Overview
In an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape, effective diplomacy and principled conflict resolution are paramount. This MA trains diplomats, NGO directors, and policy analysts in bilateral negotiations, humanitarian peace accords, post-conflict reconstruction, and human rights advocacy.
MA International Peacebuilding & Global Diplomacy is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 24 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from Theories of Conflict Resolution & War through Theories of Conflict Resolution & War; Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance; Public International Law & Humanitarian Treaties; Mediation, Peace Negotiations & Accord Design; International Peacekeeping & Security Architectures; Transitional Justice, Memory & Reconciliation, and finish on MA Peacebuilding & Diplomacy Thesis.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read. Reading is a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. The artefact a marker expects is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Conduct structured diplomatic negotiations and track-two mediation processes Analyze the root causes of civil, ethnic, and interstate geopolitical conflicts Design post-conflict justice, reconciliation, and disarmament programs
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Conduct structured diplomatic negotiations and track-two mediation processes
- ✦Analyze the root causes of civil, ethnic, and interstate geopolitical conflicts
- ✦Design post-conflict justice, reconciliation, and disarmament programs
- ✦Draft comprehensive foreign policy memoranda for state and multilateral bodies
Career Pathways
- ✦Foreign Service Officer / Diplomat
- ✦UN / International NGO Country Lead
- ✦Conflict Resolution Specialist
- ✦Geopolitical Risk Consultant
- ✦Humanitarian Policy Advisor
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Semester 1 — Diplomacy & Conflict Theory
PD501Theories of Conflict Resolution & War- PD501-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Theories of Conflict Resolution & War
- PD501-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Theories of Conflict Resolution & War
- PD501-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Theories of Conflict Resolution & War
- PD501-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Theories of Conflict Resolution & War
- PD501-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Theories of Conflict Resolution & War
- PD501-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Theories of Conflict Resolution & War
3 creditsPD502Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance- PD502-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance
- PD502-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance
- PD502-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance
- PD502-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance
- PD502-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance
- PD502-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Multilateral Diplomacy & Global Governance
3 creditsPD503Public International Law & Humanitarian Treaties- PD503-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Public International Law & Humanitarian Treaties
- PD503-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Public International Law & Humanitarian Treaties
- PD503-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Public International Law & Humanitarian Treaties
- PD503-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Public International Law & Humanitarian Treaties
- PD503-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Public International Law & Humanitarian Treaties
- PD503-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Public International Law & Humanitarian Treaties
3 creditsSemester 2 — Mediation & Security
PD504Mediation, Peace Negotiations & Accord Design- PD504-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Mediation, Peace Negotiations & Accord Design
- PD504-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Mediation, Peace Negotiations & Accord Design
- PD504-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Mediation, Peace Negotiations & Accord Design
- PD504-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Mediation, Peace Negotiations & Accord Design
- PD504-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Mediation, Peace Negotiations & Accord Design
- PD504-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Mediation, Peace Negotiations & Accord Design
3 creditsPD505International Peacekeeping & Security Architectures- PD505-M1 · Assets, trust boundaries, and the adversary model — International Peacekeeping & Security Architectures
- PD505-M2 · Threat modelling and attack paths — International Peacekeeping & Security Architectures
- PD505-M3 · Identity, logging, and segmentation — International Peacekeeping & Security Architectures
- PD505-M4 · Detection, containment, and evidence — International Peacekeeping & Security Architectures
- PD505-M5 · Residual risk and what a control does not stop — International Peacekeeping & Security Architectures
- PD505-M6 · Defensive design, test plan, and after-action review — International Peacekeeping & Security Architectures
3 creditsPD506Transitional Justice, Memory & Reconciliation- PD506-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Transitional Justice, Memory & Reconciliation
- PD506-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Transitional Justice, Memory & Reconciliation
- PD506-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Transitional Justice, Memory & Reconciliation
- PD506-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Transitional Justice, Memory & Reconciliation
- PD506-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Transitional Justice, Memory & Reconciliation
- PD506-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Transitional Justice, Memory & Reconciliation
3 creditsSemester 3 — Strategic Geopolitics
PD601Geopolitical Forecasting & Crisis Management- PD601-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Geopolitical Forecasting & Crisis Management
- PD601-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Geopolitical Forecasting & Crisis Management
- PD601-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Geopolitical Forecasting & Crisis Management
- PD601-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Geopolitical Forecasting & Crisis Management
- PD601-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Geopolitical Forecasting & Crisis Management
- PD601-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Geopolitical Forecasting & Crisis Management
3 creditsPD602Civil Society, NGOs & Human Rights Advocacy- PD602-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Civil Society, NGOs & Human Rights Advocacy
- PD602-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Civil Society, NGOs & Human Rights Advocacy
- PD602-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Civil Society, NGOs & Human Rights Advocacy
- PD602-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Civil Society, NGOs & Human Rights Advocacy
- PD602-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Civil Society, NGOs & Human Rights Advocacy
- PD602-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Civil Society, NGOs & Human Rights Advocacy
3 creditsPD603Research Design in International Affairs- PD603-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Research Design in International Affairs
- PD603-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Research Design in International Affairs
- PD603-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Research Design in International Affairs
- PD603-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Research Design in International Affairs
- PD603-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Research Design in International Affairs
- PD603-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Research Design in International Affairs
3 creditsSemester 4 — Dissertation
PD604MA Peacebuilding & Diplomacy Thesis- PD604-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — MA Peacebuilding & Diplomacy Thesis
- PD604-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — MA Peacebuilding & Diplomacy Thesis
- PD604-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — MA Peacebuilding & Diplomacy Thesis
- PD604-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — MA Peacebuilding & Diplomacy Thesis
- PD604-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — MA Peacebuilding & Diplomacy Thesis
- PD604-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — MA Peacebuilding & Diplomacy Thesis
9 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (minimum 2:2 or GPA 2.5/4.0)
English language
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Documents
- Statement of Purpose (500 words minimum) outlining your goals and fit for the programme
- Two academic or professional references with contact details
- CV or résumé documenting relevant education and professional experience
Programme questions
How long is the MA International Peacebuilding & Global Diplomacy?+
The published duration is 24 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
