The Royal College of Defence Studies is the senior college of the Defence Academy of the UK. We exist to provide the capstone to the strategic education of those officers of the Armed Forces, and equivalent civil servants, who have the potential to reach the highest ranks and who must therefore understand and be comfortable working at the strategic level in a cross-government and international environment. We do so by providing a globally-respected course in international strategic studies at post-graduate level.
The main features of the RCDS course are:
- One academic year (mid-September to mid-July)
- Optional MA in International Security and Strategy - Accredited by King’s College, London
- Modular – flexibility to meet customer needs
- Some 90 Members, 50 from overseas (military officers, civil servants, diplomats, senior police officers, members of parliament and private sector)
- Representation from every part of the world
- Senior people with broad experience
- International network of senior alumni
- Serious discussion of strategic issues in a trusted and respectful environment