Bachelors in Peace and Conflict

A bachelors in peace and conflict studies covers the causes, effects, history and impact of conflicts and movements to build peace around the world. An undergraduate degree in peace and conflict studies explores the root causes of organised violence and encourages students to critique attempts to create sustainable peace. Peace and conflict studies also covers the economic, development, environmental, societal and political effects of war and peace.

Completing an undergraduate degree in peace and conflict studies provides a unique insight into global conflict and peacebuilding. Student explore specific case studies to develop a deep understanding of human violence and how it can be prevented. A graduate with a bachelors in peace and conflict can go on to further study, including in related areas such as international development, humanitarian aid or international relations. Graduates can also go on to employment working on policy development or with government, NGOs or international organisations.

Combined Honours in Peace Studies (B.A.) – McMaster University

The Peace and Studies BA at McMaster University equips students with the skills and understanding to build a more peaceful world. Students choose from a selection of courses to complete either a combined honour BA (major) or a minor in peace studies. Peace Studies at McMaster focuses on the four core themes of peace through health, human rights, peace education and peace activism. Student also takes elective courses in subjects such as history, women’s studies, anthropology and economics further expanding their contextual knowledge of peacebuilding. The combined honours in Peace Studies at McMaster also allows students to apply their knowledge and encourages problem-based and investigative learning in small groups.

Entry requirements for the Peace and Studies bachelors at McMasters differ depending on which country you are applying from, but you generally need the completion of a high school education. McMaster also requires evidence of English language ability; however, you may be exempt if you have studied in English before. For exact entry requirements, please contact the university directly.

Fees at McMaster are charged by unit. An undergraduate degree of 5 courses is usually comprised of 30 units. For Canadian students, fees are around 200 CAD per unit, for international students’ fees are around 1,128 CAD per unit. Living expenses need to be covered in addition to course fees. McMaster has a number of scholarships that can be applied for, including entry level bursaries based on strong previous academic performance, as well as the Rhodes Scholarships and Killam Fellowship award.

Bachelors Peace and Conflict Studies – Malmo University

Malmo University in Sweden has a bachelors in Peace and Conflict Studies. The course provides students with an understanding of macro and local-level violence as well as an overview of conflict resolution and peace building. On the course, students will investigate and analyse how different types of armed conflict occur and develop over time, as well as gain knowledge of how sustainable peace emerges. Malmo University’s bachelors in Peace and Conflict Studies is a three-year course made up six semesters. As well as semesters focused on peace and conflict, the undergraduate degree has semesters on civil society actors in local, national and international contexts and project management methods in zones of conflict.

To study the bachelors in peace and conflict studies at Malmo University, Swedish applicants need Civics 1b / 1a1 +1a2 or Civics A, English B. International applicants need the equivalent of high school graduation diploma and official transcript for all years (9-12 or 10-12), however the differs between countries. For undergraduate degrees at Malmo University, the English language requirement is the equivalent of the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. Previous studies in English can also be accepted and you can demonstrate your English level through IELTS test results.

Full tuition fees for international students are around 235,000 SEK a year.

BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution – George Mason University

George Mason University in South Korea advertises it’s undergraduate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution as the first course of its kind in East Asia. The degree provides students with peace, conflict and leadership skills and the course teaches problem-solving workshops, mediation, negotiation and facilitation. The BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason also allows students to complete independent research into peace and conflict as well as join field practice trips in Asia and Europe. Required modules include conflict resolution techniques and practice, culture, identity, and conflict and community, as well as group and organizational conflict analysis and resolution. There are also opportunities to volunteer with diverse stakeholders, business, NGOs and leading academics, business leaders, NGOs, and public and private organizations around the world. The university prides itself in the diversity of its students.

George Mason University in Korea accesses applicants on their high school GPA and SAT or ACT scores. For international applicants, contact the university for equipment requirements. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to submit a personal statement with their application. This should be approximately 400 words. For non-native English speaker, George Mason also asses an applicant’s TOEFL scores.

Fees for the BA Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University in Korea are around 10,000 USD. On top of this is accommodation, living expenses and air fares if you coming from abroad. A range of scholarships are available, up to 7,500 USD. New students applying for scholarships usually need to submit an essay and pass an interview.

