| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA
Overview
The Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA offers a multidisciplinary, comparative study of national, ethnic and religious conflicts in deeply divided societies. You will learn about topics such as the dynamics of nationalism, sectarianism and identity; the role of civil society in peace processes, truth and reconciliation commissions; and the role of collective memory.
Key Information
- Study mode: Full time, Part time
- Duration: 1 year FT / 2 years PT, September to September
- Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180 / ECTS 90
- Application status: Open
- Start date: September 2025
Course Essentials
The Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA offers a multidisciplinary, comparative study of national, ethnic and religious conflicts in deeply divided societies. You will learn about topics such as the dynamics of nationalism, sectarianism and identity; the role of civil society in peace processes, truth and reconciliation commissions; and the role of collective memory. You will begin with a core module on conflict and coexistence in divided societies, before choosing from a variety of optional modules to tailor your expertise.
Base Campuses
- Strand Campus: Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
- Waterloo Campus: Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Regulating Bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Entry Requirements
UK Applicants
- Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
- Programme-Specific Requirements: Minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree in such an appropriate subject as International Relations, War Studies, History, Political Science, Strategic Studies, Criminology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Theology.
International Applicants
- Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
- English language requirements: English language band B
Selection Process
- Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
- Your application will be assessed by the programme's admissions committee.
Personal Statement and Supporting Information
- Personal Statement: A personal statement is required, explaining your motivation for applying to the MA Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies at King's, and how you believe it will contribute to your own intellectual and professional development.
- Previous Academic Study: A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained.
- References: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Teaching Methods
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Self-Study
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses.
Assessment
- Essays
- Individual & Group Presentations
- Exercises
- Seminar participation
- Exams
- Dissertation
Structure
Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required Modules
- Dissertation (60 Credits)
- Conflict & Coexistence in Divided Societies (45 credits)
Optional Modules
- Culture, Religion and Identity in Contemporary Conflicts (15 credits)
- Divided Cities, Contested States: Urban Violence and Transformation in the Middle East (15 credits)
- Power-Sharing Agreements in Deeply Divided Societies (15 credits)
- Contemporary War & Warfare (30 credits)
- Comparative Civil Wars (30 credits)
- State Failure & State Building (15 credits)
- Transitional Justice & International Criminal Law (15 credits)
- International Politics of the Middle East (30 credits)
- Diplomacy & Foreign Policy (30 Credits)
Employability
Our graduates take the skills that they develop to become leaders in the public and private sectors, academia, government, diplomacy and journalism.
Tuition Fees
UK:
- Full time: £19,550 per year (2025/26)
- Part time: £9,775 per year (2025/26)
International:
- Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26)
- Part time: £17,900 per year (2025/26)
Deposit
- If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place.
- The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
Additional Costs
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
- Library fees and fines.
- Personal photocopies.
- Printing course handouts.
- Society membership fees.
- Stationery.
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
- Graduation costs.
- Non-compulsory field trip fee and associated subsistence costs.
- Non-compulsory travel and subsistence costs for dissertation fieldwork in UK or abroad.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Objectives:
- Equip students with the knowledge and skillset needed to pursue a career in conflict resolution.
- Help students understand how conflict can be resolved peacefully through various tools, including complex constitutional engineering, truth and reconciliation processes, and grassroots movements.
- Enhance knowledge about cases in the Middle East and around the world, bringing to life theoretical literature on causes and consequences of conflict, conflict regulation, and peace processes.
Program Description:
The Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA is designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary and comparative understanding of national, ethnic, and religious conflicts in deeply divided societies. The curriculum explores topics like:
- Dynamics of nationalism, sectarianism, and identity
- Role of civil society in peace processes, truth and reconciliation commissions
- Role of collective memory
Structure:
- The program begins with a core module on conflict and coexistence in divided societies.
- Broader topics: Diplomacy and foreign policy, state failure and state building, transdisciplinary approaches to (in)security.
- Specific themes: Power-sharing agreements, transitional justice and international criminal law, comparative civil laws.
Teaching:
- Case studies on conflicts in Northern Ireland, Syria, Iraq, Bosnia, and Israel-Palestine are used to bring theoretical concepts to life.
Assessment:
- The primary methods of assessment are:
- Essays
- Individual and group presentations
- Seminar participation
- Exams (in some modules)
- dissertation (60% weighting)
- The dissertation module will involve writing a 10,000-12,000-word research paper.
Careers:
- Program graduates have gone on to careers in various sectors, including:
- Public and private sectors
- Academia
- Government
- Diplomacy
- Journalism
- NGOs
- Civil Service
- UN
- Armed Forces
- Media publishing
- Finance and Investment
- Unrivalled collections at the British Library
- Access to policy, academic, and think-tank networks in London
- Opportunity to participate in the King's College London and Sciences PO partnership program, allowing students to study in both London and Paris for two years and earn master's degrees from both institutions.
Overall:
This program offers an in-depth exploration of conflict resolution in divided societies, focusing on theoretical understanding, real-world application through case studies, and diverse career opportunities for graduates. The program's multidisciplinary nature and flexibility in choosing specialization areas cater to students with varied interests and career aspirations within the conflict resolution field.
UK: Full time: £18,258 per year (2024/25) Part time: £9,129 per year (2024/25) International: Full time: £33,258 per year (2024/25) Part time: £16,629 per year (2024/25) These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Deposit Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment. The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000. If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer. If you receive an offer between 16 July and 15 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer. Additional Costs Library fees and fines. Personal photocopies. Printing course handouts. Society membership fees. Stationery. Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses. Graduation costs. Non-compulsory field trip fee and associated subsistence costs. Non-compulsory travel and subsistence costs for dissertation fieldwork in UK or abroad.
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Entry Requirements:
UK applicants:
- Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor's (honours) degree.
- Lower degree classification: Applications with a lower degree classification or a degree in an unrelated subject may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements:
- Minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree: in such an appropriate subject as history, politics, international relations or languages.
- Final mark: at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying, you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
Additional notes:
- Candidates who do not achieve a 2:1 but have professional or voluntary experience will also be considered.
- Mature candidates will be considered favorably.
- English language requirements: To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- English language band: B.
Additional notes:
- Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test.
- This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
