related roles globally.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you join the MA International Relations & War, you’re not just studying theories — you get access to world-class research resources, archives, diverse teaching formats, and networks that connect you to contemporary global security, diplomacy, and conflict topics. This helps you build practical skills in analysis, research, policy thinking, and historical inquiry.

Here’s how that translates into real experiences and institutional support:

Access to premier archives — the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives (LHCMA): As a War Studies / IR & War student, you benefit from the LHCMA, which holds private papers of over 700 senior British defence & military personnel (from 1900 onward). This gives you rare access to primary-source documents, memoirs, strategic plans, and historical records — invaluable if you are interested in defence policy, historical wars, intelligence, or strategy research.
24/7-accessible libraries & postgraduate-study facilities: You get access to KCL’s libraries (like the Maughan Library on the Strand campus), which provide quiet study spaces, computer rooms, group-work rooms, assistive-tech support and dedicated postgraduate workspaces. These resources support both your coursework and independent research/dissertation work.
Interdisciplinary & research-led teaching in a globally recognised department: The course draws on the expertise of the Department of War Studies — a unique centre devoted to war, conflict, security, international relations and strategy — meaning you study under faculty who are active scholars and analysts of conflicts, geopolitics, security and global affairs.
Flexible learning pathways including optional modules & dissertation work: The programme’s structure allows you to pick optional modules (on topics like security, conflict, international relations, global politics) and then conduct your own dissertation on a topic of your choice, giving hands-on experience in research design, data/archival work, critical writing, and independent analysis.
Opportunities for global & policy-oriented perspectives (“real-world relevance”): Because the programme is embedded in a department focused on conflict, war and international affairs, students get exposure to contemporary global issues — war, security, diplomacy, globalisation, identity politics, technological change — and learn to analyse these as they unfold, not only historically but in modern context as well.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this MA often move into influential roles across government, international organisations, security services, policy think-tanks, or media — combining their deep understanding of conflict, international relations and war with analytical and research skills. Typical roles include: Diplomat / Foreign Affairs Officer, Policy Analyst or Advisor, Security or Risk Consultant / Analyst, Researcher or Analyst at Think-Tanks or International Organisations.

This strong progression is underpinned by KCL’s structural support and global standing:

Dedicated career support via KCL’s Careers & Employability / Department of War Studies: KCL’s Careers & Employability offers tailored guidance, CV- and interview-preparation, networking events, employer-engagement sessions and internship/placement support — with specific panels for security, international relations and defence-oriented careers.
Wide sector diversity and alumni success across public, private and international fields: Graduates end up working in UK and international governments (defence, foreign ministries), international bodies (e.g. UN, EU, NATO), NGOs, media and journalism, banking/finance (risk analysis), consultancy, think-tanks, and even private-sector security or global affairs firms.
Strong employability — high-skilled employment shortly after graduation: The wider KCL graduate-outcomes survey shows that over 90% of King’s graduates secure highly-skilled employment within 15 months of graduation.
Global-recognised accreditation and departmental prestige: The programme is housed in the Department of War Studies — one of the world’s oldest and most respected centres devoted to conflict, security, and international relations — giving your degree strong long-term credibility in government, security, research, diplomacy and academia globally.
Flexibility across career paths — from policy to media to research or academia: Because the MA covers war, conflict, IR theory, global politics, security studies, diplomacy, and method-based research, graduates have flexibility to move into diplomacy, strategic or geopolitical analysis, security consultancy, journalism or communications, international development, or further academic/research work.