The details

Course: Conflict Resolution

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

We're well-established 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 learn advanced quantitative skills to build upon your statistical background. Consider our MA Conflict Resolution if you don't have a strong background in statistics.

You have access to leading conflict resolution experts in our Michael Nicholson Centre for Conflict and Cooperation and 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

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.

We are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021). We're also Top 10 in the UK for politics and international studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

With this course you also have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions and achieve a dual award, which means you'll receive two Masters degrees in two years. Find out more on our dual award webpage.

Why we're great.

We are 6th in UK for research power in politics and international studies (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).
You have unrivalled one-to-one access to some of the best minds in conflict resolution.
We are the only UK political science department to receive the prestigious Regius Professorship.

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 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

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 work with the University's Careers Services 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 2.2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:

American Studies
Economics
Finance
International Relations
International Studies
Political Science
Political Studies
Statistics
United States Politics

A 2.2 degree in any subject which includes study in two relevant modules. Relevant modules include, but are not limited to:

Comparative Political Systems
Constitutional Democracy
Contemporary World Affairs
Current Affairs
Democratic Theory
Econometrics
European Integration/ Dynamics of Integration
Foreign Policy/ Comparative Foreign Policy
Game Theory
Governmental Processes/ Systems
Human Rights
Ideology and Political Analysis
International Economic Law
International Economic Relations
International Trade/Business Law
International Law
International Public Relations
International Security
International Trade/Business Law
Law of Armed Conflict
Micro/Macro Economics
Peace Studies
Philosophy (MA Political Theory only)
Political Conflict
Political Decision Making
Political Economy
Political Sociology
Political Studies
Public Administration
Public International Law
Public Policy Analysis
Quantitative Reasoning
Security Studies
Strategic Studies
Terrorism
Theories of Development

The following may also be considered:

Applicants with a degree in an unrelated subject and have at least 5 years of work experience, such as working with a NGO, UN, or government. Please provide your CV.
Applicants with a lower class degree where relevant modules have been studied with marks of 2:2 or above.
Applicants who have achieved a first class degree in any subject.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

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.

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

The MSc also contains the GV903 Advanced Research Methods core module. We recommend the MSc to applicants who have already received basic statistical training in their undergraduate course. Choose the (otherwise identical) MA instead if you have not had an introduction to statistics.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

(40 CREDITS)

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

Postgraduate students in the Department of Government generally have a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week or a two-hour seminar (in the case of smaller modules), but there are variations in place depending on the module.

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

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.