Why study MA Conflict, Security and Development at Exeter?
You’ll gain an insider’s view of the challenges faced by organisations and government agencies when responding to humanitarian crises, civil wars and international conflict
Benefit from an accredited work placement in the UK or overseas in the development, diplomacy or policy making sectors
Expand your knowledge with regular extra-curricular departmental talks by policy makers, activists and visiting scholars
Learn from world-leading experts with real-world experience
In a time of constant global change your understanding of complex political and cultural issues will be highly relevant to a range of careers in international politics, security and development
The MA Conflict, Security and Development builds on Exeter’s strengths in international relations and security and is particularly relevant to students hoping to work for NGOs, aid organisations, international bodies such as the United Nations or other international agencies. Our high quality academic training is balanced with valuable professional skills development, giving you a fully-rounded degree which truly enhances your CV.
The programme aims to give you first-hand insight into the challenges faced by organisations and government agencies when responding to humanitarian crises, civil wars and international conflict. By gaining an insider's view of the challenges involved in activities such as conflict analysis, post-conflict reconstruction or policy development, you'll be better equipped to interrogate the myths that surround conflict, security and development and improve your understanding of their relationship within a political context.
You can tailor your programme to your specific interests or careers ambitions with our array of optional modules such as Quantitative Data Analysis, State and Society in the Middle East, US Foreign Policy and State Building after Civil War.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
Term 1:
POLM084 Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics (30 credits)
Optional module(s) (30 credits)
POLM886 Dissertation
Term 2:
POLM085 Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development (30 credits)
Optional module(s) (30 credits)
POLM886 Dissertation
Term 3:
POLM886 Dissertation (60 credits)
Compulsory modules
Code
Module
Credits
Compulsory 1
Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics
30
Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development
30
Dissertation
60
POLM084: Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics
This is the first required module for MA Conflict, Security and Development (CSD) - and provides scholarly grounding of the evolving concepts and practices of CSD. Students will have the opportunity to reflect meaningfully upon International Relations' conceptual frameworks used to interpret security, war and violence of war, the state, humanitarian intervention, issues of transitional justice, aid and development, and peace-building - in general and in the context of contemporary case studies. The module will provide the necessary intellectual and historical contexts to prepare students for the term 2 requirement which is a work placement module based in an organisation that works on the kind of issues studied in this module.
By the end of this module you will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the processes by which conflict, security and development have come to occupy, by the 21st century, a single field of international policy-practice directed towards postcolonial and postconflict states. Furthermore, you will analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of these policies and practices in specific post-Cold war cases. Students will exhibit this knowledge in the form of extended essays and group presentations.
POLM085: Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development
This module is composed of six forms of structured activity: i) Preparatory session to prepare you for specific work placements /research projects; ii) Academic seminars focusing on (a) the actors in conflict, security and development, and (b) research methodologies for studying and assessing the nature of conflict, security and development and the effectiveness of international aid; iii) Policy- and practice-focused seminars with visiting speakers who are professionals in conflict, security and development in the UK and/or overseas; iv) A 75-hour FTE work placement or research project in the UK or overseas, to be completed before the end of summer term; v) Plenary, reporting and presentation sessions following completion of your work placement; and vi) Meetings with academic advisor before and after your work placement.
You will be assisted in finding placements at one of the institutions, companies and NGOs with which the university has contact, or a placement with a relevant organisation identified yourself. Alternatively, research assistantships with Exeter academics working on a contemporary policy issue are available. The university cannot guarantee you a particular placement or assistantship. You must be active from the outset in pursuing placement opportunities of your choice to give you the greatest chance of achieving your preference.
Your MA dissertation is an extended piece of writing driven by your own research interests, and a core part of a Master's degree. This module equips you with the skills you need to meet this challenge.
A dissertation is not a long essay, and writing a good dissertation requires you to demonstrate good research skills, the ability to learn independently, the ability to synthesise a complex literature (or literatures), and good writing skills. Furthermore, your Master's dissertation will be driven primarily by your own research interests, the research questions you are able to devise, and the approach you take to research design. It will likely require significantly more work than any assessment you have done previously. It also accounts for a significant proportion of the credits making up your Master’s degree. For these reasons, you will be provided with support during the dissertation writing process in the form of the POLM886 Dissertation Skills module, and from a dedicated dissertation supervisor who aligns with your research interests.
