Master's Programme in Peace and Conflict Studies

During the first semester, all students are enrolled in mandatory coursework, including the course "Causes of War" and two courses in methods. The second semester starts with the elective course "International Conflict Resolution" (15 credits), alternatively elective courses of 15 credits at another department, and for the second half of the semester, you choose two out of the various elective courses offered. Note that some courses are offered in parallel in five-week blocks and programme students are guaranteed a place in one course in both of the five-week blocks.

In the third semester, you can choose to do an internship (whole or half semester) or study courses offered by the Department. The elective courses offered in the second and third semesters may vary from year to year.

In the fourth semester, you will enrol in the Master's thesis course, where you write a thesis while learning about the craft of research through lectures, seminars, and supervision sessions.

Courses within the programme

Compulsory courses

• Causes of War, 15 credits
• Methods I, 7.5 credits
• Methods II, 7.5 credits or Methods II Advanced, 7.5 credits
• Master's thesis, 15 credits or Master's thesis, 30 credits

Elective courses (may vary)

• International Conflict Resolution, 15 credits
• War and Development, 7.5 credits
• Social Psychological Foundations of Intergroup Conflict, 7.5 credits
• Non-violent Conflicts: Causes, Strategies and Outcomes, 7.5 credits
• Negotiation and Mediation in Practice, 7.5 credits
• Emerging Security Threats, 7.5 credits
• Gender, War and Peace, 7.5 credits
• Peace from Below, 7.5 credits
• International Interventions and Protection of Civilians, 7.5 credits
• Causes of Peace, 7.5 credits
• Advanced Qualitative Methods, 7.5 credits
• Forecasting Methods and Causal Inference for the Social Sciences, 7.5 credits
• Reviewing a Research Field, 7.5 credits
• Internship in Peace and Conflict, 15 credits, or Internship in Peace and Conflict, 30 credits
• Research Ethics, 7.5 credits
• War and Peace on Film, 7.5 credits
• Nuclear Weapons and Disarmament, 7.5 credits

At the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, the teaching staff goes to great lengths to anchor their teaching in research. In doing so, teaching is of the highest academic quality, while retaining its strong focus on relevant and topical practice-related issues. Much emphasis is placed on deepening your knowledge of research methods and the scientific approach.

You are expected to take greater responsibility for your learning as the programme progresses and to gradually acquire professionally relevant and research-based knowledge and skills. You are encouraged to create and develop both national and international contacts for your future career. Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, extensive readings, seminar discussions, tutorials, and individual oral and written work. Throughout the programme, considerable weight is placed on developing both written and oral presentations.

The progression of the Master's Programme in Peace and Conflict Studies aims to lead to a higher degree of intellectual maturity and deepened insights into the complexities of the subject. This, together with the ability to integrate knowledge and skills and to formulate and solve problems, is evaluated in the Master's thesis. You are expected to have basic knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods upon admission to the programme. For the Master's thesis, more advanced methods skills are required.

The programme is offered in Uppsala and all instruction is in English.

The Master's Programme in Peace and Conflict Studies is a world-leading programme in its field. As a graduate of the programme, you are well prepared for a professional career as an analyst or researcher in the private and public sectors, both nationally and internationally. You gain broad competence in the field with special knowledge of how to moderate conflict and build peace and justice at national and global levels.

Our alumni work at international organisations such as the United Nations and the World Bank, various national ministries and governmental agencies in Sweden and abroad, as well as in various national and international non-governmental organisations. Job titles include:

• Head of Emergency Operations at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC),
• Programme Management Officer, United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Sudan,
• Africa Desk Officer at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
• Program Manager at Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),
• Climate Engagement Lead, Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, USAID,
• Programme Development and Advocacy Manager at Nonviolent Peaceforce, Iraq,
• Associate Protection Officer at UNHCR in Colombia,
• Foreign Policy Officer at New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
• Information Analyst at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

The programme also prepares you for research and teaching and is a qualification when you apply for doctoral studies in Peace and Conflict Studies or International Relations.

Our graduates are completing their PhD studies at, for example, Columbia University in New York, Oxford University in Oxford, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, King's College in London, European University Institute in Florence, and the University of Otago, New Zealand as well as various Swedish universities.

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.