Scholarships available, see Fees & Funding section for more information. Our MSc in War & Psychiatry will introduce you to ways of understanding how individuals, both members of the armed forces and civilians, prepare for and cope with psychological trauma. It is designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to explore the field of human conflict and it's impact on health and wellbeing. Drawing on multidisciplinary expertise from military history, psychology and epidemiology, you will have the opportunity to compare the experiences of different nations and conflicts to explore both theoretical and practical aspects of the subject. The course is relevant for careers in military psychiatry and related NGOs, emergency response and anti-terrorist services. We will use a delivery method that combines classroom-based learning with student presentations and discussion groups to explore issues in more detail.

Key benefits

• You will gain an understanding of how people prepare themselves for war, cope during conflict, respond to trauma and adjust to peacetime life.
• You will be taught about the rise of right-wing terrorism and the psychological techniques employed by groups such as Islamic State.
• You will learn not only about the psychological effects on soldiers fighting on the front line but also how civilians cope when subjected to the traumas of war (forced migration, detention, genocide), natural disaster, or terrorism.
• You will examine the psychology of conflict and trauma through different cultures.
• You will develop knowledge and skills not necessarily provided by clinical training.
• You will explore links between earlier conflicts (e.g. WW1/WW2) and current inter-state wars (e.g. Ukraine/Russia, Palestine/Israel).
• You will be taught by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians.
• High levels of student experience - The MSc achieved 100% overall satisfaction in the 2023/4 postgraduate taught experience student survey.

“For me, undertaking an MSc in War and Psychiatry has been one of the best choices I have ever made. The MSc in War and Psychiatry is such a unique and distinguished programme that it often sets me apart from other people with postgraduate degrees. ”

Ruiko, Past student, War & Psychiatry MScShow more

Course essentials

This course will give you a critical understanding of the complex methodological, ethical, historical, medical, cultural and empirical aspects of military psychiatry and the impacts of conflict on civilians. You will develop an ability to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship on civilian populations, terrorist groups and the history, development, and practice of military psychiatry. Our course will enable you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding and skills in the following areas: • The nature, significance and complexities of the history, development and practice of military psychiatry and psychology. • The impact of conflict on the health and wellbeing of civilian populations and high-risk occupations • Systematic and reflexive investigation of the literature and the conceptual, therapeutic, operational, historical and ethical issues surrounding the relationship between war and psychiatry. • Advanced understanding of a comprehensive range of concepts, theories and methods relevant to the psychiatry and psychology of war and terrorism. The course, which can be taken either in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time), places military psychiatry in its appropriate cultural, historical and social context and leads to an internationally recognised qualification. “As well as covering a range of topics in class, students hear from guest speakers throughout the year – we bring in a range of experts including counter-terrorism specialists, members of the armed forces, and clinical psychologists. Students also learn through an annual battlefield tour and visits to military charities and/or museums.” Professor Edgar Jones, Course Leader

Base campus

Denmark Hill Campus

Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience

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

Entry requirements

UK applicants

Standard requirements

A minimum 2:2 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

Applicants should have either:

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in medicine or psychology

• A Bachelor's degree in any subject

• Other qualifications and experience which demonstrate an ability to undertake the programme

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a countrySelect a countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustralasiaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechia (Czech Republic)Democratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFijiFinlandFranceGabonGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHome Fee Status StudentsHondurasHong Kong SARHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé and PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt Kitts and NevisSt. HelenaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & the GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe GambiaTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWalesYemenZambiaZimbabwe

English language requirements

English language band:

D

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.

Selection is made on the basis of the application and references. Applications are normally processed within two weeks of receiving references. All applicants are welcome to visit the department by arrangement, and students from unusual, i.e. non-biological, backgrounds are normally interviewed.

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 detail your reasons for applying to the programme and your future goals. Please try and limit your personal statement to 500 words.
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.
Other	Optional	Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Core Modules

Students are required to complete the following modules.

Introduction to War and Psychiatry

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Self-study time (250 hours)

Psychological Dimensions of Conflict

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Self-study time (250 hours)

Civilians and Extreme Trauma: The Impact of Warfare, Disasters and Political Repression

Lectures (40 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (10 hours) | Self-study time (250 hours)

Advanced Concepts in Military Psychiatry

Lectures (14 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (14 hours) | Self-study time (275 hours)

Dissertation

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (10 hours) Self-study time (570 hours)

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Face to face teaching will be complemented by a battlefield tour in Europe and visits to museums and/or military charities.

Assessment

The main method of assessment for this course is through written coursework. The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.

Assessment

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

Courses are divided into module. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. Students on this course are required to take:

Full time Year 1 – Required Modules

War & Psychiatry: An Introduction (30 credits)

Advanced Concepts in Military Psychiatry (30 credits)

Psychological Dimensions of Conflict (30 credits)

Civilians & Extreme Trauma: The Impact of Warfare, Disasters & Political Repression (30 credits)

Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the following modules and will be required to give one presentation:

Seminar group (no associated credits)

Student presentation group (no associated credits)

Part-Time Year 1 and 2 – Required Modules

War & Psychiatry: An Introduction (30 credits)

Advanced Concepts in Military Psychiatry (30 credits)

Psychological Dimensions of Conflict (30 credits)

Civilians & Extreme Trauma: The Impact of Warfare, Disasters & Political Repression (30 credits)

Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the following modules and will be required to give one presentation:

Seminar group (no associated credits)

Student presentation group (no associated 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.

