MA Conflict Resolution

We’re world leaders in political science, asking difficult questions to find important answers. How do you put an end to armed conflict? What are the benefits and consequences of intervention? What role do non-governmental organisations play in the prevention and resolution of conflict? Is immigration linked to terrorism? Does climate change affect transnational migration patterns?

Our course helps you understand the evolving field of conflict resolution, exploring the causes and effects of destructive conflict across the world, and scrutinising the theory and practice of how it can be managed peacefully. You don’t need a statistical background to study this course – we’ll introduce you to research methods and teach you how use them throughout your studies. Our MSc Conflict Resolution is ideal if you have a statistical background and want to learn advanced quantitative skills.

You have access to leading conflict resolution experts in our Michael Nicholson Centre for Conflict and Cooperationand the opportunity to collaborate on research. We also host popular talks with our experts, and with prestigious external speakers, helping you develop a deeper knowledge of conflict resolution.

We provide you with a framework for understanding conflict resolution in inter- and intra-state issues, focusing on topics including:

• Mediation, negotiation, and collaborative problem solving
• Using conflict data sets and drawing geographical maps
• International development and human rights
• International relations and security studies
• Global and comparative politics

You have the option of studying an extracurricular module on non-violent movements, offered in collaboration with Slobdan Djinovic and Srdja Popovic of the Centre for Nonviolent Action and Strategies in Belgrade. This exciting module, previously offered at many US universities including Colorado College, Harvard University and New York University, has never been offered anywhere else in Europe.

Our dynamic, interdisciplinary approach combines traditional methods with contemporary theory and practices of non-violent movements. We encourage you to experience the practical as well as the theoretical application of these topics through examining real case studies of international conflict.

Our Department of Government is one of the most prestigious in Europe, with an outstanding record of teaching, research and publication. We are rated top in the UK for research (REF 2014), and have consistently been the highest-rated politics department in the country since national assessments began. We’re also ranked among the top 40 departments for Politics in the world (QS World Rankings, 2018).

Our expert staff

Some of the biggest names in the field work at Essex, giving you unparalleled access to some of the best minds in conflict resolution. You benefit from staff expertise in both conflict studies and international relations, with conflict and cooperation forming a core part of our Department of Government.

Our key teaching staff for this course are

• Professor Kristian Gleditsch - named one of the "world's most influential minds" (The Highly Cited Researchers 2014) and a leading expert in conflict resolution.
• Professor Han Dorussen
• Professor Ismene Gizelis
• Dr Tobias Böhmelt
• Dr Anna Getmansky
• Dr Daina Chiba
• Dr Zorzete Bakaki

Specialist facilities

• Access some of the best minds in conflict resolution through our Michael Nicholson Centre for Conflict and Cooperation. It's scientific approach to the study of conflict emphasises rigorous formal theory and the development of systematic data and statistical methods for evaluating theory
• Laboratories of networked computers featuring extensive software for political analysis
• Make use of web-assisted learning, simulations, and challenging role-playing exercises
• ESSEXLab provides opportunities for experimental lab research
• Student societies for politics, debating, and Model UN
• We organise the Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis
• A programme of seminars and events run by the department

Your future

All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world’s leading politics departments.

This course will prepare you for a career in areas such as non-governmental organisations, international and national government, or the private sector.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organisations:

• The Civil Service
• Local government
• The World Bank
• The United Nations
• NATO
• YouGov and YouGov America

We also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil in the following fields: government; ideology and discourse analysis; international relations; political behaviour; and politics.

Our academic reputation is illustrated by the fact that many of our graduates now teach or research at universities, colleges of higher education and schools. For example, recent graduates are now research fellows and academic staff at:

• University of Oxford
• University College London
• Mannheim, Germany
• ETH Zurich, Switzerland
• Duke University, USA
• William Marsh Rice University, USA
• University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

One Masters not enough for you?

We offer a number of postgraduate taught dual awards with our international partners. You work for two Masters degrees, one at Essex and another at a prestigious university across the globe, gaining them both in a shorter time than studying them separately. This unique opportunity gives you a competitive edge when applying for jobs or prepares you for PhD study.

I studied conflict resolution as I experienced the Liberian civil war, and immigrating to Norway as a child, I’ve shaped my view on the world and politics. I know the detrimental effects of war and I wanted to study something that is relatable and important. Our department is one of the best for political research. The research and teaching of academic staff is excellent. They emphasise on skills needed in the workplace and help us be employable. In future, I want to be a diplomat for Norway.

Sarah Sakor, MSc Conflict Resolution.

UK entry requirements

A degree with an overall high 2.2 in Political Science, International Relations, Business - ( finance related), Economics or Statistics.

We will accept applicants with a degree in an unrelated field but you must have studied at least two relevant modules with marks of at least 58% in the final two years of study

Relevant modules include, but are not limited to: Comparative Political Systems, Constitutional Democracy, Contemporary World Affairs, Democratic Theory, Econometrics, European Integration, Foreign Policy, Game Theory, Governmental processes, Human Rights, Ideology & Political Analysis, International Economic Law, International Economic Relations, International Trade/Business Law, International Law, International Public Relations, International Security, Law of Armed Conflict, Micro/Macro Economics, Peace Studies, Political Conflict, Political Decision Making, Political Economy, Political Sociology, Public Administration, Public International Law, Public Policy Analysis, Quantitative reasoning, Strategic Studies, Theories of Development, Current Affairs, Political Economy, Terrorism, Security Studies.

We will also consider applicants with a non relevant degree but at least six months relevant work experience such as working with a NGO.

English language requirements

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Example structure

Most of our courses combine compulsory and optional modules, giving you freedom to pursue your own interests. All of the modules listed below provide an example of what is on offer from the current academic year. Our Programme Specification provides further details of the course structure for the current academic year.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.

See full list of optional modules

Teaching

• Our experts focus on conflicts across the world. Our systematic research of conflict studies is combined with strong regional expertise so you gain an advanced understanding of either the politics of a geographical area or an aspect of the discipline
• This course includes both compulsory and optional modules, so the course can be tailored to fit your interests and aspirations
• Learn through discussion and problem-solving
• Lab sessions allow you to improve your technical research skills
• We encourage students to attend national conferences to meet researchers and discuss their work

Assessment

• Your coursework comes in the form of essays, simulations, presentations and in-class tests

Dissertation

• You are given guidance on how to prepare a Masters dissertation by our Graduate Director in the spring term
• We link you with an appropriate supervisor at the earliest opportunity