The MA in Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding at Oxford Brookes University is designed and delivered jointly with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). It is a fully online programme built for practitioners already working in humanitarian action, peacebuilding and related fields who wish to advance their careers without leaving the field. The programme explores the interactions between humanitarian action and peacebuilding through online lectures, practitioner discussions, experience sharing and critical reflections within an action research framework.
Modules cover the complexity of conflicts and their conceptual frameworks, culture-sensitivity in post-conflict settings, humanitarian and peacebuilding programmes in urban conflicts, mental health and psychosocial support in conflict-affected areas, forced migration and humanitarianism, and principles of international humanitarian law. The flexible programme leads to a PGCert (30 ECTS), Diploma (60 ECTS) or full MA (90 ECTS), with individual modules available for CPD purposes. It draws on Oxford Brookes’ Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) and UNITAR’s global humanitarian network, giving students unique access to UN missions and field expertise. Enrolment for January 2026 is open.