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GLOBAL SECURITY

100% online

MA/PG Dip/PG Cert

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Welcome to the Course

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Welcome to the online Global Security MA/ PG Dip/PG Cert at King’s College London. In this brochure, you’ll find out about the leading faculties responsible for the course, the online learning experience and career possibilities, as well as practical information, such as fees and entry requirements.
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The need for understanding the global security landscape has never been more urgent. Alongside physical threats to our establishments and governments, our humanity is threatened, from human rights to radicalisation. This online Global Security Master’s will equip you with the skills to think about security issues holistically and to find practical solutions to the dilemmas they pose. We’ll also cover global power balances and inequalities between the Global North and the Global South in a post-colonial world, alongside the more contemporary security challenges, such as loss of biodiversity, climate change and threats to human security.

Through close engagement with world-class research and teaching conducted by the largest and most diverse collection of security studies scholars on the planet, you’ll expand your conceptual understanding when thinking about security issues and threats. Utilising real-world case studies and scenarios, build the skills needed to effectively negotiate the often- competing demands of securing people, states and the natural environment in a complex global context.

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Is the course for me?

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This course will suit you if you wish to discover emerging security concepts as well as the ingrained challenges we’ve faced for many years, such as war. Our first four modules provide a foundational understanding of the security field, and the advanced modules offer specialist knowledge in a variety of security areas. You may want to take this course if you’re looking to progress your security career, are new to this career path, want to commit to research in this area or have a keen personal interest in the subject.
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Top 10 UK university in the world

Ranked sixth in the UK in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 and joint 36th in the world

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The online programme is incredibly flexible, and it suits my lifestyle, especially my career. Being physically present in the classroom just wouldn’t be possible alongside my work. The experience has been seamless.
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– Kyle, King’s online student
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A winning combination – the departments

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This unique Global Security course has been developed for the Faculty of Social Sciences & Public Policy at King’s College London. The course has been created by a collaboration across two different departments in the School of Security Studies: The Department of War Studies and the Defence Studies Department, meaning you’ll benefit from the world class expertise of two King’s departments.
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School of Security Studies

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Through the School of Security Studies, you’ll gain from their ability to equip students with the intellectual tools to expand and enhance their knowledge and understanding of all aspects of conflict, security and defence. It’s the largest community of scholars in the world dedicated to the research and teaching of all aspects of security – contemporary, historical, theoretical and empirical, and it directly informs academic and policy debates in the UK and internationally.
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The Department of War Studies

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As the only academic department in the world to focus solely on the complexities of conflict and security, you’ll gain expertise from academics at the forefront of world events as they happen. Follow in the footsteps of fellow graduates from the Department of War Studies who’ve gone onto a range of careers, including being appointed to US President Joe Biden’s government.
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The Defence Studies Department

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A unique military partnership with the UK Defence Academy places the Defence Studies Department at the leading edge of professional military education internationally. They aim to equip students with the knowledge, creativity and intellectual skills necessary to succeed in a complex and demanding operating environment.
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The Faculty of Social Sciences & Public Policy

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Located at the heart of one of the world’s truly global cities, the Faculty of Social Sciences & Public Policy has been ranked 5th in the UK for social sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025). Their interdisciplinary approach provides a unique view across the past, present and future, and they’re home to one of the largest UK university communities for social research and education.
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King’s ranked 5th* in the UK for social sciences

*Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025

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Study with a world-leading university

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Founded in 1829, King’s College London is one of the top 10 UK universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) and has a global reputation for excellence. Thousands of students from across the world choose to study at King’s every year, and almost 40% of the academic body comes from outside the UK. King’s is a cosmopolitan university located at the heart of one of Europe’s largest and most diverse cities.
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Meet the academics

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Programme Directors
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Dr Andrea Ellner

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Dr Andrea Ellner is an interdisciplinary scholar who holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations, Free University of Berlin. Her research combines historical with contemporary, political and socio-cultural perspectives on gender, armed forces, war, military ethics and moral injury. She’s also worked on nuclear (non-)proliferation, European defence and security, and maritime security.

Before joining the Department of Defence Studies in 2007, Dr Ellner taught at and led the Graduate Institute of Political and International Studies, University of Reading. Dr Ellner has presented her work and contributed expert advice to fellow scholars, civilians and military practitioners in British and international fora. In addition to regular contributions to scholarly and policy-oriented conferences, she’s engaged in educational outreach activities with British and international armed forces.

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Dr David Easter

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Dr David Easter is a Lecturer in War Studies, the Academic Director for War Studies Online and Programme Director for MA War in the Modern World.

He holds a BA in History and Philosophy from Lancaster University and an MSc and PhD in International History from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has worked as a Lecturer in the Department of International History at the London School of Economics and as a Fellow at the Cold War Studies Centre/IDEAS.

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Career outcomes

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From NGOs to media to government, the field of global security is vast, offering exciting and challenging careers for those who wish to pursue them. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re taking the next leap in your career, this online Global Security Master’s will help you get you there.

Career paths may include roles in Civil Service, NGOs, local or national government, armed forces, ministries of foreign affairs and development, policy think tanks, or private sector organisations, such as risk assessment companies. It may also be suitable for journalists or parliamentary advisers reporting on international issues.

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Careers service

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Our careers service is open to all students and offers careers guidance and industry connections via our CareerConnect portal. Search for jobs, connect with employers and get inside-industry advice from our top-tier research staff.
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King’s College London is ranked 6th in the UK for Graduate Employability

Times Higher Education Global Employability University Ranking 2025

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Get in touch

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If you have any questions about studying online with King’s, please contact our Enrolment Advisors or visit our website.

+44 (0)20 7848 7860

or email onlineenrolmentservice@kcl.ac.uk

www.kcl.ac.uk/online

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Connect with King’s College London
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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.

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