Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA
Key information
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
1 year FT / 2 years PT, September to September
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180 / ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
The Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA offers a multidisciplinary, comparative study of national, ethnic and religious conflicts in deeply divided societies. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skillset needed to pursue conflict resolution as a career, working in NGOs, humanitarian agencies, diplomacy, think tanks, academia, consultancy, journalism, and law. You will learn how conflict can be resolved peacefully through a range of tools like complex constitutional engineering, truth and reconciliation processes, and grassroots movements. The MA focuses on case studies from the Middle East and around the world, bringing to life the theoretical literature on the causes and consequences of conflict, conflict regulation, and peace processes.
Key benefits
- Learn about the relationship between religion, identity, and ethnic conflict; international diplomacy, power-sharing, and conflict resolution; truth and reconciliation, memory, and post conflict transformation.
- Learn how to shape and change futures and maintain existing conflict resolution infrastructures.
- Interact with leading practitioners from a range of institutions, such as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the British Council, the media, and civil society organisations.
- Build strong intellectual and methodological foundations for further research, including skills for archival research as well as qualitative research methodologies for the social sciences.
- Study a well-established degree taught by the world-renowned experts from the Department of War Studies whose courses are research led and policy relevant.
- Engage with the latest debates on conflict resolution through regular public lectures organised by the department and its research clusters.
- Join a global network of alumni working in positions in media, diplomacy, think tanks, academia, consultancy, journalism, humanitarian agencies, NGOs and law.
The Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA offers a multidisciplinary, comparative study of national, ethnic and religious conflicts in deeply divided societies. You will learn about topics such as the dynamics of nationalism, sectarianism and identity; the role of civil society in peace processes, truth and reconciliation commissions; and the role of collective memory. You will begin with a core module on conflict and coexistence in divided societies, before choosing from a variety of optional modules to tailor your expertise. For example, you could specialise in the Middle East and learn about its divided cities and contested states and the international politics of the region. You could choose to study broader topics such as diplomacy and foreign policy, state failure and state building, and trans-disciplinary approaches to (in)security. Or you could focus on power-sharing agreements, transitional justice and international criminal law, and comparative civil laws. Teaching will be brought to life through the review of case studies on conflicts in Northern Ireland, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bosnia and Israel-Palestine. This degree can be taken as part of a joint arrangement with our partner institution, Sciences Po that offers a graduate programme in International Affairs. Please see the Teaching & Structure tab above for more information.
Base campuses
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
Minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree in such an appropriate subject as International Relations, War Studies, History, Political Science, Strategic Studies, Criminology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Theology. Applications from students with first degree in other areas, including science, language, and journalism, are also welcome. In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
Candidates who do not achieve a 2:1 but have professional or voluntary experience will also be considered.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
B
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
Your application will be assessed by the programme's admissions committee. We aim to process all complete applications within four to six weeks of receiving all the required documents, though during February and March applications may take longer due to the volume we receive at this time.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). In your personal statement you should explain fully your motivation for applying to the MA Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies at King's, and how you believe it will contribute to your own intellectual and professional development. You should also explain how you believe your own experience and qualifications would make you well placed to benefit from this MA programme. If you have identified a likely dissertation topic at the time of applying, you may also use part of the personal statement to briefly outline your research ideas. |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you. |
| Other | Optional | You may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures
Seminars
Self-Study
Check out further information about our War Studies courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.
Visit our Subject Area pages for content, news and events about the Centre for the Study of Divided Societies.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic workload might look like as you progress through your studies:
| Module | Lectures, seminars and feedback | Self-study |
| Per 15 credit module | 20 hours of teaching. Typically, 2 hours per week over one 10-week term. This can be split into lectures and seminars. A 30-credit module will be double this. | 130 hours |
| Dissertation module (60 credits) | Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision. | 588 hours |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours work.
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses. Our location in the heart of London means that you will have access to Unrivalled collections at the British Library, while the King’s College Library’s Special Collections possesses the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s complete book collection until 1968 on permanent loan. You can also take advantage of London’s policy, academic and thinktank networks and its journalistic hub.
This programme can be taken as part of the partnership between Kings College London and Sciences PO that allows participating students to study for two years, with a year in both Paris and London. On completion of the programme, graduates receive a master's degree from the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po (PSIA), and a master's degree from King's College London. Spanning a wide range of disciplines, this selective programme allows students to customise their training at both universities, and to benefit from the numerous opportunities, networks and services offered on both sides of the Channel.
