Graduate Diploma in War Studies & Academic English

The School of Social Science & Public Policy (SSPP) offers a range of prestigious MA programmes in public policy as a whole and in various aspects of social science. From September 2008, SSPP and the ELC will be offering a Graduate Diploma in War Studies & Academic English that supports international students in facing the challenges of MA study at King’s College.

This is a full-time one year programme which combines study in War Studies with development of academic English, study skills and critical thinking skills. By the end of the programme, you will be familiar with the academic culture of King’s College, will have improved your overall language and academic skills and have a more detailed understanding of your chosen academic discipline. In the second year, all successful students progress onto their chosen MA programme.

This programme is offered in collaboration with the Department of War Studies, a multi-disciplinary institution devoted to the study of all aspects of conflict and international relations. It is an acknowledged leader in teaching and research within its specialised areas and received the highest possible ratings in successive Research Assessment and Teaching Quality Assessment Exercises.

This programme provides you with a structured pathway into your chosen MA and aims to:

• Provide you with the range of language and academic skills required for successful MA study in the Department of War Studies.
• Allow you to master your chosen subject at a more measured pace and do full justice to your intellect and experience.
• Provide you with the opportunity to focus on your chosen academic field and to ensure that support mechanisms enhance your engagement with this field and develop your capacity to engage in critical analysis.
• Provide you with a broad and critical understanding of a range of War Studies and Security Policy issues, one of which you will be able to research in depth.
• Provide you with clear routes into designated MA programmes

All students accepted onto the Graduate Diploma programme can progress onto a wide range of MA programmes at King’s College. The MAs available will appeal to students with a scientific or professional background, as well as those from the social sciences. MA programmes available include:
  

• MA Public Policy
• MA War Studies
• MA Intelligence & International Security
• MA Conflict, Security & Development
• MA International Conflict Studies
• MA International Relations
• MA History of Warfare
• MA Science & Security
• MA Non-Proliferation & International Security

 
Please note that you must indicate which MA you wish to follow in your application. All successful students then progress onto their chosen MA.

You will take the following three compulsory modules:
 
War Studies & Security Policy
 
This module introduces you to the academic study of warfare and security policy from a variety of different perspectives, including military history, strategic theory, policy analysis, international relations, intelligence, peace studies, development studies, literary and philosophical approaches and scientific viewpoints. As well as encouraging a broad understanding of these very diverse approaches to the central themes of warfare and security policy, the module helps you to foster and develop critical thinking and debate in line with Western academic tradition.

Teaching takes the form of weekly lectures across all 3 terms, accompanied by extensive seminar discussions and integrated study skills support.

Individual Research Project
 
This module allows you to research a topic of your choice within the field of your specialist MA, and to present your findings within an extended essay. You will receive generic classes in associated research skills such as interview techniques, as well as individual supervision by an appropriate academic from the War Studies Department. There will also be dedicated English language and skills support, and the projects will be used as the vehicle for formal oral presentations to improve your ability and confidence in this area.

The module allows you to tailor the programme to your individual specialisms and provides invaluable experience that will assist you with the research and writing of your MA dissertation.

Academic English & Study Skills

The aim of this module is to improve your communicative English ability in an academic setting. You will practise and develop your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills as well as improving your grammar, vocabulary knowledge and pronunciation. This module will concentrate on the following specific areas:
 

• Listening & note-taking skills
• Reading academic texts effectively
• Research & critical thinking skills
• Essay & report writing
• Discussion & presentation skills
• Self-study techniques

You will receive individual academic support and counselling through our personal tutorial system. This is a one-to-one weekly meeting between yourself and your academic English tutor. It is an opportunity for you to talk about the course, the progress you are making and any difficulties you are facing. These tutorials also give you the opportunity to receive individual feedback and advice on your language and study skills.

The overall programme gives you 120 credits. The War Studies & Security Policy module is the principal element and is worth 60 credits. The Individual Research Project and Academic English & Study Skills modules are worth 30 credits each. Modules are assessed through a combination of coursework (50%) and final exams (50%) apart from the Individual Research Project, which is assessed via the submission of an 8,000 word essay and associated presentation.

Applicants must possess a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject from a British or overseas university. Which subjects are appropriate depends on the MA specialisation: see individual programme descriptions for further information. GPA must be above 3.25. You must also provide certification to show that you already possess a minimum standard of English, defined as an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no skill below 6.0) or TOEFL scores of 550 PBT (4.0 TWE)/83 iBT.

Progression to the second year of the programme is not automatic, but depends on you achieving a Merit grade in all your first year assessments as a whole. Successful completion of this programme leads to the award of a Graduate Diploma in War Studies & Academic English, and successful completion of the entire two year programme leads to the award of the appropriate MA degree.

This programme runs from 22nd September 2008 to 12th June 2009 with teaching across three terms.

The fee is £10,950.

You can obtain an application form as well as the latest College and Department of War Studies postgraduate prospectuses from either the ELC or the War Studies Department:
 
Administrative Officer (Masters Programmes)
Department of War Studies
King’s College London
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
 
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 2193
Fax: +44 (0)20 7848 2026
war-masters@kcl.ac.uk