Peace Studies (Full-time) (MA)
The MA in Peace Studies is a unique programme, offering a rare opportunity in the English-speaking world to focus on the critical skills and insights needed to promote global peace. This course is designed for those who want to make a difference in a changing world by understanding what true global peace means and how it can be achieved in our modern, complex society.
Throughout the programme, students explore what makes for lasting peace, diving into topics like peacefulness and social justice. The course examines the impact of inequality, political systems, and environmental challenges on peace. With these insights, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of why peace requires more than just the absence of conflict. Instead, true peace demands holistic well-being, or supporting the needs of people in all aspects of life, as well as good governance that reflects fairness, transparency, and respect for all communities.
Another core part of the programme is the focus on ecological integrity. Climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation are major challenges in the pursuit of peace today. This course helps you understand how protecting our natural world plays a role in creating stability and reducing conflict. By learning about the positive conceptions of peace, you’ll be equipped to approach peacebuilding in innovative ways, keeping social and environmental needs in balance.
The global nature of building peace is another essential part of this course. Peacebuilding isn’t limited to any one region or group but involves learning from different cultures and communities worldwide. With this knowledge, students become aware of how peace efforts are linked, from local community projects to international agreements.
In this programme, you’ll study how peace and stability are built in complex and dynamic contexts. Modern conflicts are rarely simple; they are deeply rooted in history, politics, and identity. Understanding these elements is essential for anyone interested in resolving disputes and supporting communities to move forward. You will be introduced to methods that have been used successfully in diverse settings, helping you develop the skills needed for meaningful work in peace and development fields.
This MA course provides a valuable foundation for careers in international relations, community work, government, and many areas that require a knowledge of global peace and social justice. With dedicated support from our experienced faculty, this programme allows you to gain both the knowledge and confidence to engage with the complex challenges facing our world.
Course details
- Full-time
- Distance Learning
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The Peace Studies MA at UWTSD offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that redefines peace as more than simply the absence of conflict. Instead, it emphasises an understanding of positive peace—values and principles that support lasting harmony and social well-being. This approach enables students to tackle essential questions about community dynamics, institutional practices, public policies, and structural factors that collectively foster a more peaceful world.
The course is administered by the Global Humanity for Peace (GHfP) Institute, a UNESCO-designated entity known for its expertise in positive peace and pioneering work in collective healing, intergenerational dialogue, and peacebuilding. Students benefit from access to GHfP resources, including workshops, seminars, and opportunities to learn from renowned Professors of Practice and leaders in international peace efforts.
The programme is tailored to meet students’ personal and professional aspirations, encouraging in-depth research across various fields, including dialogue studies, well-being, historical trauma and collective healing, conflict transformation, spirituality, harmony, ecology, and global citizenship. Students develop critical skills to analyse and make meaningful contributions to issues they care about, whether in public policy, grassroots organisations, or international peace initiatives.
The course culminates in a final Dissertation, where students integrate their learning to demonstrate their understanding and apply their research skills to a significant topic in peace studies.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(60 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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2:2 honours degree 
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Alternative entry routes 
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Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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- Essays
- Group projects
- Dissertation
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.