Find out more about studying Education and International Development: Conflict, Emergencies and Peace (CEP) MA at UCL (University College London)? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
UCL (University College London) - Bloomsbury Campus
Part Time
Sep 2026
2 Year
Violent conflicts are on the rise, with climate change increasingly linked to conflict, often affecting the most vulnerable. Understanding education's role in conflict, emergencies, and peace is crucial for shaping effective policy and practice. Our Education and International Development: Conflict, Emergencies and Peace MA offers a transformative exploration of education's role in addressing violent conflicts and crises. The course offers an in-depth understanding of conflict analysis and peacebuilding in the context of education. It equips students with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to better understand the complexities of conflict-affected environments and foster sustainable peace. This MA course offers the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of key theories, policies, and practices in the field of education in contexts of conflict and crisis - such as refugee situations, pandemics, natural and human-induced hazards and ongoing wars. You will become critically aware of the political, economic, and social dimensions of education, and how they intersect with instability, armed conflict, and the pursuit of peace with social justice. You will benefit from being taught by leading researchers in the field and from joining a diverse student community with firsthand experience working in contexts affected by war and other emergencies. This MA course supports learners in developing a deep understanding of the complex interactions between social divisions, inequality, and educational development. It explores how education can both contribute to and help mitigate conflict, and encourages a rethinking of the concepts, approaches, methods, and tools of education in politically unstable and fragile environments. With a strong focus on decolonial theories of development and educational change through the lenses of conflict and peace, the course is committed to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable learners in crisis-affected settings. The course can be taken on campus, online (distance), or a combination of both (mixed mode). Please select the relevant mode of study at point of application. Note that distance and mixed mode options are not available to students applying for a student visa. This course will appeal to those with a passion for education and international development, and an interest in advancing global social justice, human rights, and conflict resolution. This programme is also available on a modular (flexible) basis, with a duration of 5 calendar years.
This module introduces a range of concepts from the social and political sciences that assist the understanding and analysis of the relationship between education, learning and international development in low and middle income countries. The module also explores critically the changing links between these relationships at individual, local, national, regional, international and global levels. It introduces and discusses issues of educational policy and practice in low and middle income countries.
This module explores complex interactions between education, armed conflict and peace. It critically examines the role of education in production and prevention of socio-political tensions in low and middle-income countries. Students will be provided an opportunity to critically explore political and sociological theories in explaining the role of education in reproducing socioeconomic divisions as well in producing a critical mass of learners who resist inequalities and social injustices. The multitude of ways violent conflicts and state fragility impact upon children and the underprivileged communities are also considered. The module also explores challenges around educational aid in conflict-affected environments and encourages critical debates in and theorisation of education in post-conflict recovery, reconstruction and peacebuilding. Equity, social justice and social transformation will be the crosscutting themes across all sessions.
A fee deposit will be charged at 2.5 percent of the first year fee
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