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International Peace Studies

International Peace Studies students are immersed in an interdisciplinary cutting-edge course of study that examines the causes and consequences of war and armed conflict, with a view to understanding how to achieve sustainable peace. Students on this Master's (M.Phil.) course can apply for an internship - learn more in our guide below.

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International Peace Studies students are immersed in an interdisciplinary cutting-edge course of study that examines the causes and consequences of war and armed conflict, with a view to understanding how to achieve sustainable peace. Lecturers draw on inter-disciplinary perspectives from politics and political science, international relations, philosophy, sociology, ethics and conflict resolution, allowing students to engage critically with the social, political and economic issues associated with peace and violence. Topics include:

* The Politics of Peace and Conflict

* Research Methods

* Forced Displacement, Conflict and Peacebuilding

* Conflict Resolution & Negotiation Across Worldviews

* Human Rights

* UN and Conflict Resolution

* Gender in War and Peace

* Internship Module.

Internship

Download the Internship Information Guide.

Field Trips

The course provides students with the opportunity to engage with those working in conflict resolution and peace-building, by providing an internship module, field trips to Belfast and UN Geneva and various guest lectures from experienced diplomats and NGO officials throughout the year.

Pre-arrival Information

Download a pre-arrival guide for International Students.

In the News

Visit the School news page for the latest Peace Studies news, and see our Peace Studies students reflect on the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement at a recent event to mark the 25th anniversary on the Long Room Hub news page.

2024-25 Fees

EU Students

Full-time over 1 year €9,800

Part-time over 2 years €6,410

Non-EU Students

Full-time over 1 year €18,180

Part-time over 2 years €10,820

What our Students Say

Rashid Mojeeb, International Organization for Migration - United Nations (UN-IOM) Dublin office

I was privileged to have the opportunity to study my Master’s degree in International Peace Studies. I was delighted to be a member of a team that was dynamic and diverse. Through my Master’s studies, I was exposed to modules such as Politics of Peace and Conflict, Human rights in theory and practice, United Nations and Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping, among others. Through this course, I was able to improve and enhance my knowledge of organizational development and capacity building, strategic and policy support, global health and development, human intervention, sanctions, peace dialogues, UN bodies and policies, working on case studies, writing reports, enhancing interpersonal communication skills, etc. It was instrumental in securing my employment at International Organization for Migration - United Nations (UN-IOM) in their Dublin office.

Emma O’Callaghan

Although we could not complete the programme in person due to Covid-19, this masters was insightful and comprehensive because of the passion and dedication of the lecturers, who were always there to answer any questions. The completion of the dissertation was a highlight for me, due to the passion of my supervisor who inspired me throughout my research. I was also afforded the incredible internship opportunity with UNICEF Dublin where I put the theoretical knowledge I had learned throughout the first semester of this programme into practice and gained hands-on experience in the NGO sector. I am so glad I completed this masters and would highly recommend it to anyone considering applying.

Adam Randera, African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), a CSO that works throughout Africa in peacebuilding and related fields.

I currently work in the field of conflict transformation and peacebuilding and it is thanks to the skills and knowledge I gained from the MPhil in International Peace Studies that I feel my work can have an actual improving impact on the world. The course gave me a grounding in conflict awareness, and more importantly, an awareness of the drivers and dynamics of building and sustaining peace, that has proved invaluable to me in understanding both the barriers in the way of just and peaceful societies, and the steps that can be taken to overcome these. The modules gave me a solid practical grounding, but I also regularly apply the concepts and theories I was introduced to in my everyday work.

Jean Baptiste Niypngabo

The MPhil in International Peace Studies, Trinity College Dublin has been for me a mind-opener for deeper understanding of the interaction between theory and practice. Before I took the course I worked as passionate peacebuilder and human rights activist but my work often lacked an in-depth analysis grounded on academic theories and the real life experience. After completing the course, my focus today is to build the capacities of Action for Peace and Development, local NGO I cofounded in 2012 as our aim is to turn it into a research and study centre in the fields of peace, conflict, human rights and development.

Read more IPS Student Testimonials

Scholarships

The Irish School of Ecumenics Trust will make the following scholarship available:

  • International Peace Studies M.Phil. (IPS) - €2,000 (1 scholarship)

There is no separate application process. All incoming students who have accepted a firm offer by 25 July in the intended year of entry will be considered. For further details please contact srpostgrad@tcd.ie.

Find out more about Postgraduate Scholarships.