Overview
The MA Peace and Conflict Studies is the flagship programme at Coventry University’s largest research centre, the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations. It aims to provides students with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of issues, theories and practices in peace and conflict, and to develops the ability to apply theory and case studies to peacebuilding in complex situations. The programme is designed to enhance the skills, knowledge and competencies of those working to achieve and strengthen peace around the world.
The MA is studied through blended learning – a mixture of face-to-face and distance study – allowing students to study flexibly around work and personal commitments. We also provide the opportunity to study through our fast-track (APEL*) route which allows students to gain accreditation for their prior experience and learning, including what they have achieved in their careers so far.
Qualifications available:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies (8 months by blended/distance-learning).
- Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies (16 months by blended/distance-learning).
- Full Term MA Peace and Conflict Studies (24 months by blended/distance-learning).
- Fast-Track MA (APEL) Maritime Security (16 months).
*Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is the process by which Coventry University awards credits towards a qualification based on a student’s prior learning and experience in, for example, their career, previous qualifications and other, relevant life experience. For this course, Coventry University is able to award a third of the credits of the qualification based on a student’s reflection on the outcomes of their prior experience and learning, providing a fast-track option and an opportunity to complete a master’s degree in 16 months rather than 2 years. For more information on our APEL route or this course, contact our team on study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk or speak to Heather, our Postgraduate Programmes Manager, on +44 (0) 2477659059.
What our students say...
The workshop allowed me to meet people from different backgrounds, different religions and different ways of knowing conflict… all sharing their life experiences.
Course information
The MA Peace and Conflict studies is the flagship programme at Coventry University’s largest research centre, the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations. The programme builds on the critical history and legacy of Coventry, known worldwide as the City of Peace and Reconciliation and, as such, is underpinned by a commitment to promoting integrity and courage in today’s society.
The programme aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge and an understanding of peace and conflict theories, issues and practices, and to develop the ability to apply theory and case studies to peacebuilding in complex situations. It is designed to enhance the skills, knowledge and competencies of those working to achieve and enhance peace around the world.
As well as being active researchers in this dynamic field, our teaching team has a wealth of experience as practitioners in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Our team works hard to provide a highly interactive and supportive learning environment, focusing on the skills and knowledge that help enhance students’ practice and careers. Building upon their existing experience, this programme aims to equip students to develop key skills and personal attributes for a wide variety of careers, which could include international development, all levels of government, charities and social movements. If you’re looking to study peace and conflict, Coventry University is the place to come.
If you take the full route, the whole course will take two years. If you take the APEL fast track however, you don’t study the PGDip and you start all modules within one 12 month period.
Qualifications available:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies (8 months by blended/distance-learning).
- Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies (16 months by blended/distance-learning).
- Full Term MA Peace and Conflict Studies (24 months by blended/distance-learning).
- Fast-Track MA (APEL) Peace and Conflict Studies (16 months).
Course Specification
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Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
In more detail...
Our MA Peace and Conflict Studies course has a history of successfully attracting senior professionals from leading organisations from around the world (such as the UN) and is designed, led and delivered by some of the leading academics in this field (such published scholars with a long history of exemplary performance in both academia and practice). This course, is sought by peace professionals around the world and is delivered by researchers currently active in the study of peace and conflict. We work hard to provide a supportive, rich learning environment for both face-to-face and distance study. Our courses are informed by our Centre’s research and real-world events and led by a teaching team with a wealth of experience in both the practice, theory and activism that underpin this critical field of study.
Each year our course is filled with students from around the world who bring with them an array of personal and professional experiences in peace, conflict and development. The opportunity to meet and learn with professionals in similar roles but working in very different parts of the world is one of the most important and powerful aspects of our programme.
The MA Peace and Conflict Studies could be a versatile and impressive addition to a professional résumé: a comprehensive understanding of what makes and breaks peace is central to many different fields and careers. The programme aims to prepare people to enter or further careers in fields such as international development, peacebuilding, community development, conflict resolution, work with refugees, migrants and survivors of trauma, countering violent extremism and for positions in international organisations such as the United Nations, local and national government agencies or charities.
- Complete an MA in 16 months with accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL). For those with 5 years+ working experience, you could gain one-third of your Master’s degree credits in recognition of what you’ve already achieved, through our APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) route.
- Complete a Postgraduate Certificate in 8 months. Our course can be studied at Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Level, with the opportunity to stop, pause or progress between stages. Whilst most complete a full Master’s degree with us, many students choose to pause after the first or second stage, graduating and continuing their careers with ‘PGCert’ or ‘PGDip’ after their name.
- Study wherever you are, whilst working. We provide the flexibility of studying online and through short residential workshops where you can meet, network and learn with peers in a diverse range of roles around the world.
- An international network of professionals. Access to a network of practitioners working in roles related to peacebuilding internationally, as well as the large team of researchers and practitioners working in the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations.