From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender
30
Theories of International Development
30
Management and Governance: Comparing Public Administration around the World
30
The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development
30
Leadership, Equality and Diversity
30
Collaborative and Participatory Governance
30
Security Futures
30
How to Make a Decision: Understanding Command, Leadership and Management
30
Theory of Strategy: Conceptual Approaches for Surviving and Thriving
30
Strategy and Psychology in Foreign Policy
30
Public Opinion, Misinformation and Public Policy
30
International Relations: Power and Institutions
30
Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity
30
Applied Quantitative Data Analysis
15
Public Policy Process
30
Security, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
30
Social Networks
15
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,650full-time; £6,325 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,550full-time; £12,775 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
With the exception of the dissertation and work placement, each module on this programme is normally taught through academic lectures expanded through seminar discussion, presentations, group work, reading and essay assignments.
You will have an individual supervisor for your dissertation, which is a 15,000 word extended essay on a topic of your choice (following discussion and approval from your supervisor).
Library services
Our main library is open 24/7 throughout the academic year. With a book stock in excess of 1.2 million, we have one of the highest UK academic library ratios of books to students. The main library offers self-service machines, state-of-the-art multimedia facilities, and an extended wifi network. The library provides world-class study facilities to all students. It has extensive holdings of works on political science, international relations and the various sub-disciplines.
Dr Pedro Perfeito Da Silva
Programme Director
Dr Kevork Oskanian
Lecturer in International Relations
Dr Pedro Perfeito Da Silva
Programme Director
Pedro's research and teaching interests revolve around the challenges that globalisation introduces for the pursuit of development and the sustainability of democratic regimes at the capitalist periphery. In light of this broad political economy theme, I have investigated topics like the financial agenda of populist parties, the regulatory implications of the Latin American Pink Tide, the macroeconomic effects of capital account liberalisation, and the socioeconomic impact of creative industries.
I obtained my PhD at the London School of Economics’ Department of International Relations, and have previously taught at the LSE, and the Universities of Westminster and Birmingham. My latest monograph - ‘Russian Exceptionalism between East and West: The Ambiguous Empire’ (Palgrave) - provides a novel long-term approach to the role of Russia’s imperial legacies in its interactions with the former Soviet space. My current research interests include the International Relations of Eurasia, and Bourdieusian and post-liberal approaches to International Order.
In addition to the academic and knowledge-based skills provided by this programme’s subject material, your studies will also develop personal skills which are highly valued by employers, such as:
Advanced independent thinking, with the ability to undertake self-directed learning and time management to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment
Experience of working as an individual on challenging material
The ability to reflect on your learning, evaluate personal strengths and weakness, and map out a plan of personal development based on those reflections
Competence with standard IT applications, and an understanding of efficient and effective ways to obtain information from library, database, and online sources.
Experience of working as a participant and/or leader of a group, and of contributing effectively to the planning and achievement of that group’s objectives
Experience of giving presentations to others in your field
The ability to construct a rigorous argument, and defend that argument citing relevant sources, both in written form and orally.
Career paths
A postgraduate degree in Conflict, Security and Development is a pathway to a range of careers in international politics. security and development. It is particularly relevant to students hoping to work for NGOs, aid organisations, international bodies such as the United Nations or other international agencies. Our high quality academic training is balanced with valuable professional skills development, giving you a fully-rounded degree which truly enhances your CV.
The majority of students are based at our Streatham Campus in Exeter. The campus is one of the most beautiful in the country and offers a unique environment in which to study, with lakes, parkland, woodland and gardens as well as modern and historical buildings.
Located on the eastern edge of the city centre, St Luke's is home to Sport and Health Sciences, the Medical School, the Academy of Nursing, the Department of Allied Health Professions, and PGCE students.
Our Penryn Campus is located near Falmouth in Cornwall. It is consistently ranked highly for satisfaction: students report having a highly personal experience that is intellectually stretching but great fun, providing plenty of opportunities to quickly get to know everyone.
