Global Security
100% online | MA/PG Dip/PG Cert
Module Overview
- Security Studies Theories & Approaches (15 credits)
- Security Structures & Processes (15 credits)
- Human Security: Intersections & Inequalities (15 credits)
- Science & Security (15 credits)
- Global Challenges: Ecology, Health and Migration (15 credits)
- Geopolitics & Rising Powers (15 credits)
- Conflict, Security & Justice (15 credits)
- Law, Ethics & Human Rights (15 credits)
- Introduction to Critical Methodologies (15 credits)
- Critical Engagement with Literature (15 credits)
- Dissertation (30 credits)
- Cyber Security in the Information Age (15 credits)
- Understanding Deterrence in Theory & Practice (15 credits)
- International Political Economy (15 credits)
- Proxy Wars & Hybrid Wars (15 credits)
- Women, Peace & Security (15 credits)
Foundation modules
This module provides an applied introduction to key perspectives and approaches in security studies, equipping students with the knowledge and critical skills to situate themselves within current theoretical and disciplinary debates.
Grounded in two empirical cases: environmental security and changing nature of warfare, the module is organised around the question: who or what should security studies seek to secure? In this module, we’ll introduce a variety of perspectives within security studies, from state-centric to critical approaches. It will demonstrate that each perspective offers an important vantage point to understanding war, conflict and a wide range of other challenges to human security.
Paying attention to the accessibility and diversity of our potential studies, we begin with the practice of cartography and the metaphor of maps, to demonstrate where we stand. We’ll explore how the historical and contemporary vantage points we look at the world from fundamentally shape how we understand security. Approaches we will critically examine range from the state-centric theories of realism, liberalism and constructivism to a variety of critical approaches, such as feminist and post- colonial security studies.
This module looks at actors, structures and processes in global security, including the role of individuals and organisations, structures of global politics and processes of security cooperation and competition. We’ll introduce you to rationales for, processes of and expected benefits and challenges of building international institutions.
You’ll explore institutional and organisational models in different regions, such as Europe, Asia‑Pacific or Africa, and you’ll examine their impact on the ability of members to manage security threats effectively. We’ll discuss processes of securitisation and why or how some policy issues become re‑framed as security threats, and critically examine what this means for processes of policymaking and implementation.
The module focuses on the emergence and evolution of the concept of ‘human security’ in theory and practice. Through the exploration of diverse interpretations of the concept, the module encourages you to critically engage with the perspectives of the Global North and the Global South, ask whose voices are heard and whose security needs are protected. To this end, we’ll critically examine the adoption of the human security concept by governments as a set of principles, guiding policy and its implementation through the work of NGOs. It looks at the political and practical implications of ‘securing’ the individual, with particular reference to human rights and pre-conditions for maximising individual potential as understood in liberal conceptions (such as good governance, healthcare and the living environment).
We’ll introduce post-colonial and feminist critiques of human security, enabling an in-depth interrogation of the concept and locating it within broader debates on hegemony, racism and gender inequality in international politics. You’ll engage closely and critically with different interpretations of the concept and ask what this means for policymaking, the relationship between state and non-state actors, and their ability to influence and shape security from the local to the global level.
During Science & Security, we’ll critically explore developments in science and dual-use technologies and their impact on contemporary security, chemical and biological agents, nuclear proliferation, modernisation and the nuclear arms race, missile technology, space, cyber, artificial intelligence and unmanned vehicles.
Science and technology have long been pivotal to progression in human development as well as a threat to security from the individual to the global level. We’ll explore how science and technology impact the wide range of security concerns today, from innovative weapons development in multiple domains to addressing and reversing the causes of global health threats and environmental degradation. You’ll uncover threats arising from technology developments, such as the impact on the cognitive space and leadership challenges of artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities, and you’ll discover how the potential of scientific enquiry and application can be harnessed for the benefit of humankind.
