Advanced Diploma in Conflict and Peace Studies
Course Overview
The Advanced Diploma in Conflict and Peace Studies is a UK Level 5 senior-track qualification running 12 to 15 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. The programme trains students in conflict analysis, peace-building and post-conflict transition work, drawing on academic and practitioner literatures from UN peace operations to civil society peace-building. The syllabus is aligned with themes referenced by the British International Studies Association, Chatham House and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
By graduation you will have produced conflict analyses on specific cases, drafted peace-building programme designs, prepared strategic briefings on transition risks, and completed a capstone project on a live conflict or peace question. Credit transfer into a UK Bachelor's top-up is confirmed in writing at enrolment.
Key Features
- UK Level 5 credential aligned with BISA and IISS themes.
- Applied conflict analysis training using published UN and NGO frameworks.
- Case-room seminars on live and historical case studies.
- Guest sessions from Chatham House and IISS-adjacent practitioners.
- Capstone project supervised by a tutor with active conflict-studies profile.
- Credit transfer into LSLPE Bachelor's top-up routes confirmed at enrolment.
- Careers-service introductions to NGOs, Whitehall and multilateral bodies.
What You Will Learn
- Theories of civil and interstate conflict.
- Conflict analysis frameworks used by NGOs and UN system.
- Peace-building programme design principles.
- Peacekeeping mandates and their operational context.
- Post-conflict transition and security sector reform.
- Reading IISS, Chatham House and USIP outputs.
- Drafting strategic risk briefings on transition contexts.
- Producing an evidence-led conflict and peace capstone.
Who This Course Is For
- Progressors from a Level 4 Diploma toward a UK Bachelor's top-up.
- NGO staff working in fragile or post-conflict contexts.
- Working professionals in defence policy or humanitarian roles.
- International applicants planning careers in peace-building.
- Journalism and communications professionals covering conflict.
Career Pathways
- Defence Policy Analyst in a think tank.
- NGO Programme Officer in fragile-state contexts.
- Development Diplomat on peace-building files.
- International Relations Analyst on strategic risk.
- Political Analyst on conflict portfolios.
- Programme Manager at a peace-building NGO.
- Strategic Intelligence Analyst.
The LSLPE careers service coordinates introductions with NGOs, defence-adjacent think tanks and multilateral bodies and runs at least one careers day each academic year.
Entry Requirements
- A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Foundation Year, or at least two years of relevant experience in international relations, humanitarian work or defence policy.
- GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C or equivalent.
- IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
- One academic or professional reference.
- Applicants with programme, research or field portfolios are encouraged to include them.
Why Study at LSLPE
The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches in small, tutor-visible cohorts and reads law, politics and economics as three interlocking disciplines. Central London gives Advanced Diploma students access to Chatham House, the IISS and the LSE-adjacent conflict-studies ecosystem within a short tube ride of every classroom.
Every intake shares the same weekly seminar structure, and the careers service refreshes curriculum alignment annually against BISA and Political Studies Association guidance.
Apply for Advanced Diploma in Conflict and Peace Studies
Applications for the Advanced Diploma in Conflict and Peace Studies are reviewed on a rolling basis. Enrol on a UK Level 5 Advanced Diploma at LSLPE, credit transfer into Bachelor top-ups confirmed in writing at enrolment. Enrol Now.
