Defence Studies is designed to offer a path through the study of all aspects relating to defence, by active learning and building knowledge through participation, both individually and in collaboration between students. The MA programme builds on the Advanced Command and Staff Course (ACSC) and comprises a total of 180 credits as follows:

• One 30-credit compulsory module (Strategic Studies)
• One 60-credit compulsory module (Security & Operational Studies)
• One 30-credit option module (Special Subject)
• One 60-credit dissertation core module (Defence Research Paper)

Teaching is presented through a variety of formal lectures and Q&A sessions, syndicate room discussions, and group activities. Assessment is carried out formatively through oral presentations, exercises and simulations, role play and case studies/campaign presentations; and summatively through essays, written examination and a dissertation paper.