Program Page
Program Duration

1 year

Program Credit

48 units

Program Delivery In Person

In person

Why study this program

For millions of people worldwide, violent conflict or the threat of violent conflict, is a daily reality. The Master of Peace and Conflict Studies aims to help you understand why conflicts occur, how to mitigate their impact, and how to resolve them and prevent them from reoccurring. It is a world-leading program thanks to its unique features: in addition to exploring cutting-edge debates in the field of peace and conflict studies, it puts a strong emphasis on skills development. Additionally, the degree offers a distinct focus on both Asia and the Pacific region and on interdisciplinarity. Because it is offered in Canberra, at the leading University in Australia, you will have the opportunity to learn from leading academics in the field but also practitioners and policymakers. As a result, this degree allows for both breadth and depth of learning.

The Master of Peace and Conflict Studies equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand the nature of peace and conflict, the causes and experiences of violence, and the many ways in which national and international bodies can respond to those challenges. The program brings together diverse disciplinary insights, demonstrating how the different ways we interpret peace and conflict can influence what we see, what we respond to, and how we may judge success and failure.

You will be taught by world-renowned research scholars from the prestigious Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, have the opportunity to engage with practitioners, and you will graduate from a world-class university, positioning you firmly in the centre of a global network of leading scholars and policy-makers.

This is a one-year program and both full-time and part-time study options are available. 

The program covers:

  • Issues and concepts in Peace and Conflict Studies
  • Conflict resolution
  • Peacebuilding
  • Statebuilding
  • Conflict Analysis
  • Reconciliation
  • Transitional Justice
  • The impact of climate change
  • Atrocity prevention
  • Ethics of Peace and War
  • Women, Peace and Security

Internships

A vibrant and exciting internship program is offered for successful students. Students have access to a range of internships with international and local NGOs, Australian government departments, the private sector, embassies and the broader ANU community.  Internships are awarded for course credit on a competitive basis and are unpaid. All students also have access to the ANU Internship Program.

Whether you want to work at the UN, your government, NGOs, think tanks, or in academia, the degree provides exciting career options by equipping you with knowledge and real-world skills to effectively make a difference in the field of peace and conflict studies.

You will have the necessary skills to advance your career in a wide range of fields such as:

  • International organisations
  • Diplomatic / Foreign service
  • Humanitarian organisations
  • Government and public service
  • Intergovernmental agencies
  • International development and aid
  • Journalism
  • Think tanks, policy institutes, and research centres
  • Not-for-profit organisations

World-class academics are your teachers

This program is delivered by the Department of International Relations in the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs and brings together a diverse range of discipline-leading experts who deliver cutting edge research-led teaching.

Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (Advanced)

The Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (Advanced) is a 1.5 year full-time (72 units) program that enables students to undertake a 24 unit independent research project, with appropriate research training, to develop deep expertise in a particular dimension of Peace and Conflict Studies.

Part-time options available.

If you have any questions or queries, please email bell.postgrad@anu.edu.au