Politics & Contemporary History MA

Key information

Study mode: Full time, Part time Duration: One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180 / ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Key benefits

• Study contemporary history and politics in the heart of London, with unrivalled access to archives and libraries.
• Course tutors include renowned experts in the field of politics and contemporary history.
• You attend regular research seminars in contemporary British history and have full access to other exciting activities, including seminars, conferences and other public events.

Course essentials

This course is primarily taught at King’s College London Strand Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary.

Base campuses

Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Waterloo Campus

Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry requirements

UK applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: 2:1 honours in history, politics or a relevant discipline, eg public policy, law or social science.

International applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band B

Selection process

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.

Personal statement and supporting information

• Personal Statement: Yes, please submit a one-page personal statement with your application, explaining why you wish to apply for this programme and why you feel it matches your interests, academic background and, if relevant, your career plans.
• Previous Academic Study: Yes, a copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained.
• References: Yes, one academic reference is required.
• Other: Optional, applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study

We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.

Module structure

• Per 15-credit module: 20 hours of lectures, seminars and feedback, 130 hours of self-guided learning time
• Dissertation module: A set of dissertation workshops plus one-to-one dissertation consultations, 592 hours self-study and project work

Assessment

Most 15-credit modules are assessed by an essay of between 3500 – 4500 words. However, assessment types and patterns may vary across modules. The dissertation module is assessed by a 15,000-word dissertation.

Structure

Required modules

• From Blair to Brexit: Britain since 1997 (15 credits)
• British Political History since 1945 (15 credits)
• The Evolution of British Government since 1945 (30 credits)
• Contemporary History in Practice (15 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

• Anglo-American Relations Since 1945 (15 credits)
• Media, Elections and Campaigning (15 credits)
• The New Political Economy of the Media (15 credits)
• Business and Politics (15 credits)
• Economic History (15 credits)
• Parties, Voters and Political Culture, (15 credits)
• Democracy in the United Kingdom (15 credits)
• Britain & Europe Since 1945 (15 credits)
• Election Campaigning, Public Opinion & Politics in Britain (15 credits)
• No 10 the Cabinet and UK central government: leadership and coordination (15 credits)
• Constitutional Political Economy (15 credits)
• The Political Effects of Climate Change (15 credits)
• Policymaking in Non-Democracies (15 credits)
• Managing the UK economy: Fiscal and monetary policy since 1945 (15 credits)
• Islam, Politics and Society (15 credits)
• People, Protest and Mobilisation: Exploring Social Movement Theory (15 credits)
• Political Economy of Violence (15 credits)
• Law and Politics of Regulation (15 credits)

Careers

After studying this course you can go on to a career in journalism, the civil service, management consultancy, teaching and research.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK: Full time £13,500 per year (2025/26), Part time £6,750 per year (2025/26)
• International: Full time £30,000 per year (2025/26), Part time £15,000 per year (2025/26)

Deposit

• Home deposit: £500
• International deposit: £2000

Additional Costs

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.