- A distinctive, international course led by world-leading experts. The content and mode of delivery on this course is very different to the other courses we know of, Coventry University takes a firm stance on peace studies being an activist discipline which looks more holistically at peace, and we aim to pioneer a shift in the way peace and conflict are studied, away from the traditional school which look much more narrowly at the subject. Delivered by active international researchers. Our courses are global, from the content of the programme and the staff leading them, to the diverse backgrounds of our participants.
- Inspired by our city. Our courses are founded in and inspired by the heritage of Coventry, the UK’s City of Peace and Reconciliation. Further, our courses are developed by Coventry University, ranked 15th in the Guardian’s University Guide (2017) and Times Modern University of the Year 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Starting in September each year our courses are designed to be studied by ‘blended learning’ – a mixture of distance and face-to-face study.
You will be well supported throughout your studies with a range of support, services and guidance to help you get the most out of your programme.
Students are provided with a range of pre-enrolment materials to better prepare them for their studies. Online modules are provided through the virtual learning environment (Moodle) to facilitate communication between staff and students, and between students. You will have access to Coventry University’s library, including its digital resources and library support for distance learners.
Extensive coursework feedback and support from the programme team will be provided. CTPSR has a team of PGT (Postgraduate Teaching) Ambassadors who provide pastoral and academic skills support. For those writing a dissertation, a supervisor will be allocated who has appropriate knowledge, experience and expertise in your chosen topic of study.
At each stage of the programme you will have the opportunity to attend a short residential workshop to deliver the core learning of one module. These workshops are covered in the course fees. At the start of your study, our first workshop provides the core learning on the Peace, Conflict and Security in the 21st Century module.
At PG Diploma stage, a second workshop allows you to develop a project or intervention appropriate to conflict- or disaster-affected situations as part of the ‘Project Design and Planning’ module. A final research design workshop is provided to prepare students for their dissertation. These workshops are covered in the course fees (an accommodation bursary is provided for those attending each workshop. However students are required to pay their own travel expenses).
Whilst not mandatory, attendance at the workshops is strongly advised as they provide a chance to hone your practical skills, network with professionals from across our postgraduate courses and meet our wider Centre team including leading academics, our PhD community and alumni network.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
What our students say...
Although it’s distance learning, the course was delivered in such a way that I felt connected to the Centre, it was thought-provoking and participatory.
Entry Requirements
What our students say...
The workshop allowed me to meet people from different backgrounds, different religions and different ways of knowing conflict… all sharing their life experiences.
Fees by award
- Postgraduate Certificate - £2,633
- Postgraduate Diploma - £5,266
- Masters - £7,900
Ferguson Trust Scholarship
Ferguson Trust Scholarships are made available through the generosity of The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust to support students wishing to pursue our Peace and Conflict Studies and Maritime Security academic streams. The scholarships are designed for candidates that are resident in or have recently been resident in low-income countries and lower middle-income countries for at least 3 years within the last 10 years, which, ordinarily, are conflict-affected. We apologise to everyone from the EU, Japan, USA and areas with comparable incomes, we are not allowed to offer these scholarships no matter how strong your application. Please see the World Bank's country and lending page for a definitive list of low-income countries and lower middle-income countries.
The competition for funding is intense and the applications are of a very high standard, prior to applying for a scholarship please ensure you have a formal offer letter.
After checking your eligibility you should refer to the scholarship terms & conditions (to be available here in due course), complete the application form with great care and return this to study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk. The deadline for applications this year is 28th July 2019.
Please note any incomplete applications and late submissions will not be considered. The awarding panel is situated within the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations and will assess all application on their individual merit (academic ability/ work experience and financial circumstances).
Allocation will be decided on assessment of the following:
- A complete scholarship application form including a detailed statement of support which should not exceed 500 words. In this form you should demonstrate your capacity and commitment to undertake and complete the programme and explain how the programme is aligned to your future aspirations and how it will benefit your professional development.
- Your contribution towards your tuition fees
Career prospects
The MA in Peace and Conflict Studies is taught by experts in the broad field of peace and conflict studies and is informed by their research, practice and activism. As such, the programme is able to provide a deeper insight into both theoretical and practical perspectives of the contemporary peacebuilding challenges.
Further to this, the course ultimately seeks to create a learning community, where ideas can be interchanged and debated amongst academic staff, alumni, and current students, lasting well beyond the timespan of the academic programme itself.
If you are already a practitioner, you will have the opportunity to broaden your professional network, which is very likely to be useful to you in the workplace, whilst also gaining a formal accredited postgraduate qualification, which may be required for further progression in your career. If you are an individual with an interest in peace and conflict, this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter into jobs within a broad spectrum of organisations, including: international non-government organisations, multi-national government organisations like the United Nations, regional communities such as the European Union or the Economic Community of West African States, faith group organisations, community organisations, the private sector, think tanks, and indeed also academia.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the University. A copy of the 19/20 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the University will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the webpage and in the prospectus will apply. If the duration of the course is longer than one academic year, the University may increase the fee for each subsequent year of study but any such increases will be no more than inflation.
