MSc Violence, Conflict and Development

Who gains from situations of conflict? In what ways can violence affect development? What are the challenges to post-conflict reconstruction? This pioneering MSc Violence, Conflict and Development programme explores the complex links between violent conflict and development, both historically and today.

This programme examines the analytical, political and policy relationships between violence, conflict and development. The core module addresses empirical trends, difficulties of data collection and the importance of categorisation and boundaries to matters of violence. It goes on to present foundational theories on conflict and violence, including gender perspectives, debates about the origins of human violence (anthropological, historical, psychological sources of violence) and the role of violence in historical change.

The focus then shifts to the means, mechanisms and markers of violence, including themes related to boundaries, war economies, inequality, land and the environment. This provides the basis for analysing interventions in violent conflict including humanitarian aid, conflict resolution and reconstruction.

Why study MSc Violence, Conflict and Development at SOAS?

• We are ranked 3rd in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2024)
• There is also the opportunity to take virtual work placements. This year MSc students taking the International Development Placement module were offered placements at the Overseas Development Institute, ISEAL, and MSF. (Numbers in this module are capped to 75 students due to limited availability)
• Our staff specialise in a range of thematic areas including sustainability and climate change, migration and displacement, conflict, humanitarian action, labour, political ecology, and aid and institutions

Who should apply

We welcome those who have worked in the field of development and/or conflict, but we also accept applications from students without relevant work experience who can demonstrate a strong interest in the major themes of the programme and a strong first degree, preferably in a social science.

Global Partnerships

This programme can be offered as part of a dual masters degree with Johns Hopkins SAIS.

Through the dual masters, students can spend the first year studying at SAIS and second year at SOAS or vice versa and gain a Masters award from each institution. For more information and eligible programmes included in the dual masters, please see the SOAS-SAIS partnership on the Global Partnerships website.

A degree from the Department of Development Studies at SOAS will further develop your understanding of the world and how society is organised, with specific focus on violence and conflict, the role of aid, refugees and forced migration. Graduates leave with a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, analytical skills and cultural awareness.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

• Amnesty International
• BBC World Service
• British Embassy Brussels
• Department for International Development
• Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
• Embassy of Japan
• Government of Pakistan
• Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• KPMG LLP
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
• National Health and Medical Research Council
• Overseas Development Institute
• Oxfam
• Royal Norwegian Embassy
• Save the Children UK
• The World Bank
• Thinking Beyond Borders
• US Department of State
• UN World Food Programme
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees
• WaterAid

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