Peace and Conflict Studies University of Aberdeen

Overview

The Peace and Conflict Studies programme at the University of Aberdeen provides students with an advanced understanding of the intellectual terrain surrounding conflict resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding. This degree is designed to familiarise learners with the dynamics of modern peacemaking and the mechanisms that have emerged over the last two decades. Students investigate how state and non-state actors define peace in regions affected by violence.

Why Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Aberdeen?

The University of Aberdeen is home to several prestigious research institutes, including the Institute for Conflict, Transition, and Peace Research and the Centre for Global Security and Governance. The Department of Sociology is recognised as a leading UK centre for research and teaching, ranked 2nd in Scotland by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Students benefit from exceptional expertise in political violence, global sociology, and identity processes.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: GBP 23000 per year
• National fee: GBP 11100 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Qualitative Methods in Social Science
• Peace and Conflict Studies
• Policy Evaluation
• Social Theory
• Globalization
• Sex, Gender, Violence: Critical Approaches
• Quantitative Methods in Social Science
• US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
• Dissertation in Peace and Conflict Studies

Careers with Peace and Conflict Studies

Graduates are equipped with the analytical skills necessary for professional roles in international diplomacy, civil service, and defence. The programme prepares students for careers within international institutions, non-governmental organisations, and research think tanks. Common career paths include roles as political analysts, social researchers, government officers, and public advocacy specialists. It also provides a robust foundation for those pursuing doctoral research in the social sciences.