MSc Conflict, Security and Development
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Introduction
The deadline to apply for September 2025 entry is Monday 30 June 2025.

This new programme explores the relationship between conflict and development. It equips students for careers in security and development, where they can make a difference to the lives of people affected by conflict.
Conflicts across the planet have devastating effects on people’s lives, and policy makers are increasingly recognising that conflict and development are interlinked.
But how can we fully understand these relationships? And how can developing our understanding protect more people from the tragic impact of conflict?
By analysing real-life cases from around the world, with a particular focus on the African continent, this programme enables you to explore the connections between security, politics and development.
Through our links with policy makers and practitioners, you will have opportunities to develop practical skills and relevant experience to prepare for careers in security and development.
Aims
Aims
This programme will deepen your understanding of critical worldwide events such as civil wars, humanitarian crises, peacekeeping operations, and efforts for justice after violence.
There are many important debates about the links between conflict, security and development. You will be encouraged to examine complex questions such as:
- What can policy makers do to deliver development that supports global aspirations for peace?
- What is the relationship between conflict and issues such as poverty and inequality?
- How do development organisations and security actors work together, and what challenges does this pose?
- How does this framing of development affect our understanding of issues such as inequality, democracy, climate change and justice?
Learning and Skills
Based in one of Europe’s largest centres for African Studies, students benefit from learning from lecturers with extensive professional and research experience in the security and development sectors. Students will be exposed to the latest advances in the field by staff who are actively involved in conflict research across the globe.
The programme is rooted in cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural learning, and incorporates opportunities for experiential learning within related sectors, including the option to choose a policy-focused dissertation.
- Interdisciplinary approach
Our interdisciplinary approach to the topic draws on a range of expertise, including:
- Political science
- Anthropology
- History
- Development studies
- Area studies
- Legal studies
- Skills you will develop
By the end of this programme, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the links between conflict, security and development
- Analyse the various actors, agendas and practices generated by the links between conflict security and development
- Independently engage with new ideas, and confront social questions, with open-mindedness and intellectual rigour
- Analyse and synthesise relevant data using interdisciplinary methods
- Effectively and confidently articulate complex social ideas, with appropriate sensitivity and nuance, to different audiences
Career Opportunities
Policymakers, practitioners, and researchers are increasingly acknowledging the link between conflict and development in the way they design and think about responses to conflicts. A critical understanding of the link between security and development will enhance your future employability in a range of sectors.
- Career examples
- Government agencies
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- International organisations (United Nations, World Bank, etc.)
- Humanitarian organisations
- Research institutes
- Think tanks
How to Apply
We strongly recommend you submit your completed application as early as possible, particularly if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa.
Everything you need to know about the application process and additional details for this programme is available here:
Application fee
A non-refundable application fee of £50 must be paid after you submit your application. Your application will not be processed until we have received your application fee.
Tuition Fees
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
MSc | Conflict, Security and Development | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
MSc | Conflict, Security and Development | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Structure
Programme structure
The MSc in Conflict, Security and Development (180 credits) will include:
- Three compulsory courses (20 credits each)
- Three optional courses (20 credits each)
- A final dissertation (standard research or policy-focused) (60 credits)
Courses
- Compulsory courses
Conflict, Security and Development (20 credits)
Course Organiser: Dr Maggie Dwyer
This focuses on the security-development nexus, the notion that security is a precondition for development and that development leads to security, and the type of interventions and shifts in aid allocations that have followed.Politics and Theories of International Development (20 credits)
Course Organiser: Dr Andrew Bowman
This analyses the dominant and alternative theories that seek to explain development outcomes.Peace and Conflict in Africa (20 credits)
Course Organiser: Dr Akin Iwilade
This covers major theories, trends and methodological questions in the study of armed conflict in Africa.- Optional courses
In addition to these compulsory courses you can select three optional courses from across the School of Social and Political Science (SPS). Optional courses include a wide range of timely topics including resource politics, displacement, justice after violence, terrorism, and gender and war.
Dissertations
Students in the programme have the opportunity to select from two different dissertation models, depending on their future career goals.
- Standard research dissertation
- 15,000-word dissertation
This option is ideal for those wanting to continue on to a PhD programme or roles in a research institute.
- Policy-focused dissertation
- 13,500-word dissertation (85%)
- 1,500-word policy briefing (15%)
The policy-focused dissertation provides you with:
- Direct engagement with experts in the field of security and development during the dissertation workshop
- Practice in pitching research ideas to practitioners
- Experience writing in a style aimed at policy makers and public audiences
Additional information
Research and connections
The Centre of African Studies (CAS) is home to expert academics involved in research tackling some of the most-pressing issues in security and development. As well as learning from them and their latest research, you’ll benefit from their ties to wider networks including experts, policy makers and professionals from across the globe.
CAS and the University’s Centre for Security Research each host a range of events and activities covering the latest research, including:
- Regular seminars from guest speakers sharing their latest research
- Public seminars with prominent public figures such as writers, influential thinkers and activists
- An annual conference drawing together international scholars, researchers, and practitioners
- Research examples
Teaching staff for the Conflict, Security and Development MSc are involved in ongoing research on a range of topics including:
- Veterans of peacekeeping operations
- Security force assistance
- Mobs and everyday violence
- Gang anthropologies
- Transitional justice and violence
- Climate change
Our community
The programme also includes lots of opportunities to engage with other students and our wider community. These include regular cohort-building activities such as writing retreats, film screenings, visits to cultural sites and social events.
Research examples from the Centre of African Studies
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Fighting high-level corruption in Africa: Dr Gerhard Anders (Principal Investigator) | Return from Peacekeeping: Dr Maggie Dwyer (Principal Investigator) |
The School of Social and Political Science sits within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. All enquiries and applications relating to undergraduate admissions to the School are handled by our College. Please contact:
CAHSS Undergraduate Admissions
University of Edinburgh
57 George Square
Edinburgh, EH8 9JX
Tel: +44 (0)131 650 3565
Email: CAHSS.UGAdmissions@ed.ac.uk
Associated centres
Scholarships
Funding opportunities available for postgraduate study in the School of Social and Political Science.