Peacebuilding and Development Major – Eastern Mennonite University

The Peacebuilding and Development Major at Eastern Mennonite University aims for students to critique the global challenges to peacebuilding and encourages students to gain an understanding of constructive social change.  The bachelor’s degree includes core modules on exploring conflict and peace, theories of social change, peacebuilding theory and action and global development. Students also undertake practical modules including on project management and grant writing, program evaluation and social policy analysis. There is also the opportunity for students to further their practical skills and training through a semester-long internship. The Major in Peacebuilding and Development at Eastern Mennonite University can be accompanied by modules in supporting theories such as in economics and politics or bible, religion and theology.

For the Peace and Development Major at Eastern Mennonite University, applicants need to complete an online application form and submit high school transcripts. For International students to receive an unconditional offer they need the equivalent of SAT (#5181): Critical Reading 460, Math 460, Combined 980, TOEFL/iBT (#5181): 79 or higher and IELTS: 6.5 or higher. There are also additional requirements and the university states lower scores may be accepted.

The cost of studying Peace and Development at Eastern Mennonite University is around 38,850 USD a year. There is also room and board and general charges that need to be added too. However, Eastern Mennonite University advertise that 100% students receives some financial aid. The university has an extensive list of honorary, academic and endowed scholarships to support students.

Conflict Resolution Major Bachelor of ArtsAuckland University of Technology

The Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand offers a bachelor of arts major in conflict resolution. Students gain an understanding of the cause of conflicts and develop practical techniques to resolve them. The course has three core modules: communication, knowledge and inquiry and culture and society. Students can also take elective papers in diversity, power and discrimination, conflict resolution and human rights and war and peace. The final full semester of the degree is dedicated to work experience. Pervious students have completed this with Aotearoa NZ Peace and Conflict Studies Centre Trust and Human Rights Foundation. Studying the bachelors in Conflict Resolution at AUT allows students to explore varied approaches to conflict whilst building an understanding of human right and peace settlements.

The entry requirements for the conflict resolution bachelors at AUT for New Zealand students involve meeting numeracy and literacy levels. For international students also need to show evidence of your English language ability.

Fees for students from New Zealand are around 7,000 NZD and international students’ fees are around 30,000 NZ. AUT has a database of scholarships that can be applied for.

Peace and Conflict Studies – University of the Fraser Valley

The four-year bachelors in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley, USA, provides students with an applied program with enthesis on analysing conflict and peace strategies. The degree teaches the theory of peacebuilding and how it applies in real world contexts. Students are encouraged to think critically as global citizens and to develop analytical skills related to conflict and inter-cultural dialogue. The course also provides in-depth case studies to expand analysis to global contexts. The Peace and Conflict Studies bachelors at UFV also allows students to learn directly from leading international peace practitioners, develop employment skills and engage in peacebuilding field work. To increase graduate’s employability, UFV offers additional specialised qualifications in subjects such as languages, logistics, urban planning, accountancy and nursing.

Applicants to the bachelors in Peace and Conflict Studies at UFV must provide high school transcripts or equivalent. Non-native English speakers need to have either a TOEFL score of 88 or higher, a IELTS score above 6.5 or a CAEL score above 70. The university provides a full list of entry requirements, including other accepted English language qualifications, on their website. UFV charges a 150 CAD application fee.

UFV estimates costs for the Peace and Conflict Studies Bachelors to be around 9,770 CAD. This includes tuition fees of around 7,560 CAD (for 12 credits), as well as medical insurance and other costs. Additional credits are charged at 430 CAD. UFV offer a range of scholarships, including entry scholarships of 20,000 CAD for ten top international applicants and 5,000 CAD for a further 30 top applicants. There are also scholarships for domestic Canadian students.

Peace, War, and Defence Major, B.A. – University of North Carolina, USA

The Peace, War and Defence undergraduate major at the University of North Carolina combines a number of disciplines to provide students with a range of approaches to issues of human conflict, national and global security and defence. Graduates of the degree will have a contextual understanding of the major concepts and theory, as well as of the history of war and peace. The BA in Peace, War and Defence at the University of North Caroline has core modules on the global history of war, the ethics of peace, war and defence and an introduction to peace and security studies. Elective modules include an introduction to economics, the world since 1945 and an Introduction to social ethics and political thought. Students can also earn credits completing internships at organisations related to national and international security.

Entry requirement for the BA in Peace, War and Defence for a US national include at least a 2.5 weighted high school grade point average or a minimum test score on either the ACT (19) or the SAT (1010). International students should contact the university for admission requirements.

The University of North Carolina charges fees related to the number of teaching hours taken. For full time courses this goes up to around 18,000 USD. The university offers a range of scholarships and financial support for students which is coordinated through their scholarship’s office and student aid.