MA War Studies or similar

[FredericaLorca]

I wondered if anyone had a student currently studying or having recently undertaken an MA in War Studies? And if so if they could relay what they thought of it / what they are hoping career wise as an outcome, etc?

I was aware of the MA at Kings College London but now there seem to be alternatives at QML, Lancs, Birmingham (distance learning), Reading and Oxford. There was one at Essex but I see it's currently suspended for 26-27.

I do remember reading on here a while ago that some graduates of this kind of course go directly into the military, but I'd be interested to hear from anyone who knows grads who have gone into security / gov't / civil service etc

I know a lot of people who have done the MA at King’s. While others are available, that is clearly the gold standard - at my previous organisation, it was a running joke that having an MA in War Studies from King’s was an essential criteria when recruiting as a significant % of the staff had one. The people I know who have done it have gone into academia, policy research, think tanks, civil service (mainly MoD but not exclusively). While I’d say their careers tend to be in the national security realm, it’s not necessarily all military-type roles but there are a broader range of allies disciplines (cyber, tech, space, terrorism)

@mynameiscalypso Thank you. I did think it was likely the best place to take the MA, but just in case my DC is not ultimately offered a place to study there, we're hoping to find out about the alternative options as well, in case any are worthwhile.

My DS currently at kings doing MA in national security studies having got 1st in politics BSc and then worked for a year after grad in strategic comms. Loves the course the uni etc. really interesting visiting speakers societies and opportunities. Can’t tell you if he will get a job - he is starting to look around and make applications.

if he gets a high 2.1 or first he will likely get in. They offer to 75-85 of applicants.

What was your previous organisation and do they have an interesting job for DS??? He’s very clever and interesting!

DD had a US national friend who did Military History UG BA at KCL and went into US navy. All paid for.

There is someone on MN who is a professor in the war studies department at Kings - think their handle is @warprof so hopefully this will alert them to the thread as it is quite a small field so they are likely to know most of the academics on all the courses.

Is the MA essential to enter the job market? My DD is very interested in the War Studies BA.

Search for previous threads. Lots of useful information.

FWIW, I know someone who then went into the Foreign Office.

My brother did the Military History Masters at Birmingham and went on to civil service graduate scheme. Think he enjoyed the course.

@NotDonna I think that’s very narrow for undergrad study. DD has a friend that did the MA at Kings but her undergrad was European studies and MFL at Kings. Now works in deep tech comms specialising in defence and space. I’d recommend this pathway as a better all round introduction and then do an MA.