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Studies & Degrees in Conflict Studies

Conflict studies is the academic study of why conflicts start, how they develop and how they end. It covers the whole range, from disputes between neighbours, families and companies to riots, civil wars and wars between states. The field is interdisciplinary. Utrecht University, for example, describes its master's programme as an interdisciplinary approach to the causes, dynamics and impacts of conflict and collective violence, drawing on anthropology, political science, history, human rights, sociology and international relations.

Programmes fall into two broad families. Analytical programmes, often called peace and conflict studies, train students to research and explain violent conflict. Applied programmes, often called conflict resolution or mediation, teach negotiation and mediation techniques for family, school, workplace and commercial disputes. Many degrees combine both.

Qualifications and levels

Conflict studies is taught at every university level, and more often as a master's degree or a minor than as a full bachelor's degree.

  • Bachelor's level. San Diego State University (SDSU) has offered an undergraduate major in International Security and Conflict Resolution (ISCOR) since 1993. It is housed in the Political Science Department and has three areas of emphasis: conflict, justice and environment in the global system. Compulsory courses include Conflict and Conflict Resolution. Regis University in Denver lists a minor in Conflict Transformation.
  • Master's level. The MA in Conflict Studies and Human Rights at Utrecht University lasts one year (60 EC), is taught full-time in English and starts in September. The second semester can combine a 10 to 12-week internship with thesis research. The university stresses that it is a selective programme and not a law programme.
  • Spain. Official degrees have a fixed structure: a bachelor's degree (grado) of 240 ECTS credits and master's degrees of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The Máster Universitario en Cultura de Paz, Conflictos, Educación y Derechos Humanos has 60 ECTS credits and is offered jointly by the universities of Granada, Córdoba, Málaga and Cádiz.
  • Short courses. Mediation is also taught in shorter specialist courses. Ask the school what recognition the certificate has before enrolling.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 15 active schools for conflict studies. Six are in the United States, four in Spain and two in Argentina; Canada, the Netherlands and Russia have one each. In the United States the list includes San Diego State University, the University of California, Irvine, Arcadia University and Regis University. In Spain it includes the Universidad de Cádiz, the Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), the Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes in Valladolid and the business school of the Universidad de Alicante. In Argentina it includes the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero and Fundación CIEP. Utrecht University and Camosun College in Victoria, Canada, are also listed.

Costs differ widely between countries. At Utrecht University the statutory fee for Dutch and other EU/EEA students is €2,694 for 2026-27, and the institutional fee for non-EU/EEA students is €21,342. Check the language of instruction and the fees of each programme on the school's own pages.

Careers

Graduates work in non-governmental organisations, public administration, international organisations, research and journalism. Utrecht University reports that 30% of the graduates of its master's programme work for national NGOs in conflict, humanitarian aid, security and peacebuilding, and that 17% move on to a PhD position.

Mediation is the other main route. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, arbitrators, mediators and conciliators typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and few candidates hold a degree specific to arbitration, mediation or conflict resolution: most bring expertise from another field. Many work in legal services or for state and local government. The Bureau projects employment in the occupation to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. In Spain, the law on mediation in civil and commercial matters requires a mediator to hold an official university degree or a higher vocational training qualification, plus specific training in mediation.

Frequently asked questions

Is conflict studies the same as peace studies?

The two overlap, and many programmes carry both words in their name. Conflict studies puts the emphasis on analysing how conflicts arise and develop; peace studies and conflict resolution put it on preventing and settling them.

Do I need a specific bachelor's degree to take a master's in conflict studies?

Usually not one specific degree, because the field draws on several social sciences and humanities. Admission can be competitive: Utrecht University describes its master's programme as selective and states that being eligible does not guarantee a place.

How long does a master's in conflict studies take?

Often one year. The Utrecht master's has 60 EC and lasts one year, and the joint Andalusian master's in peace culture and conflicts has 60 ECTS credits.

Can I work as a mediator with a degree in conflict studies?

It depends on the country. In Spain a mediator needs an official university degree or a higher vocational qualification and specific mediation training. Check the rules of the country where you want to practise.