Advanced modules
In this module, we’ll assess causes of and remedies for different but related cross-border security challenges: climate change, environmental degradation, the loss of biodiversity, pandemics and migration. You’ll look at current and long-term threats to the ecosystem and examine the risks of perpetuating current practices of energy use, food production and exploitation of other natural resources.
You’ll also look at health threats, especially epidemics or pandemics of contagious diseases, in local and global contexts, and you’ll evaluate prevention, response and the securitising narratives surrounding outbreaks. As well as critically analysing the causes of and discourses on migration and government/societal responses, the module invites reflection on innovative approaches that could point towards more successful action to address these existential challenges.
You’ll begin by examining global security and securing global health, before moving into the second part where you’ll look at environmental shifts and global security and concluding with an exploration of solving and predicting global security challenges.
Get ready to examine the historical evolution and revival of the concept of geopolitics in this advanced module. You’ll learn about the resurgence of Russia, the rise of China, the forces of disorder that are remaking international politics in the 21st century – and how small, medium and great powers have historically deployed tools of statecraft and ideas of grand strategy to navigate a changing and contested international order.
The module explores new forms of agency and competition, considering how state and non-state actors challenge and collaborate with each other, innovations in how power is generated and sustained by private force and surrogates or other non-state actors in the 21st century, and how their relationships and assemblages affect regional and international security dynamics and balances of power in new and important ways.
In this module, you’ll examine how the problematic concept of ‘security’ and its attendant practices have been dissected, challenged and reassembled and what this means for our understanding of conflict, violence and peace in practice. You’ll be able to engage in a deeper analysis of how conflicts emerge, can be regulated, prevented from becoming violent and be resolved sustainably. To this end, you’ll explore a range of perspectives and approaches, for example, liberal and critical security studies such as feminist and gender studies, critical race theory, peace studies and post-colonialism.
Throughout the module, you’ll be able to apply these approaches to real-life examples and case studies. For example, you’ll explore the complexities of conflict transformation, peacebuilding and post-conflict justice. As part of your in-depth exploration, you’ll assess the extent to which transitional justice might be able to address contemporary problems of racial injustice and legacies of colonialism, or whether as a tool of liberal peacebuilding, it is itself a colonising force.
The fundamental legal, ethical and moral principles of human security in practice are the central point of this module. It explores causes and consequences of threats to human rights and social justice across the globe, such as violent nationalism, persecution of minorities and displacement.
You’ll critically appraise the efforts of governments, international organisations and non-governmental advocacy networks to secure and protect human rights and promote good governance. We’ll examine legal, international framework, such as conventions on the right to asylum against torture and the protection of equal rights of women. As well as considering the legitimacy of humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect civilians, we’ll delve into technological challenges to existing international law, such as unmanned aerial vehicle (drones) operations.
Optional modules
This module aims at providing a theoretical and conceptual introduction to the International Relations sub-field of International Political Economy (IPE), as well as various case study applications. Initially, you’ll be provided with an introduction to the key IPE theories, namely: mercantilism (this is the equivalent of the international relations realism theory), anti‑mercantilism (liberalism) and marxism, as well as other IPE theories.
Then, you’ll be introduced to the key factors concerned with IPE and their continued impact and influence on the international political system. Specifically, these factors are Imperialism, post‑colonialism, the East-West divide, and the North‑South divide. Penultimately, we’ll assess a brief history of the International Monetary System (IMS) to explain how this IPE element has evolved and the guise in which it impacts the international political system.
Finally, you’ll examine the five IPE dynamics: international trade, development, financial institutions, multinational corporations and energy, and how each of these dynamics interacts with and determine the development of the international political system. To flesh out the detail concerned with these IPE concepts, this module includes several case studies, which will be used to provide real-world applications and examples. This exercise aims to contribute to your understanding of the discipline and expose you to the specific detail and significance of the case studies.
States use their military power to deter potential adversaries from the use of violence. This module analyses the evolution of deterrence theory in the late twentieth century and the requirements for communication, credibility and capability in the use of deterrence.
