Explore UCD

UCD Home >

MSc Peace and Conflict

MSc (NFQ Level 9)
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Contact Us
Please read our FAQ page before proceeding to the Contact Us button above. 

Visit Our Website for Further Information such as Entry Requirement and Application Documents. 

World Top 100 in the QS Ranking 2024 in Politics | Oldest and Largest School of its Kind in Ireland.

UCD School of Politics & International Relations is the oldest and largest school of its kind in Ireland with over 150 years of experience in political studies and a world-renowned faculty drawn from many countries.

This programme uses comparative political science models and methods to analyse patterns of conflict and settlement, with a focus on internal violent conflicts, past and present.

 

  • This course allows analysis of the different ways that religion, ethnicity and inequality combine to generate violence. 
  • Specialist resources in the study of theories of ethnicity, identity, conflict; comparative ethnic conflict; Northern Ireland, Western Europe and relevant cognate specialisms in civic republicanism, justice and human rights, international security, European politics, and development studies.
  • Includes additional research components and is particularly suitable if you want a career in research or academia..

About This Course

  • Enhance students' abilities to undertake research/policy analysis
  • Enhance students' capacities for critical thinking vis-à-vis ethnic identity
  • Allow students participate in debates around nationalism and ethnic conflict
  • Develop oral presentation skills
  • Enhance group work skills
  • Develop methodological research expertise
  • To impart a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the causes, and issues arising around, all aspects of nationalism and ethnic conflict

Graduates work with international bodies, non-governmental organisations and state agencies in roles such as: government social researchers, diplomatic advisors and public affair consultants.

Recent graduates of UCD School of Politics & International Relations now work in:

  • United Nations
  • World Trade Organisation
  • IMF
  • European Commission
  • Asia Development Bank

    •  

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL42060 International Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL42310 Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 AMST40030 Media and US Foreign Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 LAW42280 International Refugee Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL40100 Politics of Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL40130 Poverty, Development and Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL40970 Politics of European Governance Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 GS40120 Decoloniality and Intersectionality Thinking Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL40370 International Political Economy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL42350 Connected_Politics 2 Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL42430 IR Theory: Conflict and Identity Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 POL42580 Arab Perceptions of Conflict Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Select 2 option modules.
 SOC40620 Nationalism and Social Change Spring  10

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

SDG3 SDG 13 SDG 16

Ines Meyer

I chose to study the MSc Peace and Conflict at UCD because it offers an interdisciplinary perspective to understanding conflict through the lens of gender, psychology, human rights, and political economy.

The students in this programme come from all over the world and bring diverse experiences and perspectives into the classroom. The close interaction with my classmates and professors also shaped how I understand conflict-related harm, and the prospects of working towards a more peaceful society.

I decided to follow the research-oriented MSc-track to get a deeper understanding of the various methods to analyse conflict dynamics. I specialised in conflict psychology taught by Dr Stephanie Dornschneider-Elkink and gender, harm, and transitional justice, taught by Prof Aisling Swaine. Both have an extensive working experience in conflict-affected regions and provide us with invaluable insights into their personal experiences.

Moreover, I received the SPIRe postgraduate scholarship, which allowed me to focus on my studies and gain hands-on teaching experience as a tutor. Furthermore, UCD has many student associations, events, and its own Centre for Peace and Conflict research (CPCR) which give students opportunities to engage and connect with people from different programmes. Ultimately, the MSc Peace and Conflict prepares us for various careers in research institutions, NGOs, government agencies or international organisations.

MSc Peace and Conflict (W408) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10350
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MSc Peace and Conflict (W409) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 6580
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

SPIRe operates a Graduate Scholarship programme, which normally opens in late Spring. To access details, see SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme. Please note that not all programmes are eligible for this Scholarship.

  • A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1). 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.
  • Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.
  • English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement. Click here for further info.
  • Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


The applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject  such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law/international law etc. with at least Upper Second Class Honours, or its equivalent (an overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher in the American system). Relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.
Print this page

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Peace and Conflict:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W408
MSc Peace and Conflict
Master of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W409
MSc Peace and Conflict
Master of Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
Contact UsOpen Days & EventsDownload Brochure
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.