History of War

Overview

The modern world has largely been shaped by centuries of warfare and by the prospect of future wars. Understanding the history of war is, therefore, essential to understanding the world we live in today. You will be studying the many cultural, social, economic, and strategic changes in warfare over time, working with a huge range of some of the world’s leading professional historians within the multi-disciplinary environment of the Department of War Studies and elsewhere in the college.

The Department of War Studies was the first academic department in the world to focus solely on the complexities of conflict and security, and has an unmatchable international reputation. As a multidisciplinary department, in addition to historical subjects, it provides unique opportunities to broaden your study across a range of disciplines, as well as access to research-led teaching in the evolution of war, past present, and future.

The History of War course at King's College London is designed to equip you to progress to doctoral study, though the range of skills that you will gain, preparing you for a career in any number of areas, including education, government, media, publishing, and more.

Key benefits

• An opportunity to study within the unique, multi-disciplinary Department of War Studies, by far the largest and most well-established of its kind, with 60 years of dedicated study to all aspects of human conflict.

• It offers a chance to work with the largest group of professional historians of war in the world. Departmental staff are internationally recognised experts in their areas of specialisation; they are active researchers and routinely use their latest findings in their teaching.

• The programme is suitable for those already developing a specialist knowledge, just beginning their historical studies on the subject of war, or for those returning to history after an unrelated career.

• Your work with detailed, original archives, along with the critical examination of methodological and theoretical issues related to war will equip you with a uniquely wide range of transferable skills, useful in any number of careers. Our graduates demonstrate independent, critical thinking and industry.

• You will have the opportunity to complete a major piece of independent work with the freedom to choose whichever topic interests you most, along with developing your communication skills, both written and oral through presenting it

• There are opportunities to get involved in the activities of the Department and the Sir Michael Howard Centre and associated research groups, such as the Laughton Naval Unit, these include workshops, guest seminars, research conferences and other events.

• You will benefit from the central London location and the ready access to libraries, archives, museums, think tanks, and policy-making bodies.

• You can take advantage of the many eminent historians who frequently come to speak in the department along with other high-profile visitors such as government ministers, ambassadors and generals. 

• Graduates have gone on to enjoy careers in education, government, media, publishing, and more, others have pursued academic research, working in universities, museums, and other types of organisation           

Career prospects

History of War Graduates go on to work for NGOs, the FCO, the MOD, the Home Office, NATO, the UN or pursue careers in academia, journalism, finance, the diplomatic services, the armed forces, education and more.