Modern War Studies

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With Britain having recently been more heavily involved in overseas wars than at any point in the last half century, the University of Buckingham has launched a Masters degree in Modern War Studies based at the Cavalry and Guards Club in London. The course commences in late September 2012 with three research skills seminars and after a year of supervised independent research, culminates with the students submission of a dissertation. During the first six months, candidates are encouraged to attend a series of guest seminars and dinners (set out in detail below) at which some of the most eminent names in the field present papers. This series of talks examines why and how modern wars are fought, and the principal influences that will affect the conduct of war and Britains role in the future. This seminar programme will also be attended by Associate Students who are not degree candidates but wish to attend the talks and enjoy the ensuing discussion over dinner.

For Masters degree candidates the core of the programme is the writing, under supervision, of the dissertation on a subject chosen by the student in the field of Modern War Studies. Subject to approval by the Course Director, the topic to be examined in the dissertation can address any aspect of warfare since 1945, and the precise topic is usually formulated in a process of discussion with the Course Director and/or the students supervisor. The length of the dissertation is not more than 40,000 words and usually not less than 20,000. Research does not have to be confined to British-related subjects. Some of the themes which students may wish to examine include: political decision making; alliances; warfare and faith; the impact of critical strategic thinkers; intelligence gathering; the impact of technology on the battlefield; the development of doctrine; military-media relations; leadership; command and control; the application of force at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of war on land, sea and air; and the influence of war on non-combatants, politics, society, economies and cultures.

This is a London-based course. The seminars will be held at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Central London (127 Piccadilly). The nearest London Underground Stations are Hyde Park (Piccadilly Line) or Green Park (Victoria, Jubilee and Piccadilly Lines). Seminars begin at 19:00 and are followed by a formal post-seminar dinner at which students can engage in a general discussion with the speaker.

Seminars
There will be a programme of three research skills sessions and ten guest seminars, directed by Professor Lloyd Clark. Running approximately every other week from October 2012 to March 2013, seminar speakers will include recently serving generals and some of the most distinguished scholars and commentators in the field of modern war studies. The 2012-13 seminar programme will include:

* Lord Ashdown(Politician and diplomat) Grand Strategy in the 21st Century
* General the Lord Dannatt (Former Chief of the General Staff) Security, Stability and Change: An analysis of todays threats and our responses
* Sir Max Hastings (Military historian and author)- The Falklands War 30 Years On
* Professor Hew Strachan (All Souls College, Oxford) The Changing Nature of War
* General Sir John Kiszely (Former Director of the Defence Academy)- Coalition Warfare in the 21st Century
* Major General Mungo Melvin (Author of Manstein Hitlers Greatest General) Counter-Stroke Operations from Manstein to Schwarzkopf
* Jack Fairweather (Journalist and author)- Britain and Iraq 2003-9
* Professor Gwyn Prins (London School of Economics) The British Way of Strategy Making Vital Lessons for Our Times
* Major Laurence Bedford (Princess of Waless Royal Regiment) Company Command in War Personal Reflections
* Dr Matthias Strohn (Royal Military Academy Sandhurst)- Counter-Insurgency During the Cold War

How is the programme assessed?
* Examination is by a research dissertation on an approved topic of not less than 20,000 words.

Students will normally be required to have: * A first or second class honours degree (or equivalent) or substantial relevant work experience.Students shall also have satisfied the Programme Director that they have sufficient background knowledge to undertake the degree. It is likely that they will already have a background of study in history or a cognate discipline and that they have identified a research topic which they wish to study and which they are qualified to pursue. The emphasis of the Buckingham MA in War Studies is on independent research. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C) TOEFL paper-based test score : 570 TOEFL iBT® test: 90 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Bursaries and scholarships can be a great way of financing your studies, and enabling you to achieve your potential. If you win a scholarship, you receive a discount on your fees and, most important, a scholarship on your CV will make you stand out to future employers.

How many bursaries and scholarships are available?
A number of scholarships and bursaries are awarded annually by the University which vary from partial fee to full-fee awards. These are thanks to the donations received from supporters of the University, including the Audrey Osborn Trust, The Headley Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Brunner Family Trust, RM & D Gregory, Eranda Foundation and John Desborough Memorial Bequest.

Applications are now closed for July and September 2012 applicants. We will be considering January and April 2013 applicants from Monday 17 September, the deadline for submission will be Friday 2 November.

The following Scholarships have specific entry criteria and / or deadlines:

* Sir Ray Tindle Scholarships
* The Paul E H Davis Awards Deadline for applications: 31 October 2012 for Exhibitions & flexible for Research Scholarship.

Entry requirements & procedure
It is the Universitys policy to ensure that bursaries and scholarships are awarded to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from a University education. In the case of some scholarships, at the request of the donor, academic merit will also be taken into consideration.

All awards are subject to your meeting the Universitys academic entry requirements and abiding by the rules and regulations. To be eligible to apply for a scholarship you will need to have been offered a place to study at Buckingham. In the case of UCAS applications, if you are made an award you will need to select Buckingham as your firm acceptance choice.

Please note: these awards are made to new students only, current students are not eligible to apply.