Social Sciences

Master of Arts in International Conflict Management

The Master of Arts in International Conflict Management is a postgraduate programme offered by the University of Nairobi. The programme provides advanced training in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, and international conflict management, preparing graduates for careers in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, diplomacy, and international development.

The programme examines the causes, dynamics, and resolution of international conflicts, equipping students with knowledge of conflict theory, peace studies, international mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction. Students develop competence in conflict analysis, negotiation, mediation, peacebuilding, and the management of complex conflicts.

Core areas of study include conflict theory, international conflict management, peace and conflict studies, negotiation and mediation, post-conflict reconstruction, international law and conflict, humanitarian intervention, conflict-sensitive development, and research methods. The programme emphasises both theoretical understanding and practical conflict management skills.

The University of Nairobi offers this programme through its Faculty of Arts, which has a strong tradition in social sciences and humanities education. The programme benefits from Kenya's position as a regional hub for peacebuilding and conflict management, hosting numerous international organisations working on conflict in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.

The programme is designed for graduates and professionals seeking expertise in conflict management for careers in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, peacebuilding, and post-conflict development. Students complete coursework, examinations, and a research project over four semesters, with the programme available in full-time, part-time, and open distance and e-learning modes.

Graduates are prepared for careers as conflict management specialists, peacebuilding officers, diplomatic service officers, humanitarian programme managers, post-conflict development specialists, and conflict researchers in international organisations, government, NGOs, and research institutions.

Skills Required

Conflict Analysis
Negotiation and Mediation
Peacebuilding
International Conflict Management
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Conflict-Sensitive Development
International Law and Conflict
Humanitarian Intervention
Diplomatic Practice
Research Methods in Conflict Studies

Key Subjects

Conflict Theory
International Conflict Management
Negotiation and Mediation
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Peace and Conflict Studies
International Law and Conflict
Humanitarian Intervention
Conflict-Sensitive Development
African Conflict Systems
Research Methods in Conflict Studies

Certifications

ACCORD Conflict Resolution Certification
USIP Peacebuilding Certification

Specializations

Conflict Analysis

Focuses on analysing conflict causes, dynamics, and trajectories using conflict analysis frameworks and tools.

Mediation and Negotiation

Covers mediation and negotiation theory and practice including interest-based negotiation, multi-party mediation, and track II diplomacy.

Post-Conflict Reconstruction

Examines post-conflict reconstruction including disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration, transitional justice, and state-building.

Peacebuilding

Focuses on peacebuilding theory and practice including conflict transformation, peace processes, and sustainable peace.

Humanitarian Intervention

Covers humanitarian intervention in conflict contexts including protection of civilians, humanitarian access, and the responsibility to protect.

African Conflict Systems

Examines conflict dynamics in African contexts including regional conflicts, ethnic conflicts, resource conflicts, and pastoralist conflicts.

Conflict-Sensitive Development

Focuses on integrating conflict sensitivity into development programming including do-no-harm approaches and peace and conflict impact assessment.

International Law and Conflict

Covers international law relevant to conflict including international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and the legal frameworks governing conflict management.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 268,500
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Conflict Theory
International Conflict Management
Negotiation and Mediation
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Peace and Conflict Studies
International Law and Conflict
Humanitarian Intervention
Conflict-Sensitive Development
African Conflict Systems
Research Methods in Conflict Studies

Modules

10 in the programme

Conflict Theory and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines theories of conflict including causes, dynamics, escalation, and resolution, with frameworks for analysing conflicts at interpersonal, communal, and international levels.
International Conflict Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers international conflict management strategies including preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding in international conflicts.
Negotiation and Mediation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines negotiation and mediation theory and practice including interest-based negotiation, multi-party mediation, and track I and track II diplomacy.
International Law and Conflict
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers international law relevant to conflict including international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and legal frameworks governing conflict management.
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines post-conflict reconstruction including disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration, transitional justice, security sector reform, and state-building.
Humanitarian Intervention
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers humanitarian intervention in conflict contexts including protection of civilians, humanitarian access, the responsibility to protect, and humanitarian-military coordination.
African Conflict Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines conflict dynamics in African contexts including regional conflicts, ethnic conflicts, resource conflicts, pastoralist conflicts, and electoral violence.
Conflict-Sensitive Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers integrating conflict sensitivity into development programming including do-no-harm approaches, peace and conflict impact assessment, and peacebuilding through development.
Research Methods in Conflict Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in conflict management and peace studies.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research project on an international conflict management topic, demonstrating mastery of conflict analysis and management, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Conflict Analysis
Focuses on analysing conflict causes, dynamics, and trajectories using conflict analysis frameworks and tools.
Mediation and Negotiation
Covers mediation and negotiation theory and practice including interest-based negotiation, multi-party mediation, and track II diplomacy.
Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Examines post-conflict reconstruction including disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration, transitional justice, and state-building.
Peacebuilding
Focuses on peacebuilding theory and practice including conflict transformation, peace processes, and sustainable peace.
Humanitarian Intervention
Covers humanitarian intervention in conflict contexts including protection of civilians, humanitarian access, and the responsibility to protect.
African Conflict Systems
Examines conflict dynamics in African contexts including regional conflicts, ethnic conflicts, resource conflicts, and pastoralist conflicts.
Conflict-Sensitive Development
Focuses on integrating conflict sensitivity into development programming including do-no-harm approaches and peace and conflict impact assessment.
International Law and Conflict
Covers international law relevant to conflict including international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and the legal frameworks governing conflict management.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on conflict theory, international conflict management, or negotiation and mediation at the University of Nairobi. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing contemporary conflicts in the Horn of Africa, Great Lakes region, and global conflict contexts. The programme includes negotiation and mediation simulations where students practise conflict management skills in structured exercises. Case study discussions examine peace processes, post-conflict reconstruction, and humanitarian interventions. Guest lectures from UN officials, NGO peacebuilding practitioners, and diplomats provide practical insights. Students participate in conflict analysis workshops using conflict mapping and conflict assessment frameworks. Those in the research phase conduct independent research on conflict management topics, working on their research project under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya is a regional hub for peacebuilding and conflict management, hosting numerous international organisations and providing strong career opportunities.
Programme combines theoretical conflict analysis with practical negotiation and mediation skills, providing versatile career preparation.
Available in full-time, part-time, and open distance and e-learning modes, accommodating working professionals.
Offered at UoN, a public university with affordable fees and strong social sciences tradition.

