International Security & Conflict Studies
Conflict takes many forms – not just direct violence – and we are all affected by it. Understanding the processes and driving forces at work is essential in our ever-changing world. The MA in International Security and Conflict aims to provide you with the tools to make your own analysis in our increasingly interconnected world. Why do people feel threatened? How do some groups manage to overcome their differences? What is the effect of peacekeeping, online radicalisation, or international treaties?
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Dublin City University |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | Dublin City University | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Entry Requirements
Requirements
For admission to the MA in International Security & Conflict programme, successful applicants will have -
• A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent, OR
• Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.
• International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.
Careers / Further progression
Careers
The MA in International Security and Conflict Studies attracts both recent undergraduates and those already established in their careers. The programme is suitable for students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, from politics, law and history and languages, to students with experience in policing or security forces.
The knowledge and skills you acquire through this programme are highly sought by government, research organisations, the national and international non-governmental (NGO)/non-profit sector, the inter-governmental (IGO) sector and policing and security forces.
Graduates seek work in a variety of government departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of An Taoiseach and Department of Justice, as well as in the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána, and international organisations including the European Union and United Nations. Others may gravitate towards agencies and NGOs such as Trócaire, Amnesty International, Concern and Oxfam, or major multinational organisations, the media and international business.
Potential Careers
• Diplomat or Field Officer
• Nonprofit Director
• Development or Humanitarian Specialist
• Communication Specialist
• Press Officer
• Policy Officer or Legal Advocate
• Conflict Resolution or Mediation Specialist
• Human Resources & Trauma Specialist
• Journalist
• Policing or Security Forces Professional
Further information
The programme commences in September 2024
Full time:
EU Status Fee €7,700
Non EU Fee €16,500
Part time:
EU Status Fee Part-time €4,200
Non EU Fee Part time €8,100
Application Deadlines
AApplications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:
Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2024
Closing date for EU applicants is 31st July 2024
Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.
All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
To apply for this programme:
• All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal - view Application Weblink above
• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.
• If applicable, evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.
Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
We welcome students from around the world, and many have worked in conflict or security in some way. Some have studied very different undergraduate degrees but have a real interest in the subject. Our lecturers are themselves researching areas such as political economy, human rights, conflict resolution, post-war reconstruction, transitional justice, and regional studies. The classroom is a space for lively debate – it’s your chance to explore and learn together.
Core subjects in the first semester help to set out the foundations of security, conflict, and peace. In the second semester you will find a wide range of optional modules on offer. These normally include development, trade, human rights, political terrorism, climate change, gender, and area studies such as Asia or Africa. You will also write a dissertation of up to 15,000 words, for which there is support from the beginning of the course, including one-to-one supervision.
Why Do This Programme?
• Gain an in-depth knowledge of the political, social, economic, historical, and cultural contexts of the international security system and its institutions, including international security organisations and the law of armed conflict.
• Understand specific aspects of international security in the contemporary world, including peacekeeping and peace-making interventions, terrorism, failed states and human security.
• Open doors to further postgraduate studies in Conflict Studies, International Relations, Peace Studies, Politics/Political Science, Security Studies, Strategic Studies and Terrorism Studies.
• Learn through interactive, hands-on teaching methods in small group settings, and get a head start on your career through relationships with colleagues from varied backgrounds and specialisms.
Programme Aims and Objectives
• Link theory, policy and practice.
• Offer high quality academic training in international security.
• Give participants a critical understanding of different theories of and frameworks for security and conflict studies.
• Enhance the practical skills of participants in the areas of research, communication, policy analysis, and programme and project management.
• Develop participants’ interests in the pressures giving rise to and created by the intersection of globalising forces with the maintenance of national and international security.
Programme Academic Structure for 2023 - 2024, MA in International Security & Conflict
This information is provisional & subject to change.
