Gender and Peace Building

The Master's Degree in Gender and Peace Building at the University for Peace offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the critical intersections between gender dynamics and peaceful conflict resolution. This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and strategic insights necessary to promote gender equality and integrate gender perspectives into peacebuilding processes at local, national, and international levels. Through a multidisciplinary curriculum, students will analyze how gender identities, roles, and relations influence conflicts and peace processes, while examining the policies and interventions that can effectively address gender disparities. Emphasizing a human rights-based approach, the program encourages learners to critically assess existing peacebuilding strategies and advocate for more inclusive and equitable solutions. Students will explore diverse topics such as gender and security, violence against women, women, peace, and security (WPS), conflict transformation, and the role of grassroots movements in fostering gender-sensitive peace initiatives. The program combines academic coursework with practical applications, including case studies, research projects, and fieldwork opportunities, enabling students to develop actionable strategies for gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding efforts worldwide. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work with government agencies, NGOs, international organizations, and community groups dedicated to advancing gender equality and sustaining peace in fragile settings. In addition to fostering critical thinking and analytical skills, the program emphasizes cultural sensitivity, ethical considerations, and collaborative leadership necessary for effective peacebuilding. With the increasing recognition of gender as a vital element of sustainable peace, the University for Peace’s Gender and Peace Building program aims to empower future leaders who can challenge gender-based inequalities and contribute to building more inclusive and resilient societies. This program reflects the university’s commitment to social justice, gender equality, and global peace, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to tackle complex conflicts and promote harmonious coexistence across diverse communities worldwide.

• UPEACE Foundation Course
• Gender Theories and Practices
• Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation
• The United Nations System
• Critical Seminars
• Gender, Environment and Sustainable Development
• Gender in Peace Building 
• Research Methodology
• The Kurds between Past and Present Genocides in Iraq
• Gender and Media
• Gender Mainstreaming in Peacekeeping Operations and in Humanitarian Assistance
• Tools for Conflict Resolution and Transformation
• Gender and people on the move: Trafficking, Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migration

• Identity Politics, Inclusion and Peace Building

• Working in Conflict and Post-Conflict Areas - Field Training

Required Supporting Documents to be Uploaded:

• English Proficiency Test Scores Report (TOEFL, IELTS)
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Official Undergraduate (Bachelor's Degree) Transcripts and Degree Certificate
• Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
• UPEACE Acknowledgment of Financial Responsibility
• Copy of Passport (front page with photo only)
• Passport size photo

The online application only requires electronic (PDF) scans of required documents. Should admission be granted, the following documents will be eventually be required in official hard copy:

• English Proficiency Test Scores Report (TOEFL, IELTS) - if applicable
• Official Undergraduate Transcripts and Degree Certificate (and English translations if applicable)
• Six passport size photos

Upon submission of the on-line application form and supporting uploaded documents, the UPEACE Admissions system will send an automatic confirmation email. The date and time of submission will be noted in the system. Applications received after the established relevant deadline will be transferred for the subsequent academic year.

Each application received by the established deadline will be reviewed for completeness. A second acknowledgment will be sent to the applicant by the Admissions Officer informing whether or not the application is complete and able to be passed on for academic review.

We are not able to provide any information about the status of applicants over the phone or to third parties. Information will only be provided using the email entered by the applicant in the on-line application form.

Statement of purpose

The statement of purpose must be between 500 and 1,000 words and state the applicants name, the programme to which they are applying, and clear responses to the following questions:

• Why have you decided to apply to this programme?
• What are your expectations from this programme?
• What are your career plans after completing this programme?
• What type of multicultural exchanges have you had that would inform your academic experience in this programme?

Letters of recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. The letters should be from faculty or academic advisors from your academic experience or managers or other superiors from a professional work environment who are qualified to evaluate applicant's potential for graduate study. The letters need to include the referees title, their relation to, and how long they've known the applicant. The letters should also outline specific examples of applicant's work and why the referee feels the applicant is a fit for the specific UPEACE programme.

Examples of valid referees or recommenders are:

• Faculty, deans, or professors
• Academic advisors
• Immediate supervisors
• Research project managers
• Mentors in a superior position in the workplace, volunteer, or University setting

Tution and administrative fees: 19500 USD

Conditions of UPEACE Scholarships & Financial Assistance

The prospective applicant has to be admitted to UPEACE in order to receive any possibility of financial assistance from the University, the latter of which is subject to the following conditions:

• The financial assistance awarded is non-negotiable.
• The scholarships/waivers do not apply to the US$ 2,500 administrative fee. This fee is mandatory for all students and is non-refundable if the student wishes to withdraw from UPEACE before completing his/her degree. Admitted students must comply with this financial obligation to UPEACE according to the required deadline outlined in their official admissions documents.
• Applicant are only eligible for one waiver category per application period. Waiver categories cannot be combined.
• Applicants eligible for a 50% waiver must apply directly through the UPEACE Admissions Office.

Automatic Scholarships/Waivers

30% Tuition Waiver (Automatic)

Available to M.A. and Doctorate students that meet one of the following criteria:

• Citizen or nationals of a signatory state to the UPEACE Charter
• Students who have received an undergraduate or graduate degree from a partner university
• Peace Corps veterans

50% Tuition Waiver (Automatic) 

Available to M.A. and Doctorate students that meet one of the following criteria:

• Professors from a partner university
• Costa Rican citizens and residents (host country)
• Current, full-time UN employees and volunteers
• Documented refugee or asylee

30% or 50% Tuition Waiver (Merit Based) - Available to Master's applicants who do not belong to the above categories. These waivers are offered in limited number and will be awarded by merit, not financial condition. These waivers are not available to doctorate students.

The Gender and Peace Building program at the University for Peace is designed to equip students with an understanding of the complex interrelations between gender issues and peace processes. This program aims to empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to conflict resolution, peace negotiations, and policy development with a focus on gender equality. It explores topics such as gender-based violence, women’s roles in peacebuilding, gender mainstreaming in peace processes, and the impact of conflict on different genders. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical frameworks and practical skills, including conflict analysis, negotiation, and strategic communication, to prepare graduates to work effectively in diverse environments. Students have opportunities to engage with case studies from various regions, participate in simulations, and collaborate with international organizations. The program fosters a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from sociology, political science, anthropology, and international law to develop comprehensive strategies for promoting gender-sensitive peace initiatives. Graduates of this program find careers in international organizations, governmental agencies, NGOs, and community-based initiatives that focus on peacebuilding, gender equality, human rights, and development. The faculty comprises experts in gender studies, conflict resolution, and international diplomacy, ensuring that students receive instruction grounded in current research and best practices. The program also encourages fieldwork and internships to provide practical experience beyond the classroom. Ultimately, the program aims to create a new generation of leaders committed to fostering inclusive, sustainable peace by addressing gender disparities and promoting social justice at local, national, and global levels.