School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries

BA (Hons) War Studies

BA (Hons) Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

The War Studies degree will provide graduates with knowledge of the debates and developments related to war; its causes, uses and how it may be avoided or concluded.  

The War Studies degree will provide graduates with knowledge of the debates and developments related to war; its causes, uses and how it may be avoided or concluded.  

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
LV93
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years),Part-time (6 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

The War Studies degree will provide graduates with knowledge of the debates and developments related to war; its causes, uses and how it may be avoided or concluded. Our graduates will be equipped to develop and sustain debates on the strategic, ethical and philosophical uses of war in both historical and contemporary settings. 

As well as subject-specific knowledge, graduates will develop a wide range of key transferable skills including enhanced communication, analytical and technological proficiency. The degree encourages individuals to become digitally literate and intellectually curious, with the capacity to work both independently and as part of a wider team to understand, develop and apply solutions to both theoretical and practical problems.  Such skills equip our graduates to use their knowledge in enterprising and profitable ways in their chosen careers and develop their roles within the wider community.    

 

What's unique about this course?

  • On the undergraduate War Studies degree, you will be taught by recognised experts with a proven and respected research and publications record.
  • Within the War Studies degree you will examine the subject in breadth and depth under the direction of research active, internationally recognised scholars.
  • This course offers the opportunity of many field trips including the place of the Normandy landing. 
  • Ranked in the UK's top 30 War Studies courses by the Guardian 2026 University League Tables.

 

 

What happens on the course?

This course is currently subject to revalidation in February 2026.

War and conflict have been a constant and constantly disruptive feature of human activity. Within the War Studies degree you will examine the subject in breadth and depth under the direction of research active, internationally recognised scholars.

The course will provide you with knowledge of the debates and developments related to war; its causes, uses and how it may be avoided or concluded. You will be equipped to develop and sustain debates on the strategic, ethical and philosophical uses of war in both historical and contemporary settings.

As well as subject-specific knowledge, you will develop a wide range of key transferable skills including enhanced communication, analytical and technological proficiency. The degree encourages individuals to become digitally literate and intellectually curious, with the capacity to work both independently and as part of a wider team to understand, develop and apply solutions to both theoretical and practical problems. Such skills equip you to use your knowledge in enterprising and profitable ways in your chosen careers and develop your roles within the wider community.

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement. Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Potential Career Paths

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

On the undergraduate War Studies degree, you will be taught by recognised experts with a proven and respected research and publications record. You will benefit from an innovative and evolving curriculum which will develop your skills in critical analysis, debate, reasoning and composition. You can also visit the landmark of the famous "Battle of Normandy" on our annual field trip.

As a graduate of this course you will:

  1. Have an awareness and understanding of the strategic, ethical and philosophical theories underpinning the subject
  2. Have an understanding of the varieties of approaches to analysing the concept of war and war’s implications
  3. Be familiar with a variety of war-related case studies
  4. Be able to address historical and contemporary problems in-depth using primary and secondary sources
  5. Be able to analyse and critique information and apply knowledge in an enterprising way
  6. Have enhanced levels of digital literacy.

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Jan intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £9535 per year £9535 per year 2025-26
Home Part-time £4768 per year# £4768 per year 2025-26
International Full-time £15995 per year £16950 per year 2025-26

Additional Course Costs

Additional Field Trips: Small contribution for field trips may be requested.
Further information on these additional costs will be provided during your studies.

Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Typical entry requirement: 96 UCAS points

  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM
  • BTEC L3 Diploma - grades DD
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of C in Core.
  • Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

    Other Requirements

    Students must usually have studied for a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, we will consider applications from mature students who do not have two years of post-16 study, where they have relevant work experience. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

 

 

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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How we compare

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

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