University of Bradford

What you'll study

This master's brings together political, sociological and development perspectives on violence, peacebuilding and social change. Core themes include conflict theory and drivers of violent and non-violent contestation, the relationship between development and security, and the practice of peacebuilding and mediation.

• Conflict analysis and theory – concepts and frameworks for understanding causes, dynamics and escalation of conflict at local, national and transnational levels.
• Peacebuilding practice – methods for mediation, dialogue facilitation, community reconciliation and transitional justice approaches.
• Development, humanitarianism and human security – how development policy and humanitarian response interact with conflict settings and livelihoods.
• Research methods – qualitative and quantitative methods, ethical fieldwork, and design of applied research suitable for fragile contexts.
• Specialist options – topics such as gender and conflict, counter-terrorism and human rights, natural resources and conflict, post-conflict reconstruction, or migration and displacement.
• Applied project or dissertation – an extended piece of independent research or an applied consultancy-style project that links theory with practical policy or programme recommendations.

Teaching is typically delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops, case studies and practitioner-led sessions. Many modules emphasise scenario-based learning, policy analysis and research skills to prepare students for work in operational environments.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need an undergraduate degree in a related discipline (for example development studies, politics, international relations, sociology or geography). A second-class honours degree (2:1) is commonly expected; candidates with a lower second-class degree (2:2) may be considered if they have relevant professional experience in development, humanitarian work, or the public sector.

International applicants should hold a recognised equivalent qualification. Applicants whose first language is not English are normally required to demonstrate competence in English through a recognised qualification at a level equivalent to an overall IELTS score commonly expected for postgraduate study, with appropriate minimum component scores.

The programme welcomes applicants with professional experience in NGOs, government, or international organisations; in such cases, a combination of prior learning and experience can support an application. Admissions decisions are based on academic transcripts, a personal statement that outlines your interest and experience in peace/conflict/development, and references.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to a wide range of careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Typical roles include:

• Programme officer or manager in international NGOs and humanitarian agencies
• Policy analyst or advisor in government departments, multilateral organisations or think tanks
• Conflict resolution practitioner, mediator or community reconciliation specialist
• Researcher or consultant on development, security and post-conflict reconstruction
• Project manager in development programmes, peacebuilding initiatives, or migration and displacement projects
• Further academic research leading to PhD study in peace and conflict, development studies or international relations

Practical research and project components of the programme are designed to build employability skills such as monitoring and evaluation, proposal writing, stakeholder engagement and field research methods.

Why study at University of Bradford

The University of Bradford has a long-standing reputation for work on peace, conflict and development, hosted within a multidisciplinary environment that combines academic research with practitioner engagement. The department attracts scholars and practitioners from a variety of regions and backgrounds, creating a diverse learning community.

Students benefit from access to specialist research centres and regular events that bring policy-makers, NGOs and academics together. The programme’s practical emphasis on field-relevant research methods and skills, combined with opportunities for practitioner-led teaching and networking, helps prepare graduates for operational and policy-facing careers in fragile and post-conflict contexts.

The city of Bradford itself is culturally diverse, offering a vibrant setting for comparative study of migration, community relations and development issues within the UK context.