Full-time Programme Structure
Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
LG5000 Dissertation 25 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
LG528 Research Methodology 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
LG532 International Security 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
LG533 Resolving and Managing Conflict 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
LG566 International Law and Conflict 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
Year 1 Optional Modules -
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
LG5008 Environmental Change and World Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5029 International Security: Critical Approaches 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5037 EU Foreign and Security Policy 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5042 Emerging Issues in Security 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5051 Statehood and Recognition in World Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5055 Race, Minorities & Indigenous in Int'l Law 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5058 Counter-Terrorism in Europe 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5064 The Governance of Migration in Europe 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5067 Gender, Masculinities and Colonialism 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5068 Gender and Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG517 International Development Practice 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG525 Irish Foreign Policy 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG534 Conflict, Security and Peacebuilding 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG536 Political Terrorism 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG542 Politics & Development in Sub-Saharan Africa 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG552 Politics of the UN 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG574 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG599 War and Peace in South Asia 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
UM405 Uaneen Non-Contributing Module Year long 0 100 1
Part-time Programme Structure
Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
LG532 International Security 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
LG533 Resolving and Managing Conflict 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
Year 1 Optional Modules,
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
LG5008 Environmental Change and World Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5029 International Security: Critical Approaches 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5037 EU Foreign and Security Policy 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5042 Emerging Issues in Security 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5051 Statehood and Recognition in World Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5055 Race, Minorities & Indigenous in Int'l Law 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5058 Counter-Terrorism in Europe 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5064 The Governance of Migration in Europe 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5067 Gender, Masculinities and Colonialism 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5068 Gender and Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG517 International Development Practice 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG525 Irish Foreign Policy 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG534 Conflict, Security and Peacebuilding 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG536 Political Terrorism 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG542 Politics & Development in Sub-Saharan Africa 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG552 Politics of the UN 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG574 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG599 War and Peace in South Asia 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
Year 2 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
LG5000A Dissertation 25 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
LG528A Research Methodology 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
LG566A International Law and Conflict 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
Year 2 Optional Modules,
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
LG5008A Environmental Change and World Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5029A International Security: Critical Approaches 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5037A EU Foreign and Security Policy 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5042A Emerging Issues in Security 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5051A Statehood and Recognition in World Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5055A Race, Minorities & Indigenous in Int'l Law 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5058A Counter-Terrorism in Europe 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5064A The Governance of Migration in Europe 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5067A Gender, Masculinities and Colonialism 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG5068A Gender and Politics 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG517A International Development Practice 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG524A Russia and the Former Soviet Space 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG525A Irish Foreign Policy 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG534A Conflict, Security and Peacebuilding 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG536A Political Terrorism 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG542A Politics & Development in Sub-Saharan Africa 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG552A Politics of the UN 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG574A Politics of the Middle East and North Africa 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
LG599A War and Peace in South Asia 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
UM405 Uaneen Non-Contributing Module Year long 0 100 1
Full-time and part-time options
The MA can be completed on a full-time basis over 12 months, or part-time over two years. The year starts in the second half of September. For the part-time course, the compulsory modules, and a selection of the most important optional ones, are normally taught on a single afternoon/evening per week between 2pm and 8pm. Depending on which optional modules are chosen, part time students would not normally have activities scheduled outside of this time.
Programme Structure and Content
This MA can be completed in one year on a full-time basis, or in two years on a part-time basis.
As a full-time student, you’ll take three core modules in Semester 1, along with a research methodology class. In Semester 2, you’ll take three modules from a range of thematic- and region-focused options. A 15,000 word dissertation is due in September.
If you’re a part-time student, you’ll complete all modules (three core modules, a research methodology class, and three optional modules) over the course of two years, taking one or two modules per semester. A 15,000 word dissertation is due in September of Year 2.
The programme features seminars and presentations by guest speakers—including politicians, officials, academics and diplomats—that prompt you to explore key issues in international politics, security, and development, as well as to build connections to key practitioners.
+353 (0) 1 700 8264
danny.marks@dcu.ie