International Conflict and Security MA

The International Conflict and Security MA at the Brussels School of International Studies (BSIS) is structured to introduce you to the key concepts and theories necessary to understand the features of contemporary international conflict studies and security issues.

At the same time, it gives the opportunity, through practical and case study-driven modules, to learn about conflict prevention and early warning, as well as the appropriate ways of managing conflicts peacefully through negotiation and mediation.

The programme also provides you with training specific to working in the field of conflict analysis, such as preparing reports on specific conflicts or security issues, drafting recommendations for policymakers, or mediating between conflicting parties. The programme is constantly updated to introduce fresh insights from the theory of conflict and innovative policy strategies as developed in the field by practitioners and academics alike.

An ideal subject for those who may have previously worked in conflict zones, or have an interest in how the theories of international relations cuts across the study of conflict, conflict resolution and security issues. Alongside your studies, you will have access to many additional external lectures, conferences and seminars, or via an internship with an organisation such as NATO. The teaching is delivered by academics and enhanced by practitioners - experts in their field combining theory with contemporary case studies bringing the latest global conflicts to the classroom.

Standard and extended versions 

The MA is offered in both a standard version (90 ECTS credits) and an extended version (120 ECTS credits) and in each case students may take the programme with or without a secondary specialisation. Those on the extended version take more modules to gain extra credit.

To be awarded the standard MA (90 ECTS), you must take three modules from the list for International Conflict and Security and a further three modules from the full list of modules offered at BSIS. For the extended MA (120 ECTS), you must take four modules from the list for International Conflict and Security and a further five modules from the full list of modules offered at BSIS.

Modules

The following modules are offered to our current students on the MA International Conflict and Security programme. At BSIS, you have a wide range of optional modules to choose from and this can be within your chosen degree, or as part of a secondary specialisation (for more information on specialisations, please see below.) This list of modules is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation:

POLI9330 - Theories of Conflict and Violence*

POLI9340 - Conflict and Security*

LAWS8610 - Law of Armed Conflict

POLI9551 - Human Security in Forced Migration

POLI8481 - Negotiation and Mediation

Modules marked with * are compulsory.

Students may not be registered on more than 3 modules per term (full-time) or 1 or 2 modules (part-time) and each module will run in either Autumn or Spring. 

On this programme you may not take more than three law modules (standard) or four law modules (extended).

Specialisations

The MA in International Conflict and Security allows you to choose secondary areas of specialisation from the range of programmes offered at BSIS. This leads to the award of an MA degree in, for example, 'International Conflict and Security with Human Rights Law'.

To include a secondary area of focus on the standard programme, you must choose three modules from the list for MA International Conflict and Security, two modules from one of the programmes listed below (your secondary area of study) and one module from the full list of modules offered at BSIS. 

For the extended programme, you must choose four modules from the list for MA International Conflict and Security, three modules from one of the programmes listed below (your secondary area of study) and two modules from the full list of modules offered at BSIS.

• with Human Rights Law
• with International Development
• with International Law
• with International Migration
• with International Relations
• with Political Strategy and Communication
• with Foreign Policy (available as a secondary specialisation only)
  • Modules on Foreign Policy include:
    • Foreign Policy Analysis
    • International Politics of the Asia-Pacific
    • Politics in the Middle East
    • African Politics
    • Russia in International Affairs

On both the standard and extended programme, you must also submit a dissertation on a topic in Human Rights Law and complete the methodology module Fundamentals, Dissertation and Research.

Postgraduate resources

Students have access to excellent e-library facilities online via the Templeman library in Canterbury; inter-library loans within Belgium; 50,000 online journals are also available off-campus. Students also have outstanding access to libraries in Brussels, such as at our partner universities Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Université Libre de Bruxelles, the Royal Library of Belgium, among others. The School’s resources include a dedicated selection of more than 1,000 key texbooks on the subject of international affairs and law. In addition, postgraduate research students have their own designated room with computer terminals and access to wi-fi in all areas at the Brussels centre.

Dynamic publishing culture

Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. The Brussels School produces its own journal, The Brussels Journal of International Studies, which was founded in 2003. Details of recently published books can be found within the staff research interests section.

Global Skills Award

All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.