Master of Social Sciences in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research
Tampere, Finland
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 10,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* January 2025
** per academic year for non-EU/EEA students
Introduction
Thinking peaceful change
Interdisciplinary approaches to conflict transformation, conflict resolution, and sustainable peace in local, international, and global contexts.
Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research (PEACE) provides a multi- and interdisciplinary approach to peace and conflict research. The programme was ranked as a Top 10 degree in conflict resolution and peacebuilding by the Peacekeeper in 2017.
The programme facilitates the understanding of the complex nature of wars and conflicts as well as their short- and long-term consequences. It focuses not only on the study of conflict but primarily on its transformation and on the conditions for peaceful change. The programme also examines how different actors can respond to discrimination, human rights violations and forced displacement.
During their studies, students learn about the preconditions for conflict transformation and sustainable peace in local, international and global contexts. Special emphasis is placed on various tools and phases of conflict transformation - peacebuilding, mediation, reconciliation and dialogue.
Master’s Programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research is hosted by Tampere Peace Research Institute (TAPRI), which is internationally acknowledged for its high-quality research since its founding in 1969. Close contact with the research community at TAPRI guarantees a high level of teaching and allows the students to have a dialogue with experts in the field.
Furthermore, the teaching draws from close contact with practitioners in the fields of conflict resolution, civilian crisis management and mediation, giving students an excellent opportunity to engage with practitioners.
Admissions
Curriculum
Study contents
Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research offer an interdisciplinary approach to peace and conflicts, which derives from the high-quality and topical research carried out at Tampere Peace Research Institute (TAPRI). It also draws from close contacts with practitioners in the fields of conflict resolution, civilian crisis management, and mediation. The aim of the studies in Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research is to facilitate the understanding of the complex nature of wars and conflicts as well as their short and long-term consequences. During their studies, students learn about the preconditions for conflict resolution and sustainable peace in local as well as in international and global contexts. Special emphasis is given to the various phases and means of peaceful conflict transformation and resolution, particularly to peacebuilding, mediation, and dialogue. Hence the advanced studies in Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research focus not only on the study of conflicts but primarily on their transformation and resolution.
Structure of studies
Studies in the Master’s Programme in Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research consist of the following elements:
- Advanced Studies in Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research (90 ECTS) form the core of the degree. They enable the students to acquire in-depth theoretical, methodological, and conceptual knowledge in Peace and Conflict Research. The studies include a Master’s thesis (40 ECTS) which is an individual research project that enables the student to demonstrate his/her in-depth knowledge in an area relevant to the content of this specialization.
- Joint Studies (17-22 credits) focus on general orientation to studies, research methods, language studies, and academic writing skills.
- Free Choice Course Units (8-13 credits)
The curriculum of the Master's Programme in Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research will be published in March 2022. No major changes are expected to the curriculum in 2022.
Program Outcome
Upon completion of the Master's Programme in Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research, the student:
- Is able to assume active roles to recognize, analyze, and resolve global challenges and to become a proactive contributor to a more peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, and secure world.
- Gains an interdisciplinary understanding of the short- and long-term consequences of conflicts.
- Larns to understand the preconditions for conflict transformation, conflict resolution, and peace in local as well as in international and global contexts.
- Learns to analyze the evolution of conflicts and conflict resolution and gains knowledge of peacebuilding, mediation, and negotiation.
Scholarships and Funding
Tampere University tuition fee scholarships
Tampere University tuition fee scholarships awarded at admission cover 100% of the tuition fees for the program duration. The program duration is
- three years for Bachelor’s degrees
- two years for Master’s degrees
- five years if the study right is granted for both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree.
Finland Scholarship
Finland scholarships awarded by Tampere University are part of the national Finland Scholarship program. Applicants to Master's programs are eligible to apply. Finland scholarships are awarded at Tampere University to the most merited applicant in each Master's program.
Finland scholarships cover the program tuition fee for the first year of studies and include a 5000 € relocation grant, paid to the student's Finnish bank account after the student has arrived in Tampere and started studies at Tampere University.
In addition, Tampere University awards a Tampere University tuition fee scholarship for the second year of studies to all recipients of the Finland scholarship. The scholarship covers 100 % of tuition fees in the second year of studies.
Early bird offer
In addition to scholarships, an early bird offer is available at admission to all fee-paying students, excluding students who have been awarded a Tampere University tuition fee scholarship or a Finland scholarship at admission. The early bird offer gives a 50 % reduction on the program tuition fee during the first year of studies.
Students may take advantage of the early bird offer by accepting the offered study place and paying 50% of the first-year tuition fee within two weeks after receiving information on admission.
This offer is valid only for the first year of studies. During consecutive years of study, all fee-paying students are eligible to apply for Tampere University Scholarships awarded during studies.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research prepares students for postgraduate studies, independent research work as well and professional activities which include various tasks in the global society, ranging from interpersonal relationships to international conflict situations. There is a growing need for expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, and crisis management in the service of governments, international organizations, NGOs, and media.
Co-operation with other parties
In addition to studies in one’s own degree program and specialization, students may take full advantage of the teaching offered by the Tampere higher education community ranging from technical to vocational studies in various fields.
Further study opportunities
The degree gives eligibility for postgraduate studies in humanities (history) and social sciences (international relations, peace and conflict research, social anthropology, and other social sciences). At Tampere University, students can continue, for example, to doctoral studies in the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences.