Conflict, Development and Human Rights

 Students outside Parliament

Course Overview

Conflict, development, and human rights are deeply interconnected themes shaping societies, particularly in the Global South. Conflict, whether armed, political, or social; often disrupts development, undermining economic growth, governance, and social cohesion. Conversely, inclusive development can mitigate conflict by addressing inequality and marginalisation. Human rights serve as a foundational framework, ensuring dignity, justice, and freedom for all.

Our MA in Conflict, Development and Human Rights will help you to understand and analyse these dynamics, which in turn is essential for examining global challenges, crafting policy, and promoting sustainable peace and development. This interdisciplinary field demands critical engagement with historical contexts, legal instruments, and contemporary case studies to explore how societies can navigate tensions while advancing equitable and rights-based development.

Why Ecology and Conservation at Swansea?

Nestled within the scenic parkland of Singleton Park and overlooking the stunning Swansea Bay at the edge to the Gower Peninsula, Swansea University offers an exceptional environment for studying. You’ll engage with leading academics tackling some of the most pressing global issues through a critical lens. Our research-led teaching empowers you to explore the complex systems of power shaping today’s world.

At Swansea, you will move beyond the headlines, examining the influence of global actors and practices of local actors in development, analysing the evolving international order, and mastering advanced research methods to investigate the forces driving conflict, human rights, and sustainable development.

Our dynamic postgraduate community thrives on collaboration and curiosity, supported by active student societies in politics, international relations, and philosophy, as well as dedicated networks for international students and a range of research groups to fuel your academic and professional journey.

Your Conflict Experience

In your first term, you will take modules that lay the foundation for your studies; one focused on sustainable development, and the other on key conceptual debates in the social sciences. These modules are designed to equip you with the essential academic tools and critical perspectives needed to engage with international development, conflict, and human rights, whether you're new to the field or building on prior knowledge.

In the second term, you will deepen your understanding through modules on humanitarian affairs and rights-based approaches to development. The former explores the complex relationship between conflict and development in today’s global landscape, while the latter examines how human rights frameworks support development processes. You will also start to work on your dissertation, an independent research project on a topic of your choice, guided by an academic supervisor.

Alongside these central modules, you will have the opportunity to tailor your learning. In the first term, you can select a subject from a range of engaging modules offered by the Law department. In the second term, you will be offered the opportunity to take an optional module offered by our Department of Politics, Philosophy and International Relations.

Conflict Employment Opportunities

Regardless of your academic background, this programme offers a robust foundation in the theory and practice of sustainable development, exploring its intersection with conflict and its grounding in human rights frameworks. You will develop essential skills in research, analysis, presentation, critical thinking, and academic writing, tools that empower you to conduct independent inquiry.

These competencies are highly sought after across sectors, and graduates of our MA in Conflict, Development and Human Rights pursue impactful careers in a range of fields including international organisations such as the United Nations, government and politics, humanitarian and non-governmental organisations, as well as in business, media, and public relations.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.