Master of Arts - International Security and Conflict Studies (DC629)

Conflict takes many forms – not just direct violence – and all are affected by it. Understanding the processes and driving forces at work is essential in the ever-changing world. The MA in International Security and Conflict aims to provide students with the tools to make their own analysis in the 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?

DCU welcomes 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. DCU lecturers are themselves researching areas such as political economy, human rights, conflict resolution, post-war reconstruction, transitional justice, and regional studies. 

Core subjects in the first semester help to set out the foundations of security, conflict, and peace. In the second semester students 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. Students 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.