Why Study Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation in Belfast:

• Join a specialist centre at one of the world's leading universities;
• Study and live in Northern Ireland with researchers who have worked on many of the world’s most complex conflicts including: Northern Ireland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, El Salvador, Guatemala, Israel/Palestine, and Sri Lanka;
• Develop interdisciplinary research skills in politics, sociology, social research, theology and ethics;
• Learn practical skills from organisations at the forefront of the field, including the opportunity for ‘service learning’ in local conflict transformation initiatives;   
• Contribute to an active, diverse, and international student community with a passion for ideas and a love of learning;
• Benefit from intensive study formats designed for those who combine their studies with work commitments or travel requirements.

Click here for more information...

Student Testimonials...

Alan McGovern 2011-13 - Ireland

Prior to enrolling for the MPhil. in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation programme I sheepishly explored the internet looking at what programme would best suit my needs. I browsed through many internet pages and picked out three highly regarded colleges. I contacted these colleges to try and get a personal feel for where I would be studying over the next couple of years. I was disappointed as I came away from each phone call with the same feeling. This was a feeling that I was only another potential number on their system and that part time students were not really a priority.

I decided to try once more and this has turned out to be a fantastic decision. Having read up on the outline of the MPhil. in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation I contacted TCD Belfast for the same reason I contacted the other three colleges. The difference between this phone call and my previous three was phenomenal. From my first contact with the staff at TCD Belfast to this date I have always felt welcome. I have felt part of a unique group, more than a number, notwithstanding the fact that I am a part time student I am extremely satisfied with every aspect of TCD Belfast. I have highly recommended TCD Belfast to my work colleagues and friends and I will continue to do so.

The full time lecturers and guest lecturers at TCD Belfast have displayed exceptionally high standards in relation to the quality of education delivery. The modus operandi, vis-à-vis delivery of the course on an intensive module style basis, has enabled a greater opportunity for part time students. The awareness and understanding of the students’ needs seems to be always at the core. It is very much a participative process which gives the student a sense of ownership of the whole process. Having completed six of the modules and the required assignments I can recall how fatigued I was both physically and emotionally after each module. It is only now I am actually thinking how the lecturer (s) must have felt. Nonetheless the standard of teaching is of a quality I have never seen before and it never waned from the start of each module to the end.

The facilities at TCD Belfast are more than adequate. The library has a good collection of books in the areas relevant to TCD Belfast student needs and is much easier to navigate than the extensive libraries at Trinity College and Queens University libraries. The classroom facilities are excellent and the modules which take place away from TCD Belfast, such as Conflict Transformation and Conflict Resolution Skills, also offer fantastic facilities. From my experience with other institutions TCD Belfast is without doubt the best at distributing relevant information. The notes are delivered meticulously and in good time prior to each module. The notes include essential and further reading as well as class notes and power point notes. This is an excellent tactic regarding information dissemination as it gives each student an opportunity to research the relevant information required without increasing students stress levels by forcing them to rush to get the books in the library before their fellow students get there first. For me this has been the difference between coming to class prepared and coming half prepared.

Adelina Stuparu 2012-13 - Romania

The MPhil. in Conflict Resolution at ISE stood out for me when I applied because of the great balance between theory and practice. Unlike most other courses of its kind, here you have the opportunity to learn the theory in the classroom, do an internship with a local organisation, and most importantly, experience a post conflict setting, and observe the fragility of peace agreements.  The course itself is mainly made up of intensive modules, which means you have to be prepared to do a lot of individual study. In terms of where to study, you have quite a few good options: at ISE during the day time, in the Linen Hall library, or if you prefer studying late at night you can also use the Queen’s library to study and borrow books. Living in Belfast has been great. It has all the advantages of living in a big city though you can walk to most places. There are a few good museums, pubs with live music, lovely cafes, and my favourite place to go: Queen’s Film Theatre. 

Carla Mueller 2010-11 - US

I began the course as a career change after being a secondary teacher and counsellor for 9 years. Moving from the very big and busy Los Angeles to a much smaller Belfast has been a joy–I absolutely love living here and being part of this community. It’s been challenging to adjust to being a full time student after being in the workplace for so long, but it’s been exciting to find that I can do it, especially in the very supportive environment created by ISE lecturers, staff, and classmates. Since I come from a different field, I was initially concerned about how much I would need to "catch up," but I found that I was very comfortable to go at my own pace with the help of the ISE team throughout the year. There is a positive spirit at the school, a sense that we are all in this together. People encourage each other and offer support and help to one another. This refreshing lack of competitiveness brings out the best in each of us and encourages strong friendships as we each do our personal best.

ISE is also remarkable in that it brings us into contact with many of the local and international leaders in the field. As students we have incredible opportunities and many resources within reach here in Belfast. Also, the diversity of students means people bring many perspectives to the discussions in this unique academic setting. Together we celebrate our successes and respect the variety of interests in the class, whether we personally share them or not.  We are encouraged through the courses to weave our personal and professional experiences into our discoveries. A primary reason I chose the program was because it would enable me to integrate and academically engage my Christian faith into the course work. Religion and faith are treated as real elements in the complexity of conflict, and we are challenged to explore the roles they play in conflict, conflict transformation, and reconciliation.

What’s next for me? I’m returning to LA to coordinate a programme that takes former gang members to Congo (DRC) for 6 months to equip them to be leaders and advocates for peace in their communities. It’s an opportunity I couldn’t have imagined before studying at ISE.

Colleen Doherty 2010-11 - US

The opportunity to study at ISE Belfast is an amazing one – living and learning in a post-conflict environment is an irreplaceable experience. I have made connections with people from all walks of life, including those who have lived through the conflict and are dealing with its aftermath, as well as others from around the world who are interested in learning from it. The classroom and residential experiences offered by ISE and its partners are not only great in an academic sense, but have made a profound impact upon me personally. Belfast is a very culturally interesting and stimulating environment in which to live – there are many different activities to participate in including dance and language classes, pubs and clubs, cafes, and more. In Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland there are also a great many options available for tourism. This program and city have shown me first-hand the complexities of conflict resolution and reconciliation, a learning process which has strengthened me academically, personally and professionally.

Barbara Hart 2010-11 -US

The ISE programme offers a dynamic learning environment with extraordinary opportunities to gain insight and understanding into the complex process of reconciliation in post conflict societies. Living in Belfast serves as a rare immersion program. Being present as political, social and cultural changes occur provides amazing access to the conversations about how change unfolds. It has been humbling and significantly rewarding to live and study in a community engaged in the transition from violent conflict to fragile and fragmented peace. I know these experiences have greatly enhanced my capacity as a mediator and will make me a more patient conflict resolution practitioner.

Trinity College Dublin is recognised internationally as Ireland's premier university and is ranked in 52nd position in the top 100 world universities and 14th position in the top 200 European universities by the QS World University Rankings 2010. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2010, TCD is ranked 76th in the top 200 world universities and 15th in the top European universities.