Peace and Conflict Studies

The MLitt in Peace and Conflict Studies is a one-year taught postgraduate programme run by the School of International Relations. The programme runs from September to September.

Highlights

• This programme is very wide ranging to encourage students to reflect on the nature of both war and peace.
• Students will develop the skills required to analyse the roots, dynamics, key actors and issue-areas in specific conflicts and to evaluate specific responses to conflicts.

The programme consists of four taught modules taken over two semesters and a 15,000 word dissertation in an area of your choice.

Modules are taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials with average lecture sizes ranging from 20 to 30 students and tutorial sizes ranging from 1 to 15 students. Assessment methods include a combination of examination and coursework.

Every MLitt student is assigned a dissertation supervisor who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. 

Compulsory modules

• Issues in Peace and Conflict: focuses on issues surrounding the theorisations of security and conflict against the backdrop of an emerging globalisation.
• Peace and Conflict Theory: analyses how and why the principal theoretical frameworks and practices employed to comprehend conflict, violence and peace building have evolved over the last decades, situating this analysis within a series of key case studies.

Optional modules

Students choose two optional modules. Optional modules are subject to change each year, and some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University’s position on curriculum development). You may, with permission, take modules from other MLitt programmes in the School.

• Terrorism and Liberal Democracy: explores the development of contemporary terrorism and the conceptional and definitional issues concerning terrorism.
• Conflict and Peace in Post-Communist Eurasia: examines where and why conflicts have arisen throughout the post-communist space, Eurasia, particularly in the Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Religion and International Politics: investigates the so-called 'global resurgence' of politicised religion.
• Identity and Collective Violence: studies the concept of violence as a group or collective phenomenon.
• Political Economy of Conflict: provides a political economy perspective on conflict in a developing economy.
• Gender and Terrorism: explores gender as a tool for the construction and maintenance of power.
• The Evolution of United Nations Peacekeeping: looks at the development of United Nations peacekeeping from the 1940s to the present.
• Political Order and Violence in the Middle East: examines the causes and consequences of political order and violence in the Middle East.
• Political Philosophy and World Order: explores philosophical reflections on the idea of world order through a study of key political philosophy texts.
• 'Reason of State': Origin, Nature and Career of a Concept: studies the meaning, origins, development and significance of the notion of 'reason of state' in western political thought.
• Topics in International Political Thought: introduces key themes in the international realm through close engagement with the ideas of a single theorist.
• Ideologies and Social Movements in the Middle East: focuses on prominent ideologies in the modern history of the Middle East, and the role ideas play in the political mobilisation of society.
• Conflicts, Security and Democracy in the Greater Caucasus: examines the history, languages and culture of the Caucasus.
• Social Movements, Revolutions and Authoritarianism in North Africa: investigates the dynamics and outcomes of social protests in the authoritarian regimes of North African region in the post-colonial period.
• Foreign Policy Analysis: covers the literature, research topics and current issues in the area of foreign policy analysis.
• Security and Conflict in Africa: a systematic study of patterns of conflict in Africa and security concerns.

Dissertation

The final element of the MLitt is a 15,000 word dissertation. The dissertation should focus on an area of peace and conflict studies in which you are interested. Each student is supported by a relevant supervisor from the School who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation must be submitted by the end of August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

Requirements

• Postgraduate candidates will be expected to hold a Russian Bachelor’s degree - Diplom Bakalavra/ Bakalavr Diploma or a Specialist Degree issued by the Russian Federation -  Specialist Diploma / Diplom Specialista.  In either case, students should have completed their degree with an average mark (grade) of 4 or higher on the Russian 5-point marking scale.  Students with higher level qualifications such as Magistr, the Kandidat Nauk, would also be considered for postgraduate study.
• CV
• Letter of intent indicating your knowledge of the programme and how it will benefit you
• Sample of academic written work (2,000 words)
• Two original signed academic references
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates 
• IELTS 7.0

Scholarships

• Russia Global Education Program (GEP)
• Accommodation Award
• Chevening Scholarships 
• Thomas and Margaret Roddan Trust Bursary 

The undergraduate program in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of St Andrews offers students an in-depth understanding of the causes, dynamics, and resolutions of conflicts around the world. The program is designed to provide a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating insights from politics, international relations, history, anthropology, and sociology to explore the complex nature of peace and conflict. Students learn to analyze conflict situations critically, assess the effectiveness of various peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies, and develop practical skills necessary for careers in international organizations, NGOs, government agencies, and research institutions. The curriculum includes core modules on theories of conflict, peace processes, international law, human rights, and security studies, alongside electives that allow specialization in areas such as post-conflict reconstruction, conflict resolution, and migration. The program emphasizes both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, often involving case studies and simulations, preparing students to engage effectively with real-world issues. Opportunities for fieldwork, internships, and study abroad programs are available, enabling students to gain international experience and build networks within the peace and conflict sector. The teaching staff comprises scholars with extensive research backgrounds and professional experience in conflict zones, ensuring an academically rigorous and practically relevant education. Graduates of the program have gone on to work in United Nations agencies, international NGOs, diplomatic missions, and research bodies, reflecting the program’s strong industry links. The degree typically spans three or four years, depending on the chosen study route, and includes a dissertation project where students conduct independent research on a peace and conflict-related topic. Dedicated support services, such as academic advising and career guidance, are provided to help students achieve their academic and professional goals. Overall, the program embodies St Andrews’ commitment to fostering critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and a proactive approach to the pressing global issues surrounding peace and conflict.