Our unique National Security Studies MA enables participants to develop an in-depth understanding of national security both in the UK and from an international perspective. The course focuses on cross governmental responses to security challenges and is structured around key themes such as strategy, counter-terrorism, and ethics in national security. This course brings together current serving security policy practitioners in the public and private sectors, studying alongside our postgraduate students with an interest in policy. All participants will gain an in-depth understanding of national security issues and security approaches in the international context. The course will educate students in key national security themes, enabling them to critically analyse current and future developments in the field. Delivered by a team of academic experts with a background in security policy research and practice, it complements teaching with a series of guest lectures from former ministers, MPs and leading national security experts from the UK and overseas. In the past, guest speakers have included former Security and Intelligence Coordinator Professor Sir David Omand, former National Security Adviser Professor Lord Peter Ricketts, former Ambassador to the UN and National Security Adviser Professor Sir Mark Lyall Grant, and former Deputy Head of the US State Department’s Policy Planning Staff Professor Kori Schake.

Key benefits

• Development of strategic analysis and policy development. The course culminates in the King's National Security Briefing, where participants present their policy proposal ideas to an elite panel of national security experts.
• Development of in-depth, critical and comparative analysis of national security, and familiarisation with the latest research in the discipline.
• High level oral presentation and effective writing skills, developed through a programme of formative and summative exercises throughout the course.
• Transferable skills such as the development of practical, policy-oriented insights into national security coordination and strategy.
• Students benefit from the unique central London location, enabling them to participate in a wide range of national security-related activities and events within and beyond King's, and to build their professional networks in the field.
• A chance to network and connect with visiting academics, government ministers, diplomats and other experts in the field of national security.

Application closing date guidance