Overview

Integrated into the Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding MSc structure are opportunities to develop operational and vocational skills important for peace and conflict mediation and negotiation, and to provide students with knowledge and skills that are helpful for current and future employment opportunities, and thus attractive to both graduates and mid-career practitioners.

Whilst the academic and applied focus of the MSc at Durham University comes through a peace and conflict studies analytic lens, course material will also draw from traditional strategic and security studies, enabling cross fertilisation between these different perspectives so that new paradigms in the fields of conflict, peace, security, defence, diplomacy, development and humanitarian intervention can be explored.

It allows the exploration of unique and new paradigms and practices in the fields of conflict, peace, security, defence, diplomacy, development and humanitarian intervention.

The MSc is designed for practitioners looking to enhance their existing skills, as well as graduates with a career in conflict prevention, conflict mediation, or post-conflict reconstruction in mind. It is particularly aimed at those seeking to work or already working in the (I)NGO sector, governmental departments or inter-governmental organisations.

While rooted in peace and conflict studies, the MSc draws on strategic and security studies as well as development studies, enabling much needed cross-fertilisation between these traditionally divergent perspectives. It draws on real-life case studies as well as interactive role plays, and exposes students to both cutting-edge academic developments and the latest practitioner experience, with a particular focus on bottom-up approaches.

Courses are taught by a mixture of academics and practitioners, and cover both critical and problem-solving approaches. Conflict dynamics are analysed drawing on multiple disciplines, including security studies, peace studies, anthropology, law, archaeology, history and political theory. Modules include both traditional, term-long modules and short, usually more skills-oriented continuing professional development courses as well as fieldtrips (e.g. fieldtrips have been organised to Nepal, Kenya, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Kosovo).