Conflict, Security and Development MSc

By analysing real-life cases from around the world, with a particular focus on the African continent, this programme explores the connections between conflict, security, and development from an interdisciplinary perspective based in the social science.

Conflicts across the planet have devastating effects on people’s lives, and policymakers are increasingly recognising that conflict and development are interlinked. How can we fully understand these relationships? And how can developing our understanding protect more people from the tragic impact of conflict?

The Conflict, Security and Development MSc programme takes a global view of the topic with a particular emphasis on Africa, drawing on the unique interdisciplinary expertise of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre of African Studies (CAS) which hosts the programme.

The programme focuses on:

• the intersection of conflict, security and development, both conceptually and in practice
• critically exploring the notion that security is a precondition for development and that development leads to security

The programme is rooted in cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural learning, offering opportunities for experiential learning within related sectors, including the option to choose a policy-focused dissertation.

Through links with policymakers and practitioners, you will have opportunities to develop practical skills and relevant experience to prepare for careers in security and development.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject such as politics, international relations, international development, anthropology, area studies, and international studies.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

This programme is extremely relevant if you are seeking employment in:

• government agencies
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• international organisations (United Nations, World Bank, etc.)
• humanitarian organisations
• research institutes
• the public sector
• think tanks
• academia