Traditionally seen as the activities or threats of one state to deter an adversary’s use of nuclear weapons, you’ll discover that in recent years, this has evolved to deterrence or other types of military activity. We’ll conclude this module with a case study of the failure of deterrence in Syria in 2013.
During this module, you’ll investigate gendered perspectives on security and how this can impact the successful implementation of stabilisation initiatives. Britain is a signatory to several United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) aimed at the protection of women in armed conflict and application of a gender perspective in peace support, peace-keeping and post-conflict reconstruction operations. As a member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), it’s also party to the alliance’s commitment to implementing the same UNSCR in NATO-led operations. In 2012, NATO updated its original 2009 Bi-Strategic Command Directive on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions on women, peace and security.
Gender is defined by the socially constructed roles of females and males. It’s dependent on cultural context and defines relationships and positions of males and females within social structures. We’ll discuss how gender inclusiveness enhances operational effectiveness. A major aspect of these strategic developments is the need to address and prevent sexual violence in armed conflict. Therefore, modern armed forces and partner organisations must not tolerate, facilitate or commit acts of sexual violence.
Research & Dissertation modules
During this introductory module, we’ll give you the skills needed to conduct research, study and write in the field of global security. It’s tailored for those who’ve been absent from academia since their first degree and offers guidance if you’re new to the discipline.
The focus of this module is selecting a dissertation topic, which can remain broad in scope at this stage. It will enable the allocation of a dissertation supervisor who will offer you bespoke support throughout the programme. As such, it’s the first stage of a three-module portfolio dissertation.
- Week one: posing questions
- Week two: approaches to research
- Week three: using theory
- Week four: historical methodologies
- Week five: source analysis
- Week six: planning and managing research
The central goal of this module is to enable you to produce a literature review for your final project – the dissertation. You’ll develop your ability to engage with academic literature, and you’ll progress from identifying and understanding relevant pieces of literature to be able to critically assess academic writing.
Within this scope, the module will equip you with the skills to differentiate between several types of written literature on their merits – identifying the rigour behind work and thus its authority as a source for an academic essay. You’ll begin to question the content of scholarly writings and of situating them in relation to each other and your ideas and arguments.
- Week one: engaging critically with literature
- Week two: what is history?
- Week three: history in international relations
- Week four: debates in international relations
- Week five: debates in strategic studies
- Week six: academic writing
To complete study at master’s level, you must complete work on a self-directed extended research project.
Starting with the Introduction to Critical Methodologies module, you’ll write a 2,500-word essay on your chosen methodology for your dissertation (17% of your dissertation grade). At the end of this module, you’ll have chosen your dissertation topic, been assigned a supervisor and be able to begin work on the project. During the Critical Engagement with Literature module, you’ll complete a second 2,500-word essay which forms the Literature Review of the Dissertation (17% of your dissertation grade).
Once all taught elements of the course are concluded, you’ll start to write up your dissertation project: a 10,000-word essay (making up 66% of your grade). Throughout this process, you’ll have access to a bespoke learning environment with reminders on essay writing techniques and research tips. You’ll also have access to a continuously monitored discussion forum where you can share your ideas, thinking and progress with your fellow students. A Teaching Fellow will monitor the forum to assist with generic research-based questions. Your supervisor will be able to assist with specific questions on your project, and they’ll offer four half-hour meetings throughout the programme to provide advice and guidance.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about studying online with King’s, please contact our Enrolment Advisors or visit our website.
or email onlineenrolmentservice@kcl.ac.uk
www.kcl.ac.uk/online
Important Information
This brochure was reviewed in February 2025. It contains information on the Global Security online programme that King’s College London (‘King’s’) intends to run for students who are planning to start the course in 2024/25. King’s has made every effort to ensure that this information is both helpful and accurate but some changes, for example to courses, facilities, or fees, may become necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory, or academic reasons. King’s will endeavour to keep changes to a minimum and to keep applicants informed appropriately. For this reason, it’s important that you regularly check our website (www.kcl.ac.uk) for updates or contact King’s using the contact details contained within this document.
