Defence Studies Research PhD
King's College London
Student rating
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( 4.1)

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Different course options
6 options available
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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

Strand Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Strand Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

FEB-25

Duration

3 Years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

FEB-25

Duration

6 Years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Strand Campus

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

6 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Online Campus

Study mode

Online

Start date

FEB-25

Duration

6 Years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Online Campus

Study mode

Online

Start date

FEB-25

Duration

3 Years

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Course info

OverviewThe Defence Studies Departments unique position as an academic department based at the UKs Defence Academy in Oxfordshire heavily influences its research. Sitting at the heart of security and defence education in the United Kingdom, it can draw on the experiences and knowledge of not only UK military officers and civil servants, but officers from a wide range of allied nations. The Departments research is therefore able to benefit from and influence defence thinking and policymaking not ...Read more

Overview

The Defence Studies Departments unique position as an academic department based at the UKs Defence Academy in Oxfordshire heavily influences its research. Sitting at the heart of security and defence education in the United Kingdom, it can draw on the experiences and knowledge of not only UK military officers and civil servants, but officers from a wide range of allied nations. The Departments research is therefore able to benefit from and influence defence thinking and policymaking not just in the UK, but across the world.

Research in the Department is reflective of the diverse interests of our staff members and postgraduate community. It covers military, naval, diplomatic and imperial history, international relations, defence and regional security studies, strategic studies, and the ethics of conflict. This wide range of topics is united by their relation and relevance to contemporary security and defence issues. Researchers from the Department have played an important role in past UK security and defence reviews and continue to influence future reviews. Staff members are regularly consulted by national and international media on contemporary and past events, and they are actively engaged in public engagement with the heritage sector. Research projects in the Department have been supported by a variety of funding bodies, including the Leverhulme Trust, the British Academy, the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC), the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the MacArthur Foundation, the British Council, the European Commission, the US Army War College, the UK Ministry of Defence, and the US Department of Defense.

Since 2011, the Department has run its own postgraduate research programme. We attract studentships from a variety of sources, including the ESRC and the AHRC. Nearly 120 students are currently undertaking doctoral research in the Department. Every year, approximately 30 students join our MPhil/PhD programme.

The Department is especially interested in receiving applications from students planning research projects in fields that enhance the strength of the Departments research groups and centres. Details of these can be found on the Defence Studies website, as well as a full list of staff and their research interests. The Department assumes that research students will normally be attached to one or more of these groups and centres, which in all cases will enhance research culture and be consistent with Defence Studies research strategy.

Course Detail

Defence Studies Research MPhil/PhD candidates join a thriving interdisciplinary research community, connecting with world-leading scholars and practitioners. Postgraduate students will work with at least one supervisor from within the Defence Studies Department and at least one other supervisor either from the Department or elsewhere in the College. The Department has a close relationship with the Department of War Studies, often working closely in MPhil/PhD supervision. For a full staff list and their research interests please access the Department of War Studies website.

During the first year of study, it is College policy that both full and part time students will have their progress reviewed within 3 months of initial registration and again after a period of nine months registration. Thereafter, the progress of all students will be reviewed at every six months.

Key stats

CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
24th

Entry requirements

Master's degree with high merit, and a 2:1 honours degree at the bachelor's level. It is highly desirable (but not essential) to have taken courses in this field at postgraduate level before undertaking research work in the Defence Studies Department. Extensive practical experience in a relevant field (eg military, diplomatic, humanitarian or developmental) may be taken into account when evaluating an application.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£6,540 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

£6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD, Defence Studies via Distance Learning). The mentioned fee is for 2023/24 year entry. There might be a slight increase in 2024/25 year entry.

£24,360 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD, Defence Studies via Distance Learning). The mentioned fee is for 2023/24 year entry. There might be a slight increase in 2024/25 year entry.

£24,360 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

£24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD, Defence Studies via Distance Learning). The mentioned fee is for 2023/24 year entry. There might be a slight increase in 2024/25 year entry.

IDP Connect

Uni info

King's College London
King's College London , London

King's College London (King’s) is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK....

Student rating
( 4.1) View reviews
CUG ranking
24th
King's College London
Strand Westminster London WC2R 2LS United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: Temple  0.1 miles away Nearest train station: Charing Cross   0.2 miles away
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