Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Peace and Conflict Studies (MA) MA Peace and Conflict Studies Investigate the nature of war and peace Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time School/department Department of Politics and International Relations Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more Develop an in-depth understanding of the nature of contemporary armed conflicts, transitions from war to peace, and challenges of post-war peacebuilding. Why choose Peace and Conflict Studies at York? Explore the context of contemporary armed conflict and war. Gain insight into how peace is forged at local and national levels. You'll develop your understanding of contextual variations and complexities in modern armed conflict.
Key Program Features
Why choose Peace and Conflict Studies at York?
Explore the context of contemporary armed conflict and war. Gain insight into how peace is forged at local and national levels. You'll develop your understanding of contextual variations and complexities in modern armed conflict. In the process, you'll gain a clearer appreciation of the difficulties faced by practitioners and policymakers.
Gain practical experience working on human rights projects. You'll have the chance to undertake a fieldwork placement working with a human rights organisation. You'll develop a practical skill set and conduct research that will inform your dissertation. This is a unique opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of approaches to conflict resolution and peace building in war-affected contexts.
Be supported by internationally-renowned experts. Our staff regularly contribute to news media and advise governments and institutions across the globe. You'll engage with their latest research and benefit from their wealth of experience.
Study what you're passionate about. This course is highly customisable. You'll have access to a wide range of option modules in areas such as security, gender studies, and development. You can tailor your study to focus on the topics that interest you most.
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Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
A York Politics degree is recognised by employers worldwide. Our graduates have gone on to leading roles in governmental and non-governmental organisations and charities, working in areas affected by conflict around the world. Their work spans the post-war recovery spectrum, from organising emergency education provision to overseeing land-mine removal.
Others use the skills they have developed in a broad range of industries from disaster relief to business consultancy. Many go on to further study at York and other leading universities.
Career opportunities
- Political risk analyst
- Civil Service Fast Streamer
- Conflict manager
- Community relations specialist
- Public Relations executive
- Government social research officer
Transferable skills
- Reflective independent learning
- The ability to research, source and examine information thoroughly
- The capacity to critically analyse evidence and construct coherent arguments
- Excellent written and oratory skills
- Intellectual independence and autonomy
- Teamworking skills
- A flexible and open-minded approach to work
Program Curriculum
Course content
You'll study 180 credits in total. The course consists of:
- Two 20-credit core modules
- Four 20-credit option modules
- A 60-credit independent research dissertation or policy report
You'll choose one of three pathways. You will have the option to expand your practical skills through an organised field trip with a project placement in the UK or South Africa in Semester 1. You will also have the opportunity to conduct an independent fieldwork placement (as part of your ISM) in a peace and conflict context in Semester 2.
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules The Causes and Conduct of Conflict The Politics of Peacebuilding Option modules You will study four option modules. Examples can be found below. The Practice of Fieldwork Project Placement Governing for the Environment Leading and Managing Change Justice, Legitimacy and Democracy Conflict and Development Ethics and World Politics New Security Challenges Global Development Politics Principles of Policy Advice Themes and Theories in International Relations Theories and Policies of Development Governance Applying Human Rights Challenges to Policy-making in Democratising Countries Politics of Migration Global Governance Gendering Politics: An Intersectional Approach Africa and International Politics Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy Transitional Justice and Human Rights Women, Citizenship and Conflict Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation During the second semester and vacation you'll consolidate your interests in a dissertation or policy report on a topic of your choice. Your choice of pathway will affect your options for the summer term and vacation. All students have the option of undertaking a dissertation on a topic to be agreed with your tutor. Throughout your independent project, you will have the support of your supervisor. Where possible we'll allocate you someone who is familiar with your chosen topic.
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. We are willing to consider applicants with lower qualifications, particularly if you have high marks in relevant modules and/or appropriate professional experience. Additional information may be requested. |
| International pre-masters programme | Pre-masters from our International Pathway College |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
Contact university
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)