For further information about the programme, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply, please visit the Paris School of International Affairs’ website.
Assessment
- Essays
- Individual & Group Presentations
- Exercises
- Seminar participation
- Exams
- Dissertation
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. Assessment patterns vary between modules but forms of assessment typically include essays, individual and group presentations, exercises and exams.
The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required modules
You are required to take the following modules:
Dissertation (60 Credits)
Conflict & Coexistence in Divided Societies (45 credits)
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include:
Culture, Religion and Identity in Contemporary Conflicts (15 credits)
Divided Cities, Contested States: Urban Violence and Transformation in the Middle East (15 credits)
Power-Sharing Agreements in Deeply Divided Societies (15 credits)
Contemporary War & Warfare (30 credits)
Comparative Civil Wars (30 credits)
State Failure & State Building (15 credits)
Transitional Justice & International Criminal Law (15 credits)
International Politics of the Middle East (30 credits)
Diplomacy & Foreign Policy (30 Credits)
The list of options above is not exhaustive. King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to respond to student demand as well as to provide up to date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. The optional modules available change each year and are therefore only made accessible to enrolled students during the module allocation period. At the start of the programme, you will be asked to select a number of optional modules (more than you are required to take) in preference order. The department will then allocate you the required number of optional credits, endeavouring to give all students as many of their top choices as possible. Please note that, due to limited spaces on each module, we are unable to guarantee that you will be allocated a place on any particular optional module or modules. Part-time students in their first year of study will take Conflict & Coexistence in Divided Societies (45 credits) and up to 45 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will write your Dissertation (60 credits) and take optional modules adding up to the remaining credits. Please note: Teaching for part-time students in the Department of War Studies is scheduled between the hours of 9 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday. Individual student timetables are dependent on the modules chosen and vary each year so we are unable to provide these in advance. Timetables are usually released in mid-September following enrolment.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Our graduates take the skills that they develop to become leaders in the public and private sectors, academia, government, diplomacy and journalism. Students on our MA courses have gone on to build careers in further academic research, NGOs, civil service, NATO, UN, media and publishing, finance and investment, teaching, and the armed forces.
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £19,550 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £9,775 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £17,900 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
- Library fees and fines.
- Personal photocopies.
- Printing course handouts.
- Society membership fees.
- Stationery.
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
- Graduation costs.
- Non-compulsory field trip fee and associated subsistence costs.
- Non-compulsory travel and subsistence costs for dissertation fieldwork in UK or abroad.
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
The Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA offers a multidisciplinary, comparative study of national, ethnic and religious conflicts in deeply divided societies. You will learn about topics such as the dynamics of nationalism, sectarianism and identity; the role of civil society in peace processes, truth and reconciliation commissions; and the role of collective memory. You will begin with a core module on conflict and coexistence in divided societies, before choosing from a variety of optional modules to tailor your expertise. For example, you could specialise in the Middle East and learn about its divided cities and contested states and the international politics of the region. You could choose to study broader topics such as diplomacy and foreign policy, state failure and state building, and trans-disciplinary approaches to (in)security. Or you could focus on power-sharing agreements, transitional justice and international criminal law, and comparative civil laws. Teaching will be brought to life through the review of case studies on conflicts in Northern Ireland, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bosnia and Israel-Palestine. This degree can be taken as part of a joint arrangement with our partner institution, Sciences Po that offers a graduate programme in International Affairs. Please see the Teaching & Structure tab above for more information.
Base campuses
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
Regulating bodies
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
UK applicants
Standard requirements
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Programme-Specific Requirements
Minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree in such an appropriate subject as International Relations, War Studies, History, Political Science, Strategic Studies, Criminology, Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Theology. Applications from students with first degree in other areas, including science, language, and journalism, are also welcome. In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
Candidates who do not achieve a 2:1 but have professional or voluntary experience will also be considered.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
B
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Selection process
Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
Your application will be assessed by the programme's admissions committee. We aim to process all complete applications within four to six weeks of receiving all the required documents, though during February and March applications may take longer due to the volume we receive at this time.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). In your personal statement you should explain fully your motivation for applying to the MA Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies at King's, and how you believe it will contribute to your own intellectual and professional development. You should also explain how you believe your own experience and qualifications would make you well placed to benefit from this MA programme. If you have identified a likely dissertation topic at the time of applying, you may also use part of the personal statement to briefly outline your research ideas. |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you. |
| Other | Optional | You may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application. |
Teaching methods - what to expect
Lectures
Seminars
Self-Study
Check out further information about our War Studies courses including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.
