Conflict Transformation & Social Justice

This is a unique and innovative interdisciplinary programme taught through subject areas that include politics and international relations, law, anthropology, history, philosophy, sociology and the creative arts. Module choice within the programme will permit you to build your own personalised portfolio of knowledge and learning within the area of conflict transformation and social justice. You will be taught by academics and practitioners whose expertise in conflict transformation is both national and global and who offer research-led teaching on Europe, Asia, and South America.



Queen's University offers the only global interdisciplinary MA programme on Conflict Transformation and Social Justice.

Core Modules

Dissertation (60 credits)

APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN (20 credits)



Optional Modules

Conflict Intervention (20 credits)

Global Political Economy (20 credits)

Cultural Policy: International Perspectives (20 credits)

Inequality and Emotions (10 credits)

Social Divisions, Conflict and Change in Northern Ireland: New Sociological Research (10 credits)

Contemporary Security (20 credits)

Global Concepts and Practice of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice (20 credits)

Transitional Justice (20 credits)

Comparative Human Rights (20 credits)

Religion, Power and Peacebuilding (20 credits)

Anthropology of Conflict: Ireland and Beyond (20 credits)

Social Injustice (20 credits)

A Sociology of Extremism in the Global Age (20 credits)

Global Migration, Diaspora and Citizenship (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally at least a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences discipline or another cognate subject area.



Applicants with a degree below 2.2 Honours (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) may be admitted if they hold a Master's degree, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, or if they have 3 years' relevant working experience in the field of conflict transformation, youth work, social justice or related experience in community engagement or public service delivery.



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 14th August 2026 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

1 year (Full Time), 3 years (Part Time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

Our MA will equip you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a range of careers in the private, public and voluntary sectors, domestically and internationally, including working in peacebuilding organisations, charities, international development agencies, journalism, social and community work, dispute resolution, counselling, policing, politics and policy development, law, teaching, religious ministry, research, and doctoral study/academia.



Our MA can help you gain the skills and knowledge that can lead to meaningful work in range of fields, all over the world.



Our MA can also be useful as an aspect of continuing professional development for those already working in careers in social and community work, politics and policy making, teaching, policing, religious ministry, advocacy, and journalism.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/



Employment after the Course

Our MA can help you gain the skills and knowledge that can lead to meaningful work in a range of fields, all over the world.



You may follow in the footsteps of some of our alumni, who are building careers in restorative justice, equality advocacy, international diplomacy (embassy work), the United Nations, Law school and doctoral programmes, policing, peacebuilding organisations, and organisations working with victims of human trafficking.



Our MA can also be useful as an aspect of continuing professional development for those already working in careers in social and community work, politics and policy making, teaching, policing, religious ministry, the victims sector, and journalism.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/



Professional Opportunities

The study and employability skills associated with the MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice include:

• Group work

• Independent learning

• The collection and analysis of information

• Research skills

• Problem solving

• Communication skills: oral, written and presentation skills

• Working under time constraints and to deadline