Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
Politics & Contemporary History MA
Key information
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180 / ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
The MA in Politics & Contemporary History provides you with an advanced critical study of the government and politics of contemporary Britain, using history and historical methodologies. It develops the knowledge, techniques and skills relevant to your interests and research needs and equips you for independent research and analysis and for writing at an advanced level.
Key benefits
- Study contemporary history and politics in the heart of London, with unrivalled access to archives and libraries.
- Course tutors include renowned experts in the field of politics and contemporary history.
- You attend regular research seminars in contemporary British history and have full access to other exciting activities, including seminars, conferences and other public events.
This course is primarily taught at King’s College London Strand Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary.
Base campuses
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
2:1 honours in history, politics or a relevant discipline, eg public policy, law or social science. Evidence of achievement of an academic level comparable to at least 2:1 honours through past studies, and where previous study, work or experience (eg in government or NGO service) has made the applicant a suitable candidate, will also be considered.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
B
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
Your application will be assessed by an admissions tutor. We may invite some candidates for interview.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes | Please submit a one-page personal statement with your application, explaining why you wish to apply for this programme and why you feel it matches your interests, academic background and, if relevant, your career plans. Please also list the optional modules in which you are interested. |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you. |
| Other | Optional | Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures
Seminars
Self-Study
Check out further information about our Political Economy courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face-to-face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
| Module | Lectures, seminars and feedback | Self-study |
|---|---|---|
| Per 15-credit module |
The total contact time for each 15-credit taught module is 20 hours. |
Each 15-credit taught module has 130 hours of self-guided learning time. |
| Dissertation module | A set of dissertation workshops plus one-to-one dissertation consultations. | 592 hours self-study and project work. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
Most 15-credit modules are assessed by an essay of between 3500 – 4500 words. However, assessment types and patterns may vary across modules. The dissertation module is assessed by a 15,000-word dissertation.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Required modules
You are required to take the following modules:
British Political History since 1945 (15 credits)
The Evolution of British Government since 1945 (30 credits)
Contemporary History in Practice (15 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)
If you are taking the part-time programme, you will usually take all required taught modules (75 credits in total) during the first year of your programme and the dissertation module in the second year of your programme.
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take 45 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:
Anglo-American Relations Since 1945 (15 credits)
Media, Elections and Campaigning (15 credits)
The New Political Economy of the Media (15 credits)
Business and Politics (15 credits)
Economic History (15 credits)
Parties, Voters and Political Culture, 1945-2010 (15 credits)
Democracy in the United Kingdom (15 credits)
Britain & Europe Since 1945 (15 credits)
Election Campaigning, Public Opinion & Politics in Britain 1945-2010 (15 credits)
No 10 the Cabinet and UK central government: leadership and coordination (15 credits)
Constitutional Political Economy (15 credits)
The Political Effects of Climate Change (15 credits)
Policymaking in Non-Democracies (15 credits)
Managing the UK economy: Fiscal and monetary policy since 1945 (15 credits)
Islam, Politics and Society (15 credits)
People, Protest and Mobilisation: Exploring Social Movement Theory (15 credits)
Political Economy of Violence (15 credits)
Law and Politics of Regulation (15 credits)
Part-time students can decide how to distribute their 45 credits of optional modules over the two years of the programme, as long as they ensure that by the end of the programme they have completed the required number of credits (a minimum of 15 credits of which should be from the programme-approved list). However, please note that part-time students should feel free to discuss this decision with the Programme Director, should they wish to do so.
Students may take a maximum of 30 out of the 45 optional credits from level 7 modules outside of their programme’s approved module list, subject to approval by the Programme Director.
Students may take an additional non-assessed credit language module for free. This option is available in addition to the required 180 credits.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
After studying this course you can go on to a career in journalism, the civil service, management consultancy, teaching and research.
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
- Library fees and fines.
- Personal photocopies.
- Printing course handouts.
- Society membership fees.
- Stationery.
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
This course is primarily taught at King’s College London Strand Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary.
Base campuses
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
2:1 honours in history, politics or a relevant discipline, eg public policy, law or social science. Evidence of achievement of an academic level comparable to at least 2:1 honours through past studies, and where previous study, work or experience (eg in government or NGO service) has made the applicant a suitable candidate, will also be considered.
In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
B
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
Your application will be assessed by an admissions tutor. We may invite some candidates for interview.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes | Please submit a one-page personal statement with your application, explaining why you wish to apply for this programme and why you feel it matches your interests, academic background and, if relevant, your career plans. Please also list the optional modules in which you are interested. |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you. |
| Other | Optional | Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures
Seminars
Self-Study
Check out further information about our Political Economy courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face-to-face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
| Module | Lectures, seminars and feedback | Self-study |
|---|---|---|
| Per 15-credit module |
The total contact time for each 15-credit taught module is 20 hours. |
Each 15-credit taught module has 130 hours of self-guided learning time. |
| Dissertation module | A set of dissertation workshops plus one-to-one dissertation consultations. | 592 hours self-study and project work. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
Most 15-credit modules are assessed by an essay of between 3500 – 4500 words. However, assessment types and patterns may vary across modules. The dissertation module is assessed by a 15,000-word dissertation.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Required modules
You are required to take the following modules:
British Political History since 1945 (15 credits)
The Evolution of British Government since 1945 (30 credits)
Contemporary History in Practice (15 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)
If you are taking the part-time programme, you will usually take all required taught modules (75 credits in total) during the first year of your programme and the dissertation module in the second year of your programme.
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take 45 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:
Anglo-American Relations Since 1945 (15 credits)
Media, Elections and Campaigning (15 credits)
The New Political Economy of the Media (15 credits)
Business and Politics (15 credits)
Economic History (15 credits)
Parties, Voters and Political Culture, 1945-2010 (15 credits)
Democracy in the United Kingdom (15 credits)
Britain & Europe Since 1945 (15 credits)
Election Campaigning, Public Opinion & Politics in Britain 1945-2010 (15 credits)
No 10 the Cabinet and UK central government: leadership and coordination (15 credits)
Constitutional Political Economy (15 credits)
The Political Effects of Climate Change (15 credits)
Policymaking in Non-Democracies (15 credits)
Managing the UK economy: Fiscal and monetary policy since 1945 (15 credits)
Islam, Politics and Society (15 credits)
People, Protest and Mobilisation: Exploring Social Movement Theory (15 credits)
Political Economy of Violence (15 credits)
Law and Politics of Regulation (15 credits)
Part-time students can decide how to distribute their 45 credits of optional modules over the two years of the programme, as long as they ensure that by the end of the programme they have completed the required number of credits (a minimum of 15 credits of which should be from the programme-approved list). However, please note that part-time students should feel free to discuss this decision with the Programme Director, should they wish to do so.
Students may take a maximum of 30 out of the 45 optional credits from level 7 modules outside of their programme’s approved module list, subject to approval by the Programme Director.
Students may take an additional non-assessed credit language module for free. This option is available in addition to the required 180 credits.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
After studying this course you can go on to a career in journalism, the civil service, management consultancy, teaching and research.
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
- Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
- Library fees and fines.
- Personal photocopies.
- Printing course handouts.
- Society membership fees.
- Stationery.
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Application closing date guidance
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.
The final application deadlines for this programme are:
· Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
· Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
If the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications. Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.
Related courses including study abroad
European Studies MADouble Masters in Asian & International Affairs MADouble Masters in Policies & Governance in Europe MAKey information
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180 / ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
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