Universities United Kingdom London School of Economics Courses MSc Conflict Studies

MSc Conflict Studies
at London School of Economics

London, United Kingdom

Tuition Fee £ 24,456
Country Rank-
Duration12 Months
Score IELTS: 7 TOEFL: 100

Program Overview

The MSc Conflict Studies is dedicated to the analysis of violent conflict and its management or resolution. Its interests range from the interaction of high-level international, domestic and local politics, to the ideological, cultural and political economy factors in violent conflict.

Faculty are pedagogical and methodological pluralists, interested in explaining the causes, dynamics and outcomes of conflict and developing new perspectives on the institutional and non-institutional means by which conflicts can be better managed.

The MSc Conflict Studies has at its core some fundamental questions about what causes violent conflict. Why does it happen when it does and where it does? How and why do conflicts change over time? What can be done to manage or resolve a conflict? What is the role of international politics, or civil society? We aim to address these major questions that are pivotal to the comparative study of politics. The involvement of leading experts in the field will provide you with insights and critical thinking on the latest theoretical developments, research and best policy practices.

We aim to provide a multi-disciplinary perspective on the study of conflict which will be a valuable learning experience for those who wish to develop careers in the policy world in governments and public service, international organisations, security agencies, the media, NGOs or finance, as well as providing an excellent foundation if you wish to progress to a PhD programme. While many students who have taken the programme have gone on to successful careers in these fields, many have also come to us from such careers and with experience of work in major conflict zones, and have found their perspectives and skills enhanced by the in-depth learning experience at LSE.

Our goal is less to teach you how to think about conflict normatively, though this is an element in some courses, but more how to develop your skills to research and analyse conflict.

Course Content
The programme has been designed to provide you with a range of options that offer comprehensive coverage of theories of conflict, political violence and civil wars, human security, terrorism and insurgency, including the implications for strategies of state-building, post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation, peace processes and conflict resolution. Concepts and theories are analysed across a range of global, regional, national and subnational contexts, including detailed comparative case studies.

The programme includes as a compulsory element some basic methodological training in quantitative and/or qualitative methods, with provision for more advanced skills as required.

You must take courses to the value of four full units and you are required to write a 10,000-word dissertation. Part-time students may take up to four courses in their first year.

(* denotes a half unit)

Comparative Conflict Analysis*
Introduces the core theoretical debates and cutting-edge research on intra-state conflict and political violence.

One from
Qualitative Research Methods*
Addresses methods of data collection and analysis of qualitative data.

Introduction to Quantitative Analysis*
Covers the foundations of descriptive statistics and statistical estimation and inference.

Case Studies and Comparative Methods for Qualitative Research*
Focuses on the approach and practice of designing and conducting case study and comparative research.

Applied Regression Analysis*
Deepening the understanding of the generalized linear model and its application to social science data.

Dissertation
An independent research project of 10,000 words on an approved topic of your choice.

Courses to the value of two units from a range of options
Entry Requirement
Minimum entry requirements for MSc Conflict Studies

Upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in any discipline.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.
Fees & Scholarships
Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.\

Tuition fees 2022/23 for MSc Conflict Studies
Home students: £24,456
Overseas students: £24,456
Career Prospect
Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Government
Median salary of our PG students six months after graduating: £30,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:
- Public administration and defence
- Management consultancy activities
- Scientific research and development
- Extraterritorial organisations
- Legal and accounting activities
The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2017-18 were the first group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling.

Previous graduates have developed careers in the policy world in governments and public service, international organisations, security agencies, the media, NGOs and finance. The programme is also an excellent foundation for those students who wish to progress to a PhD programme.

Cost Of Studying At London School of Economics

Interest rates as low as 8.9% ^*

250K+

Students Assisted

800Cr+

Loan Amount Disbursed

5000+

Loans Sanctioned

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MSc Conflict Studies at London School of Economics