Programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

Targeted at those seeking to create a positive impact on society, this master’s programme aims to prepare its students for professional activity in both interpersonal and international conflict situations. Developed with the challenges of modern-day society in mind, students of this course will gain a deeper understanding of the role that human behaviour plays in altering civilization and how peace, mediation and conflict resolution are essential to the growth of society and the creation of a better quality of life for its inhabitants.

Taking a largely psychological and anthropological approach, students of this programme can look forward to engaging with far-reaching and highly relevant topics such as the escalation of war and its effect on cultural and social dynamics. The programme aims to help students understand the mechanisms behind conflict and encompasses the teaching of mediation, negotiation, and peacebuilding from an objective and balanced perspective. Other areas of focus include subjects such as the evolution and escalation of aggression – the interdisciplinary nature of which provides a solid platform for students to base further independent research.

Skills learned throughout the duration of this two-year programme (which is based at the Vasa campus of Åbo Akademi University), are highly significant and purposeful within today’s society. The studies not only encourage students to garner new perspectives on human interaction and relationships, but also, teach students how to facilitate the improvement of these relationships on a scale of their choosing. Successful completion of this programme will result in students being awarded with a Master of Social Science degree.

Who can apply?

You are an eligible applicant for Master’s-level studies if

• you have a nationally recognized bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education,
• you meet the language requirements
• your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you’re applying to

A three-year Bachelor, Master or equivalent diploma in the Humanities, Social Sciences or Behavioral Sciences (e.g. Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, History, Anthropology, Psychology, Education or Administrative Sciences). If the degree is not completed by the end of the application period, the applicant can be admitted on condition that she/he submits the degree certificate by deadline set by Åbo Akademi University. Applicants must also prove their knowledge of the English language.

Students who fulfil the formal admission criteria are admitted on the basis of the relevance of their former studies and their success in these. Relevance of prior studies and the applicant’s motivation are carefully considered. Applicants are advised to explain their reasons for applying to this programme specifically. Work experience relevant to the programme or other relevant merits and qualifications may be taken into account. Other relevant merits and qualifications should be clearly expressed by applicants in the motivation letter which is part of the application form. The applicants might be approached for a personal interview via Skype.

There is no entrance examination. Admission is granted on the basis of an application. Due to the high number of applicants, meeting the admission criteria is no guarantee for admission to the programme.

An applicant, who has already completed a master’s degree, where the content of the studies is the same as the one offered in the programme that the applicant is applying to, is eligible to apply but cannot use this qualification to gain extra merit in relation to other applicants. If the sought degree programme is identical or almost identical to the degree that the applicant already has, the department can reject admission with the objection that there is no new learning aspect that would motivate admission (the applicant already has the qualification that he or she is applying to). Applicants who already have a master level qualification within the same area are therefore asked, in the application form, to specify the reasons for applying in relation to the new learning aspect.

If you are graduating after the application deadline, you may apply on the condition that the required application documents are submitted and arrive at Åbo Akademi by 31 July 2018 at 15:00 (Helsinki time).

You can prove your level of language proficiency in English by submitting one of the following English-language test scores to your application:

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): Scores in the Academic test with an average of 6.5, with no individual scores below 5.5. Even if you have the minimum score required in the different sections, you will not be eligible if the required total score is not achieved. Note that the IELTS General Test score is not accepted.
  You can attach a copy of the test report form to your application. The test report form must be verifiable. The results are valid for two years. 
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Total scores of at least 575 points in the paper-based test (PBT), or 90 in the Internet-based test (iBT). The Test of Written English (TWE) is required for those taking the paper-based TOEFL test.
  In addition to this it is recommended that applicants from China and East Asia, unless they take the iBT test, take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) if they have not studied in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand or USA. The required score in the TSE is 45.
  The TOEFL reporting code for Åbo Akademi University is 9880. The results are valid for two years. 
• PTE Academic (Pearson’s test of English): Total score of at least 62 points. Once you receive your test score send it to Åbo Akademi University from your PTE account. Choose Finland as the “Country” and  Åbo as the “City”, then select the university you want to send your results to and confirm your order. After this, ÅAU should have access to your test results within 48 hours. Be advised that online language test results will only be accepted from the test organiser. The results are valid for two years. 

No other English proficiency test is accepted.

Even if you have received your secondary or university education in English, you must still prove your knowledge of English by submitting one of the test scores listed above. This applies also to applicants from English-speaking countries (exceptions are listed below).

All language test results must be delivered to the university by the application deadline

It is always your responsibility as an applicant to make testing arrangements for yourself and to make sure the test results are delivered on time. You must also attach a scanned copy of the test result to your application. Be advised that it may take several weeks before the test results are published, and thus we recommend you to book your test well in advance.

• For the IELTS test, It usually takes at least 13 days for the results to be published after you have taken the test.
• Test results for PTE Academic are typically available within 5 working days following the test session.

• Scholarship programme, Åbo Akademi University

Tuition Fee: 10000 euro per year
Tuition fees were introduced in 2017 at Åbo Akademi University in accordance with the government proposal to introduce fees for non-EU/EEA students. Students admitted earlier are not affected by the fees.

Scholarship
Åbo Akademi University has a scholarship programme for fee-paying students. The scholarships are connected to the study entitlement and the scholarships can only be used to pursue studies within the programme the student has been admitted to.

Whilst the aim of this programme is to prepare students for professional activity in both interpersonal and international conflict situations, many graduates have also gone on to study at PhD level, conducting advanced research within the field of social science.

Graduates who have chosen to start working right after graduation have also had a great deal of success, with many now enjoying challenging careers in areas such as teaching, policy making and advocacy work within the public sector and private organisations. Other areas that students have thrived in include: grassroots organisations, NGOs, intergovernmental organisations and even the establishment of their own organisations.