Peace and Conflict Studies PgCert, PGDip, MA
Course Code
AHT033 (MA), AHT034 (PGDip), AHT035 (PGCert)
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Part-time
Distance learning
Duration
8 months (PG Cert)
16 months (PG Dip)
24 months (MA)
Start date
September 2022
Course overview
Study level: Postgraduate
The MA is a distance learning course, allowing you the flexibility to learn about theories and practises surrounding peace and conflict.
Qualifications available:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies (8 months by distance-learning).
- Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies (16 months by distance-learning).
- Full Term MA Peace and Conflict Studies (24 months by distance-learning).
- Fast-Track MA Peace and Conflict Studies (16 months with APEL by distance-learning, omitting the PG Dip stage).

Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
- You can complete an MA in 16 months with accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL1). 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 or a Postgraduate Diploma in 16 months. Our course can be studied at Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master's 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 can provide the flexibility of studying online and through short workshops4 where you can network and learn with peers in a diverse range of roles around the world.
- An international network of professionals. Access to a current network of practitioners2 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. This course views peace studies as an activist discipline, which looks more holistically at peace than other similar courses. Our courses are global, from the content of the programme and the staff leading them, to the diverse backgrounds of our participants.
Accreditation, Professional Recognition and Exemptions
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL1) 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 the Postgraduate Programmes Team at study study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.
What you'll study
The MA in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations is rooted in Coventry’s history as a ‘City of Peace and Reconciliation’. This multidisciplinary programme provides you with the opportunity to learn about the complex nature of peace and conflict in the 21st century. You will be taught how to apply theory and draw on case studies to aid peacebuilding in complex situations. The programme enhances the skills and abilities of people seeking to achieve and strengthen peace in their local communities and around the world.
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.
How you'll learn
The course combines short workshops with interactive online learning, making it perfect for people who need to integrate their studies with family or work commitments.
For online teaching, students use Aula. The design is based on existing social media platforms so it feels familiar, meaning you can quickly and easily find your way around and engage with others. Some of Aula’s benefits include:
- User friendly interface – browse content and module materials on a central newsfeed, where you can share comments or join in conversations. Here, you are only ever one click away from course information and connecting with others
- Engaging – create small working groups or chat privately with peers, friends, lecturers and tutors
- Integrated – interact with existing tools, such as OneDrive, The Big Blue Button and more
- Flexible – take control over when and where you study, with direct online access on laptops, tablets and mobile phone devices
This course is part-time. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please contact the CTPSR Postgraduate Programmes Team at: study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk if you have questions about part-time study and teaching hours.
Teaching contact hours
The number of part-time contact hours and self-directed study hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 hours per week, in total.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Essays
- Group work
- Presentations
- Reports
- Projects
- Coursework
- Individual Assignments
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | Not available | £10,600 (MA) | £7,066 (PG Dip) | £3,533 (PG Cert) in total |
International | Not available | £10,600 (MA) | £7,066 (PG Dip) | £3,533 (PG Cert) in total |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Careers and opportunities
This course equips students who have an interest in peace and conflict with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to work for a broad range of organisations such as:
- 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 groups
- Faith-based organisations
- Community organisations
- The private sector
- Think tanks and academia.
The MA in Peace and Conflict Studies is currently taught by experts in the broad field of peace and conflict studies and is informed by their research, practice and activism. The programme provides students with a deeper insight into theoretical and practical challenges in contemporary peacebuilding.
The course seeks to create a learning community sharing and debating ideas and challenges with academic staff, alumni and current students during the course and long after it has concluded. The course provides practitioners with opportunities to broaden their professional network and draw on the experience of other practitioner students. We consider this to be useful in the workplace and gaining a formally accredited Postgraduate qualification may enhance career progression.
How to apply
-
UK Students
Prior to submitting an application please ensure you have the following supporting documents ready to upload:
- Detailed personal statement
- Academic transcripts and award certificate of your first degree
- English Language Certificate e.g. IELTS
- Reference letter from a current/ former tutor and/ or line manager*
- CV
- Passport copy/scan
- APEL form
*This must be sent directly by the referee to study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.
Part-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
-
International Students
Prior to submitting an application please ensure you have the following supporting documents ready to upload:
- Detailed personal statement
- Academic transcripts and award certificate of your first degree
- English Language Certificate e.g. IELTS
- Reference letter from a current/ former tutor and/ or line manager*
- CV
- Passport copy/scan
- APEL form
*This must be sent directly by the referee to study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.
Part-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimer
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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.