2-Term Pathway - Pre-Master's in Social Sciences - Continue to Master of Arts - Conflict Resolution

If students hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet the entry requirements for a master’s, a Pre-Master’s can help them gain a place on a postgraduate degree. For progression to the 1st year of a postgraduate degree at the University of Essex. Course length is determined mainly by students English language level (UKVI IELTS score).

Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. If their course is longer than 2 terms, students will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

This University of Essex course helps students understand the evolving field of conflict resolution, exploring the causes and effects of destructive conflict across the world, and scrutinising the theory and practice of how it can be managed peacefully. Students don’t need a statistical background to study this course – they'll introduce students to research methods and teach them how to use them throughout their studies. Essex's MSc Conflict Resolution is ideal if students have a statistical background and want to learn advanced quantitative skills.

Students have access to leading conflict resolution experts in Essex's Michael Nicholson Centre for Conflict and Cooperation and the opportunity to collaborate on research. Essex also hosts popular talks with experts, and with prestigious external speakers, helping students develop a deeper knowledge of conflict resolution.

Essex provides students with a framework for understanding conflict resolution in inter- and intra-state issues, focusing on topics including: mediation, negotiation, and collaborative problem-solving; using conflict data sets and drawing geographical maps; international development and human rights; international relations and security studies; global and comparative politics. 

Students have the option of studying an extracurricular module on non-violent movements, offered in collaboration with Slobdan Djinovic and Srdja Popovic of the Centre for Nonviolent Action and Strategies in Belgrade. This exciting module, previously offered at many US universities including Colorado College, Harvard University and New York University, has never been offered anywhere else in Europe.

Essex's dynamic, interdisciplinary approach combines traditional methods with contemporary theory and practices of non-violent movements. Essex encourages students to experience the practical as well as the theoretical application of these topics through examining real case studies of international conflict.

All Essex politics graduates have the distinction of a qualification from one of the world’s leading politics departments. This course will prepare students for a career in areas such as non-governmental organizations, international and national government, or the private sector. Recent graduates have gone on to work for the following high-profile organizations: the Civil Service, local government, the World Bank, the United Nations, NATO, YouGov and YouGov America.