Careers

Employability

Graduates of the MSc come from a vast array of disciplines and go on to pursue a range of careers, including in the military, academia (research assistants, PhD study), clinical roles (nursing, psychologists, and therapists), government and policy, and charities (military or NGOs).

This MSc will help you to develop research skills as well as an in-depth understanding of the impacts of conflict and trauma on health and wellbeing.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)

International:

Full time: £40,000 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £20,000 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.

IOPPN Postgraduate Taught Scholarships

Scholarships of £5000 are available for this programme for 2025/26 entry, to support students with the financial commitments of postgraduate study. the scholarships are available for all full-time Home and International fee status students, with a deadline to apply of Friday 21 February 2025 click here to find out more.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
• Travel costs for course visits
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• £75 towards the cost of the battlefield tour to Ypres and train fare to Combat Stress near Oxshott.

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.

• Course essentials
• Entry requirements
• Teaching & structure
• Careers
• Fees & Funding

This course will give you a critical understanding of the complex methodological, ethical, historical, medical, cultural and empirical aspects of military psychiatry and the impacts of conflict on civilians. You will develop an ability to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship on civilian populations, terrorist groups and the history, development, and practice of military psychiatry. Our course will enable you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding and skills in the following areas: • The nature, significance and complexities of the history, development and practice of military psychiatry and psychology. • The impact of conflict on the health and wellbeing of civilian populations and high-risk occupations • Systematic and reflexive investigation of the literature and the conceptual, therapeutic, operational, historical and ethical issues surrounding the relationship between war and psychiatry. • Advanced understanding of a comprehensive range of concepts, theories and methods relevant to the psychiatry and psychology of war and terrorism. The course, which can be taken either in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time), places military psychiatry in its appropriate cultural, historical and social context and leads to an internationally recognised qualification. “As well as covering a range of topics in class, students hear from guest speakers throughout the year – we bring in a range of experts including counter-terrorism specialists, members of the armed forces, and clinical psychologists. Students also learn through an annual battlefield tour and visits to military charities and/or museums.” Professor Edgar Jones, Course Leader

Base campus

Denmark Hill Campus

Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience

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 2:2 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

Applicants should have either:

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in medicine or psychology

• A Bachelor's degree in any subject

• Other qualifications and experience which demonstrate an ability to undertake the programme

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a countrySelect a countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustralasiaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechia (Czech Republic)Democratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFijiFinlandFranceGabonGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHome Fee Status StudentsHondurasHong Kong SARHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé and PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt Kitts and NevisSt. HelenaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & the GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe GambiaTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamWalesYemenZambiaZimbabwe

English language requirements

English language band:

D

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.

Selection is made on the basis of the application and references. Applications are normally processed within two weeks of receiving references. All applicants are welcome to visit the department by arrangement, and students from unusual, i.e. non-biological, backgrounds are normally interviewed.

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 detail your reasons for applying to the programme and your future goals. Please try and limit your personal statement to 500 words.
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.
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

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Core Modules

Students are required to complete the following modules.

Introduction to War and Psychiatry

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Self-study time (250 hours)

Psychological Dimensions of Conflict

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Self-study time (250 hours)

Civilians and Extreme Trauma: The Impact of Warfare, Disasters and Political Repression

Lectures (40 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (10 hours) | Self-study time (250 hours)

Advanced Concepts in Military Psychiatry

Lectures (14 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (14 hours) | Self-study time (275 hours)

Dissertation

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (10 hours) Self-study time (570 hours)

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Face to face teaching will be complemented by a battlefield tour in Europe and visits to museums and/or military charities.

Assessment

The main method of assessment for this course is through written coursework. The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.

Assessment

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

Courses are divided into module. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. Students on this course are required to take:

Full time Year 1 – Required Modules

War & Psychiatry: An Introduction (30 credits)

Advanced Concepts in Military Psychiatry (30 credits)

Psychological Dimensions of Conflict (30 credits)

Civilians & Extreme Trauma: The Impact of Warfare, Disasters & Political Repression (30 credits)

Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the following modules and will be required to give one presentation:

Seminar group (no associated credits)

Student presentation group (no associated credits)

Part-Time Year 1 and 2 – Required Modules

War & Psychiatry: An Introduction (30 credits)

Advanced Concepts in Military Psychiatry (30 credits)

Psychological Dimensions of Conflict (30 credits)

Civilians & Extreme Trauma: The Impact of Warfare, Disasters & Political Repression (30 credits)

Research Dissertation (60 credits)

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the following modules and will be required to give one presentation:

Seminar group (no associated credits)

Student presentation group (no associated 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

Graduates of the MSc come from a vast array of disciplines and go on to pursue a range of careers, including in the military, academia (research assistants, PhD study), clinical roles (nursing, psychologists, and therapists), government and policy, and charities (military or NGOs).

This MSc will help you to develop research skills as well as an in-depth understanding of the impacts of conflict and trauma on health and wellbeing.

Tuition Fees

UK:

Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)

International:

Full time: £40,000 per year (2025/26)

Part time: £20,000 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.

IOPPN Postgraduate Taught Scholarships

Scholarships of £5000 are available for this programme for 2025/26 entry, to support students with the financial commitments of postgraduate study. the scholarships are available for all full-time Home and International fee status students, with a deadline to apply of Friday 21 February 2025 click here to find out more.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
• Travel costs for course visits
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• £75 towards the cost of the battlefield tour to Ypres and train fare to Combat Stress near Oxshott.

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

Related courses in this study area

Addictions MScAffective Disorders MScApplied Neuroscience MSc, PG Dip (online)Applied Statistical Modelling & Health Informatics MSc/PGDip/PGCert