MA Conflict, Governance and Global Development
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
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Course Overview
Gain comprehensive knowledge in the field of politics and international development and equip yourself with the necessary skills to navigate this highly relevant research area.
You'll specialise in issues of conflict, peace and governance as you discover the challenges faced by states experiencing endemic political instability, violent civil conflict, gross human rights abuses and acute crises of governance.
This course adopts a unique interdisciplinary approach, making it a rewarding choice. Here, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to excellence and to making a difference on a local, national, and global scale.
You will focus on and critically assess the political development goals of sustainable peace, good governance and stable democracy. You'll draw on different theoretical approaches and a diverse set of empirical examples throughout your degree programme. You will be challenged to consider alternative suggestions for establishing peace and inclusive, durable democracies.
Key topics include the possible definitions, arguable causes and consequences of democracy; the political, social and economic effects of different political regimes and institutions; and the typically contested origins of violent intrastate conflicts as well as the suggestions that have been made to help overcome them.
Study and Modules
Structure
Core modules will cover issues of democracy, governance, civil wars, peace and development perspectives. You'll also be free to choose from a range of optional modules covering topics such as contemporary world development, international economic policy, media and international development, perspectives on globalisation, and water security for development – allowing you to focus on the areas that interest you the most.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
You will have a minimum of 10 hours in the classroom every week, typically distributed across two-hour lectures, one-hour seminars and occasional workshops. The type and duration of these sessions can vary depending on the module and topic covered each week.
Lectures go beyond the customary ‘chalk-and-talk’ approach, and include a range of interactive tasks and activities. The use of technology is also widespread, including the use of online reading and other course materials.
Through seminar group work and presentations, you'll be able to develop transferable skills such as articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting academic information in a lucid and cogent manner.
Independent study
You will spend at least 30 hours in independent study each week. This gives you the chance to prepare for in-class sessions and assignments.
Assessment
Your core modules will be largely assessed on the basis of written assignments, while verbal contributions will be key for students’ formative learning. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.
You'll receive verbal feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument orally. You'll receive oral or written feedback on formative and summative coursework assignments.
If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, please talk to our Student Support Services about how we can help.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- UK 2.1 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- Social Science
- English Foreign Language
We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
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IELTS: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in only two components with 6.0 in the others)
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PTE (Pearson): 64 (minimum 59 in only two components with 64 in the others)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests
INTO University of East Anglia
INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study one of the International Graduate Diploma programmes offered by our partner INTO UEA. These programmes guarantee progression to selected masters degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details please click here:
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2023/24 are:
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UK Students: £9,650 (full time)
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International Students: £19,800 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Upon completing your MA, you can pursue a variety of potential careers both in and beyond international development.
Depending on your degree outcome, you'll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to continuing to an academic career both in the UK and overseas.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
A career in international development can take you in all kinds of directions such as:
- International organisations
- Governmental and non-governmental organisations
- Local governments
- Private sector
- PhD programmes
- Previous graduates have gone on to work for the British High Commission in Ghana, UNITAR in Japan, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and PhD studies in related fields.