Estudios de Paz

Utrecht University

Conflict Studies and Human Rights: how do international paramilitary groups, like Wagner, affect armed conflicts? How do new technologies, such as drones and artificial intelligence affect the dynamics of armed conflict and war? Why are the cycles of police violence and urban uprisings recurring in the French banlieues? Why did MINUSMA, the UN mission in Mali, decide to leave and why is it so hard to end the armed conflicts in this country? Does climate change lead to new types of armed conflict? In our MA programme in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, we delve into these pressing questions and more.

University of Coimbra

Peace, Security and Development Studies: the objectives of this Master’s programme include: providing advanced training in the field of International Relations, focusing on issues of peace and security, development and humanitarianism; responding to the demands of a qualification that combines the deepening of conceptual and theoretical knowledge in these areas with the creation of advanced methodological and conceptual skills in these same areas of study. This approach aims at capitalising on the fields of scientific expertise of the teaching staff in IR as well as at benefiting from the interdisciplinary intellectual and academic environment at the School of Economics. A training of excellence in IR is a priority of this cycle of studies, building capacity and skills in various areas, promoting students’ insertion in the labour market, and stimulating their internationalisation through mobility programmes at the European level and beyond.

Lancaster University

Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies: This programme is designed to critically examine the theoretical and methodological issues surrounding the dynamics of peace and conflict in the contemporary world. You will have the opportunity to engage with the work of peace and conflict studies scholars, at both conceptual and empirical levels, and to draw on evidence from a range of recent armed conflicts.

Leeds Beckett University

Peace and Development: address the global challenges of poverty and violence by linking theory and practice and make a positive difference to the lives of people around the world. This is your opportunity to develop your awareness of the relationships between peace, conflict resolution and development both nationally and internationally. You will consider issues such as gender, poverty, employment, human rights and the role of civil society and community participation in decision-making and governance. From security threats and terrorism to the arms trade and non-violent social movements, you will acquire an in-depth insight into contemporary global issues. You will study the political, economic, cultural, environmental and technological changes that influence development decisions. We place a real emphasis on international debate and your teaching will be delivered in small groups involving students from around the world, giving you access to a range of cultural perspectives to inform your learning. We will also provide you with skills in project management and you will learn how to draw up funding applications, competencies essential for working in the field.

SOAS University of London

Humanitarianism, Aid & Conflict: The MSc Humanitarianism, Aid and Conflict builds on the strength of existing expertise in violence, conflict and global development within the Department of Development Studies and SOAS in general. The programme is designed to provide you with analytical training and an in-depth understanding of the challenges of contemporary humanitarian aid, its interaction with conflict and development and new directions in the field. The programme presents students with comprehensive knowledge of the history of the architecture of aid in humanitarian contexts, key local, regional and international actors, and engages with theoretical, conceptual and policy debates relating to the political and logistical challenges of the global responses to conflict, natural disasters and complex emergencies, the diverse range of critiques that have been made of it, emerging innovations, context-specific challenges and agendas from the Global South.

 Violence, Conflict & Development: This programme examines the analytical, political and policy relationships between violence, conflict and development. The core module addresses empirical trends, difficulties of data collection and the importance of categorisation and boundaries to matters of violence. It goes on to present foundational theories on conflict and violence, including gender perspectives, debates about the origins of human violence (anthropological, historical, psychological sources of violence) and the role of violence in historical change. The focus then shifts to the means, mechanisms and markers of violence, including themes related to boundaries, war economies, inequality, land and the environment. This provides the basis for analysing interventions in the violent conflict including humanitarian aid, conflict resolution and reconstruction. 

Politics of Conflict, Rights & Justice: The programme is designed for Masters students who are interested in the politics of human rights, humanitarianism and international and transitional justice especially in conflict and post-conflict states. It is also highly relevant to anyone working or intending to work in international NGOs, international organizations, think tanks and advocacy groups in the areas of rights, humanitarian assistance and transitional justice. It also looks more broadly at the future of global human rights in a world where, many claim, the influence of the West is declining and asks critical questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of transitional justice mechanisms and humanitarian intervention. Students on this programme are able to participate in all of the activities of the Centre on Conflict, Rights and Justice – including closed and public seminars, workshops, expert briefings and professional training, a student-led blog, regular social events and the Centre’s internship scheme (for a small group selected through a competitive application process).

The University of Manchester

MA Peace and Conflict Studies: This interdisciplinary MA explores the processes through which actors have attempted to define and build peace in areas affected by war and violence, particularly since the end of the Cold War. Drawing on expertise from the fields of politics, history, anthropology and the arts, this newly revamped course will offer you the opportunity to engage with conflict management, conflict resolution, conflict transformation, peacebuilding and statebuilding theories and practices. Moreover, the programme will critically address the conceptualization of peace and the implementation of peacebuilding projects by global, regional, national and local actors, including the UN, the International Financial Institutions, development agencies and donors, INGOs, and local organisations in conflict-affected environments. In particular, it will focus on social agency for peace, the question of the nature of the `peaceful state', and the ever-fraught question of the reform of the international system.

University of Bradford

Advanced Practice in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution: The MA Advanced Practice in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution is offered by the internationally recognised Department of Peace Studies and International Development, drawing on over 40 years of experience as a leading centre of peace research and education. The programme will develop your understanding of the causes and dynamics of social conflict, with a strong focus on case-study analysis. It will allow you to develop informed judgements about when and how to engage constructively with conflict, recognising the strengths and limitations of different approaches to intervention. And you will consider critical questions surrounding and problematising efforts to build peace in different contexts, and in the light of contemporary trends, including converging environmental, economic and political developments. Through a diverse programme of study, including a significant applied, practical element, you will develop and demonstrate knowledge and recognised competencies essential to effective, ethically-aware practice within conflict engagement and peace practice - locally, nationally or internationally.

Peace, Conflict and Development: The MA in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies provides an advanced understanding of the inter-relationships between conflict, development, security, and governance in developing, fragile, transitional and/or conflict affected regions and countries. You’ll gain the understanding and skills you need to pursue or develop a career in what is now a major area for international, national and local policy and practitioner communities. You’ll be equipped to work across many sectors including

Peace, Resilience and Social Justice: Our MA in Peace, Resilience and Social Justice is designed for those seeking an advanced understanding of the intersecting crises of climate change/ecological degradation, inequality and injustice, conflict and violence. The programme critically examines how different actors are responding to these challenges, including efforts to rethink the assumptions and practices that shape our ways of life, public engagement, contentious collective action and practical efforts to design and create more resilient, sustainable and equitable communities.

University of St Andrews

Peacebuilding and Mediation: Peacebuilding and Mediation critically explores the relationship between formal and official peacebuilding and mediation initiatives and informal, unofficial, and community-based efforts.

University of Belgrade

Peace Studies: the Regional Master’s Program in Peace Studies is an advanced inter-disciplinary program designed for both students and practitioners, offering an expertise in several specialized fields, including Conflict Resolution and Peace and Development.

Linnaeus University

Peace and Development Programme: the Peace and Development Programme provides you with comprehensive knowledge within the areas of conflict transformation, peacebuilding, development work and international development cooperation. You also gain knowledge about the connection to human rights and security issues. By combining theory with experiences from practice abroad, you will be able to work in a wide range of organisations, both in Sweden and abroad. The language of teaching is English, and the programme offers cross-cultural perspectives and experiences.