Non-Proliferation & International Security

Examines the causes, processes and effects of weapons proliferation, the evolution and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime and the way in which proliferation influences other issues in international relations. This programme utilises knowledge and tools of analysis from history, political science, the hard sciences, philosophy and sociology.

Watch the video here, or access the 'interactive' tab to view at a larger size and see any alternative films playOverviewVideo('/prospectus/images/home.jpg','http://podcast.ulcc.ac.uk/accounts/kings/KCL_Marketing/War_Studies.flv','true','details_22'); KEY BENEFITS

• Drawing on the strengths of the Department of War Studies, this programme is multidisciplinary, utilising knowledge and tools of analysis from history, political science, the hard sciences, philosophy and sociology.
• Through guest speakers and when possible, field trips, the programme also draws on the broad range of expertise available in government and the NGO community.
• The Centre for Science and Security Studies, located within the Department of War Studies, provides a vibrant home for the MA, with its own speaker series and a growing cadre of PhD students and researchers. When possible, the Centre also offers internships on current research projects; students are also encouraged to apply for internships at other London-based institutions working in the field, such as the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) and IISS.
• The Department has an excellent reputation as a graduate training institution and is recognised by the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research council as a training institution for War Studies.
• The Department places great emphasis on recruiting leading experts who bring with them not only a wealth of knowledge and ideas but an extensive and continually growing network of links with other departments, think-tanks, organisations, policy-making bodies and institutions.

PURPOSEThis programme is for graduates and professionals with an interest in understanding the causes, processes and effects of weapons proliferation, the evolution and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime, and the way in which proliferation influences other key issues in international relations.

DESCRIPTIONThe development and spread of weapons technology has always been of central importance in international relations, and it remains so in today's world with growing concern about the spread of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and their means of delivery to both state and non-state actors. The MA programme enables students to examine the causes, processes and effects of weapons proliferation, the evolution and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation regime, and the way in which proliferation influences other key issues in international relations, including the causes of war and peace, military doctrine and strategy, and the rise (and possible decline) of the state as the central actor in international relations. Core module plus choice of options and a dissertation. Ideal base for further academic or policy research.

• Drawing on the strengths of the Department of War Studies, this programme is multidisciplinary, utilising knowledge and tools of analysis from history, political science, the hard sciences, philosophy and sociology.
• Through guest speakers and when possible, field trips, the programme also draws on the broad range of expertise available in government and the NGO community.
• The Centre for Science and Security Studies, located within the Department of War Studies, provides a vibrant home for the MA, with its own speaker series and a growing cadre of PhD students and researchers.
• When possible, the Centre also offers internships on current research projects; students are also encouraged to apply for internships at other London-based institutions working in the field, such as the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) and IISS.
• The Department has an excellent reputation as a graduate training institution and is recognised by the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research council as a training institution for War Studies.
• The Department places great emphasis on recruiting leading experts who bring with them not only a wealth of knowledge and ideas but an extensive and continually growing network of links with other departments, think-tanks, organisations, policy-making bodies and institutions.

The MA programme is designed as a one year full-time, or two year part-time taught programme which offers students the opportunity to engage critically with ideas in international relations and social and political thought concerned with the study of conflict and peace and their applications to empirical case-study material. The compulsory module applies these ideas to the issue of proliferation. The various options available will allow students to broaden their programme of study by taking other contemporary or historical options offered by the department, or to focus on proliferation by taking specialised options that are being developed.