Visit our Subject Area pages for content, news and events about the Centre for the Study of Divided Societies.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
The following table will give you an idea of what a typical academic workload might look like as you progress through your studies:
| Module | Lectures, seminars and feedback | Self-study |
| Per 15 credit module | 20 hours of teaching. Typically, 2 hours per week over one 10-week term. This can be split into lectures and seminars. A 30-credit module will be double this. | 130 hours |
| Dissertation module (60 credits) | Up to 12 hours of online guidance, training workshops and personal supervision. | 588 hours |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours work.
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses. Our location in the heart of London means that you will have access to Unrivalled collections at the British Library, while the King’s College Library’s Special Collections possesses the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s complete book collection until 1968 on permanent loan. You can also take advantage of London’s policy, academic and thinktank networks and its journalistic hub.
This programme can be taken as part of the partnership between Kings College London and Sciences PO that allows participating students to study for two years, with a year in both Paris and London. On completion of the programme, graduates receive a master's degree from the Paris School of International Affairs of Sciences Po (PSIA), and a master's degree from King's College London. Spanning a wide range of disciplines, this selective programme allows students to customise their training at both universities, and to benefit from the numerous opportunities, networks and services offered on both sides of the Channel.
For further information about the programme, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply, please visit the Paris School of International Affairs’ website.
Assessment
- Essays
- Individual & Group Presentations
- Exercises
- Seminar participation
- Exams
- Dissertation
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations. Assessment patterns vary between modules but forms of assessment typically include essays, individual and group presentations, exercises and exams.
The dissertation module assessment will be based on a 100% dissertation assignment.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Structure
Courses are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required modules
You are required to take the following modules:
Dissertation (60 Credits)
Conflict & Coexistence in Divided Societies (45 credits)
Optional modules
In addition, you are required to take 75 credits from a range of optional modules offered by the Department of War Studies, which may typically include:
Culture, Religion and Identity in Contemporary Conflicts (15 credits)
Divided Cities, Contested States: Urban Violence and Transformation in the Middle East (15 credits)
Power-Sharing Agreements in Deeply Divided Societies (15 credits)
Contemporary War & Warfare (30 credits)
Comparative Civil Wars (30 credits)
State Failure & State Building (15 credits)
Transitional Justice & International Criminal Law (15 credits)
International Politics of the Middle East (30 credits)
Diplomacy & Foreign Policy (30 Credits)
The list of options above is not exhaustive. King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to respond to student demand as well as to provide up to date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. The optional modules available change each year and are therefore only made accessible to enrolled students during the module allocation period. At the start of the programme, you will be asked to select a number of optional modules (more than you are required to take) in preference order. The department will then allocate you the required number of optional credits, endeavouring to give all students as many of their top choices as possible. Please note that, due to limited spaces on each module, we are unable to guarantee that you will be allocated a place on any particular optional module or modules. Part-time students in their first year of study will take Conflict & Coexistence in Divided Societies (45 credits) and up to 45 credits of optional modules. In your second year you will write your Dissertation (60 credits) and take optional modules adding up to the remaining credits. Please note: Teaching for part-time students in the Department of War Studies is scheduled between the hours of 9 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday. Individual student timetables are dependent on the modules chosen and vary each year so we are unable to provide these in advance. Timetables are usually released in mid-September following enrolment.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Employability
Our graduates take the skills that they develop to become leaders in the public and private sectors, academia, government, diplomacy and journalism. Students on our MA courses have gone on to build careers in further academic research, NGOs, civil service, NATO, UN, media and publishing, finance and investment, teaching, and the armed forces.
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
Tuition Fees
UK:
Full time: £19,550 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £9,775 per year (2025/26)
International:
Full time: £35,800 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £17,900 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
Deposit
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
- If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
- If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
- If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
- Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
- Library fees and fines.
- Personal photocopies.
- Printing course handouts.
- Society membership fees.
- Stationery.
- Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
- Graduation costs.
- Non-compulsory field trip fee and associated subsistence costs.
- Non-compulsory travel and subsistence costs for dissertation fieldwork in UK or abroad.
Funding
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Application closing date guidance
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.
The final application deadlines for this programme are:
· Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
· Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
If the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications. Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.
Related courses including study abroad
Double Masters in Asian & International Affairs MAKey information
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
1 year FT / 2 years PT, September to September
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180 / ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
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