How long does the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies take?

The MA in Conflict and Peace Studies runs one year full-time or two years part-time on-campus, online and by distance learning. Every MA in Conflict and Peace Studies cohort shares the same weekly seminar timetable.

How is the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies delivered?

The MA in Conflict and Peace Studies is taught on-campus in central London, online in live seminars, and by distance learning. Dissertation supervision is one-to-one across all three modes.

Is the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies recognised in the UK?

Yes. The MA in Conflict and Peace Studies is a UK Level 7 Master's award aligned with BISA, ODI and Chatham House coverage.

What are the entry requirements for the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies?

A UK Bachelor's degree at 2:2 or above (or equivalent), plus IELTS 6.5 for non-native English speakers. Senior professionals without a first degree can enter the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies on portfolio.

What does the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies cost and is funding available?

Fees for the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies vary by study mode and cohort intake. LSLPE admissions publishes the current schedule and advises on employer sponsorship and instalment plans.

MA in Conflict and Peace Studies | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA in Conflict and Peace Studies at LSLPE is a UK Level 7 postgraduate programme running one year full-time or two years part-time across on-campus, online and distance routes. Content is calibrated to the analytical and programme work behind mediation, stabilisation and post-conflict reconstruction, drawing on Chatham House programme work, IISS coverage of conflict and ODI-adjacent research on fragile states.

By graduation you are producing structured conflict assessments, drafting mediation and stabilisation programme designs, presenting to a seminar in the select-committee tradition, and delivering an original dissertation supervised by an academic or a practising peacebuilding analyst.

Key Features

Content aligned with British International Studies Association (BISA) senior-track coverage of conflict and peace studies.
Themes aligned with International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and Chatham House programme areas.
Aligned with Overseas Development Institute (ODI) coverage of fragile states.
Aligned with United Nations Association UK coverage of the UN peace architecture.
Dissertation supervision by academics and practising peacebuilding analysts.
Distance and online cohorts follow the same weekly seminar timetable as on-campus students.

What You Will Learn

The main analytical traditions in conflict and peace studies.
Conflict assessment methodology for a policy audience.
Mediation and negotiation method.
Post-conflict reconstruction and transitional justice.
Peacebuilding programme design and evaluation.
Comparative case work across current and recent conflicts.
Ethics and safeguarding in peacebuilding programming.
Research method design for a Master's-level dissertation.

Who This Course Is For

Officers, analysts and programme staff moving into senior peacebuilding roles.
Graduates of a Bachelor's in politics, international relations or development taking a specialist Master's.
International applicants seeking a UK Level 7 conflict and peace credential.
Working professionals in NGOs, multilaterals and the UN system.
Career changers moving from defence, journalism or corporate risk into peacebuilding.

Career Pathways

Peacebuilding Programme Manager in an NGO or multilateral
Political Analyst on conflict-affected desks
Development Analyst in a stabilisation programme
Human Rights Officer on conflict-adjacent work
International Affairs Officer at the UN
Strategic Intelligence Analyst on conflict portfolios
Foreign Policy Adviser on conflict briefs
International Development Officer on fragile states

The LSLPE careers service maintains standing relationships with peacebuilding NGOs, ODI-adjacent teams and multilateral bodies, and refreshes content annually against BISA and ODI-aligned coverage.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent international qualification in politics, international relations, development or a cognate discipline.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Applicants without a Bachelor's degree but with 5+ years of senior professional experience in peacebuilding, defence or development are considered on portfolio.
One academic and one professional reference.
A 500-word research proposal or professional practice statement.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE teaches conflict and peace studies from central London, within a short tube ride of the FCDO, Chatham House, ODI and international NGOs. Every intake, on-campus or remote, joins the same weekly seminar structure with named programme-tutor support, run in the case-room and select-committee tradition.

Three parallel study modes let progressors, working practitioners and portfolio-route applicants complete the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies without leaving employment, and the LSLPE careers service maintains standing relationships with peacebuilding NGOs and multilateral bodies.

Apply for MA in Conflict and Peace Studies

The MA in Conflict and Peace Studies is a senior UK credential for analysts, programme staff and policy advisers working on conflict-affected settings. Enrol on an LSLPE Master's programme — dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising barristers, policy advisers and City economists. Enrol Now