MA Modern War Studies and Contemporary Military History

Course Info

Course outline

In a world of uncertainty and rapid change it is more important than ever to study why and how wars are fought. The University of Buckingham has a well-established Master’s degree in Modern War Studies and Contemporary Military History based in London. The one year (two years part time) course* commences in October with a ‘Course Study Day’ followed by ‘Research Skills’ lectures and culminates, after a period of supervised research, with the submission of a dissertation. During their time of study, candidates are encouraged to attend both a series of guest seminars at the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall, at which some of the most eminent names in the field present papers, and course research day at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. This series of talks examines a range of historical subjects as well as those issues affecting modern Defence in all dimensions.

*A six-month long variant of this course is available to all those who have attended the Advanced Command and Staff Course (or its equivalent).

Teaching & Assessment

Quality teaching

We offer high quality, traditional Oxbridge-style teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the UK – who approve and moderate assessed work.

Teaching methods

For Master’s degree candidates, the core of the programme is the writing, under supervision, of the dissertation on a subject chosen by the student in the field of Modern War Studies. Subject to approval by the Course Director, the topic to be examined in the dissertation can address any aspect of warfare since 1945, and the precise topic is usually formulated in a process of discussion with the Course Director and/or the student’s supervisor. The length of the dissertation is normally 25,000 words. Research does not have to be confined to British-related subjects. Some of the themes which students may wish to examine include: political decision making; alliances; warfare and faith; the impact of critical strategic thinkers; intelligence gathering; the impact of technology on the battlefield; the development of doctrine; military-media relations; leadership; command and control; the application of force at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of war on land, sea and air; and the influence of war on non-combatants, politics, society, economies and cultures.

After Your Course

The University’s Course Directors, students’ supervisors, and the Research Officer and Tutor for Graduate Students are available to discuss students’ post-graduation plans and how they may utilise most effectively the skills acquired during their studies.

Students need to have a first or second-class honours degree from a recognised university or, a recognised professional qualification with relevant work experience.