War in the Modern World (by e-learning)

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War in the Modern World is a flexible, modular masters programme, rich in media and reading resources, delivered entirely online via the King's College London Virtual Learning Environment. Students will interact with an engaging and lively community of fellow graduates, from a wide variety of backgrounds.

The programme will give students a comprehensive and up-to-the-minute understanding of modern military theory and operations in the light of the wide-ranging economic, social, technological and political changes in the world between 1945 and today. It will equip students to engage critically with scholarly debate about the conduct and nature of contemporary warfare, and to understand the contexts in which modern military operations take place.

Study

Modules are divided into five units, each studied for two weeks. Within each unit, students read online authored content and follow links to extensive readings and other resources. Selected students then post a draft response to the unit Short Essay question, and this draft forms the basis of a lively and intensive asynchronous (message-board style) online discussion within the tutor group, moderated by the tutor. At the end of this discussion, the selected students revise their Short Essays for submission.

All students also complete an individual Long Essay for each module, due after all units are complete.

After studying the required number of modules, all students then complete an individual dissertation, which forms the final element of their degree programme.

Delivery and duration

The entire MA War in the Modern World Programme is delivered online, via the King's College London Virtual Learning Environment, (KEATS); there is no requirement for students to attend King's College London or even to be resident in the UK.

Student destinations

Past students from this programme have gone on to build careers in NGOs, civil services, NATO, the UN, media and publishing, finance and investment and teaching, as well as in the armed forces. A number of our students have had articles published in peer-reviewed journals, and undertaken further academic research.

Core programme content

All students must complete the following compulsory modules, in the sequence specified:

* A short non-assessed one-week Induction and Oreintation module.
* History of Contemporary Warfare 1: The early Cold War, 19451975 (taken in Term 1 of the first year).
* History of Contemporary Warfare 2: From Cold War to 'New World Order' (taken in Term 2 of the first year).

Indicative non-core content

Possible option modules in the War in the Modern World programme are as follows:

* African Security
* Air Power Studies 1: The quest to remove battle from war
* Air Power Studies 2: Case studies of integrated air power
* Contemporary Warfare and International Relations
* European Security
* Insurgency and Counter-insurgency
* Intelligence in War and Peace
* International Law and the Use of Force
* Middle Eastern Security
* Seapower
* South Asian Security
* Strategic Dimensions of Contemporary Warfare.

* Students should possess a first or upper second class honours degree (or GPA must be above 3.25) in history, international relations, political science, economics or other appropriate subject of the University of London or an equivalent qualification from another British or overseas university. Degrees in other subjects, or candidates with lower awards than those above, may be considered by the Admissions Tutor. Strong references and personal statements are an important part of the application, as is relevant working experience. * An alternative professional or other qualification obtained by a formal examination may be approved. Prior experiential learning can also be taken into consideration by the admissions panel. Where alternative professional or other qualifications are not available, evidence will be required that a candidate can undertake academic study to the level required. If necessary, candidates will be asked to submit a sample of written work. * Overseas students whose first language is not English must meet the formal standard of English which are either IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency. The School of Social Science and Public Policy minimum entry requirements for our graduate programmes are detailed in a table on the English Language Requirements webpage. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL iBT® test: 100 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.

Students are generally self-funded. We regret that there are currently no forms of student subsidy or scholarship available for this programme.

Accreditation

Kings is:

* one of the top 20 universities in the world (2013-4 QS international world rankings)
* the Sunday Times Best University for Graduate Employment 2012-3
* the fourth oldest university in England
* research-led and based in the heart of London.

Kings has over 25,000 students (including more than 10,000 postgraduates) from 140 countries and over 6,500 employees.

Kings provides world-class teaching and cutting-edge research:

* In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 23 departments ranked in the top 25 per cent of British universities.
* Over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in the top 10 per cent in the UK.
* The College is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings with an overall annual income of nearly £525 million.

Kings has a distinguished reputation in:

* the humanities
* law
* the sciences, including health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry
* social sciences, including international affairs.

King's is in The Complete University Guide's Top Ten for:

* Anatomy & Physiology - 9th
* Classics & Ancient History - 9th
* Dentistry - 3rd
* Drama, Dance & Cinematics - 4th
* Education - 2nd
* Food Science - 1st
* French - 6th
* Law - 7th
* Music - 4th
* Philosophy - 6th
* Physiotherapy - 10th
* Theology & Religious Studies - 8th.

According to the latest Sunday Times University Guide 2013 for courses starting in 2013, the Film Studies department is ranked the best in the UK for the study of film and is one of the best in the world.

Kings has influenced many of the advances that shape modern life, such as:

* the discovery of the structure of DNA
* research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar
* being the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe.