Advanced Practice in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution MA
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | 2023-06-30 |
| 2024-01-23 | - |
| 2024-04-24 | - |
Program Overview
Overview
Are you interested in advancing your knowledge of contemporary conflict studies, and developing the skills and qualities needed for professional conflict and peace practice?
Do you want to spend a year studying in a stimulating academic environment, working with staff who are at the forefront of their field and with students from all over the world?
Are you looking for a challenging learning experience, solving real-world problems, addressing complex ethical dilemmas, undertaking independent research projects, and practicing advanced skills for conflict engagement?
Would you like to build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your achievement of a set of professional competencies relevant to employment in the peace, conflict and development fields?
The MA Advanced Practice in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution is offered by the internationally recognised Department of Peace Studies and International Development, drawing on over 40 years of experience as a leading centre of peace research and education.
The programme will develop your understanding of the causes and dynamics of social conflict, with a strong focus on case-study analysis. It will allow you to develop informed judgements about when and how to engage constructively with conflict, recognising the strengths and limitations of different approaches to intervention. And you will consider critical questions surrounding and problematising efforts to build peace in different contexts, and in the light of contemporary trends, including converging environmental, economic and political developments.
Through a diverse programme of study, including a significant applied, practical element, you will develop and demonstrate knowledge and recognised competencies essential to effective, ethically-aware practice within conflict engagement and peace practice - locally, nationally or internationally.
Program Outline
What you will study
All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change.
First year
Core
Applied Conflict Research
Theories and Practices of Conflict Resolution
Creative Practice in Conflict Engagement and Peacebuilding
Option
African Politics and Security Dynamics
Critical Perspectives on Sustainable Development
Security and Development in Fragile and Conflict Affected Areas
Social-Ecological Systems and Crises
Studying Peace in a Changing World
Africa Study Visit
Environment, Trafficking and Crime; Transnational Issues and International Governance
Gender, Conflict and Development
Middle East Politics and Security Dynamics
Natural Resource Governance
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Sustainable Cities
Terrorism and Political Violence
Learning and assessment
We use a range of innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment to enable you to actively engage with the key concepts and syllabus, and to develop not only your academic knowledge and understanding but also your skills and experience for the worlds of policy, practice and employment.
There are opportunities to take specialist pathways, including thematic specialisms, and to specialise in selected regions (e.g. Africa, Middle East), with opportunities for selected study visits. This includes the high profile Africa Study Visit to an African country recovering from conflict (which can be taken as an assessed element of the programme) or other further voluntary study visits to Northern Ireland, Hiroshima or to major locations of International Organisations, such as The Hague, Brussels and London.
You'll also have opportunities to participate in an extended ‘crisis response game’ or the international ‘Model United Nations’ simulation game.
Methods of assessment are varied, and include traditional assignments (essay-type tasks) alongside more competency-based assessment through tasks such as reports, policy briefs, case study analyses, oral and audio-visual presentations, and reflective notes.
The programme culminates with the research and preparation of a Dissertation project on a subject of your choice, related to the programme’s aims and learning objectives. This is a major opportunity for you to produce a substantial scholarly analysis of a specialist area of interest, and to demonstrate an advanced understanding of relevant policy and practitioner agendas and debates - helping you to use this Masters degree to pursue your career aspirations.
Official programme specification
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the
Careers
website.Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
Career prospects
There is an increasing demand for professional education relating to careers in peace and humanitarian work internationally. You’ll develop the skills required by employers in this area, such as conflict analysis, leadership and decision-making, making you highly employable as a graduate.
The programme is also designed to meet the needs and expectations of early/mid-career professionals looking to take the next step in their career.
Our postgraduate politics courses were ranked 2
nd
in the UK for employability in the 2018 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES).University of Bradford
Overview:
The University of Bradford is a public research university located in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It is known for its strong focus on research and its commitment to social mobility. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The university provides a vibrant student life experience with a range of clubs, societies, and events. Students can expect a welcoming and supportive campus environment.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Strong research focus:
The university is recognized for its high-quality research, with 77% of its research impact rated internationally excellent or world-leading.Social mobility:
The University of Bradford is ranked first in England for its impact on social mobility.Value for money:
The university's Distance Learning MBA is ranked the best value for money by the Financial Times.Excellent academic programs:
The university excels in various fields, including Physiotherapy, Forensic Science, and Children's Nursing.Academic Programs:
The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Business:
The University of Bradford's Business School is recognized for its support of firms and students.Nursing:
The university provides financial help for nursing students.Computer Science:
The university has invested £600k in new computer science labs.Other:
The university also offers programs in various other fields, including engineering, law, and the arts.Other:
The university is a member of Yorkshire Universities and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. It has also received the Athena Swan Bronze Award and the Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have an undergraduate qualification at 2:2 or above (or equivalent).
Relevant professional or voluntary experience would be desirable.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0.
If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course.
See the Language Centre for more details
. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicatedinternational entry requirements page
.