Against it

Only one institution offers this specific programme, limiting choice and comparison.
Field research in conflict-affected areas may present security and logistical challenges.
The programme requires a research project, which may extend completion time beyond the standard 2 years for some students.
Career progression in conflict management often requires international experience and language skills beyond the programme curriculum.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public118k to 269k

118k at Maseno University269k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN 268.5K/yr (IDIS offers course). Maseno proxy. Private unverified.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, UoN bursaries for demonstrated financial need, and potential peacebuilding scholarships from international organisations like USIP.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University of Nairobi Bursary
USIP Peacebuilding Scholarships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University of Nairobi Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
UoN students demonstrating academic merit and financial need.
USIP Peacebuilding Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
Students pursuing conflict management and peacebuilding studies, administered through USIP programmes. Availability varies.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is offered in full-time, part-time, and open distance and e-learning modes. Duration is 18 months to 3 years. Main intake in September. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must produce a certificate of English proficiency (TEFL).

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, conflict analysis assignments, negotiation simulation reports, seminar presentations, and policy briefs conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering conflict theory, international conflict management, and negotiation, including essay questions and case study analysis.
Negotiation Simulation
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving participation in a structured negotiation or mediation simulation, demonstrating conflict management skills and negotiation competence.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research project on an international conflict management topic, equivalent to four course units, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through its Faculty of Arts.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes
Professional certification
African conflict resolution organisation. ACCORD training certification is recommended for conflict management professionals in Africa.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Conflict Management Specialist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Works with international organisations or NGOs on conflict management programmes, conducting conflict analysis, designing interventions, and supporting peace processes.
Peacebuilding Officer
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages peacebuilding programmes for NGOs or international organisations, supporting community reconciliation, dialogue, and peace process initiatives.
Diplomatic Service Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Works in diplomatic missions applying conflict management expertise in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, conflict prevention, and peace negotiations.
Humanitarian Programme Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages humanitarian programmes in conflict-affected areas, overseeing emergency response, protection, and recovery programmes for conflict-affected populations.
Post-Conflict Development Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 95,000 to Ksh 320,000
Works on post-conflict reconstruction and development programmes, supporting reintegration, state-building, and recovery in post-conflict contexts.
Conflict Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000
Conducts research on conflict and peacebuilding for research institutions, think tanks, or international organisations, producing analysis and policy recommendations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as conflict management specialists, peacebuilding officers, diplomatic service officers, and humanitarian programme managers in international organisations, government, and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for analysing conflict data, survey data, and quantitative research in conflict studies.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, conflict narratives, and field notes in conflict research.
GIS Software
Software
Geographic Information Systems software for mapping conflict zones, displacement patterns, and spatial analysis of conflict dynamics.
Conflict Analysis Frameworks
Software
Structured conflict analysis tools including conflict mapping, conflict assessment frameworks, and do-no-harm analysis tools used in conflict management practice.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Conflict management is just about stopping fights.
The programme examines root causes of conflict, conflict dynamics, peace processes, post-conflict reconstruction, and the structural transformation needed for sustainable peace.
This programme only leads to NGO work in conflict zones.
Graduates work in diplomacy, international organisations, government, research institutions, development agencies, and the private sector, applying conflict management skills across diverse contexts.
Conflict management is irrelevant in peaceful countries.
Conflict management skills are applicable in any context with potential for conflict including workplace disputes, community tensions, electoral conflicts, and resource conflicts.
You need to work in conflict zones to use this degree.
Many graduates work in policy analysis, research, programme design, and advocacy roles that do not require field deployment to conflict zones.
Conflict management is the same as peace studies.
While related, conflict management focuses on practical strategies for managing and resolving conflicts, complementing broader peace studies that examine structural and cultural violence.
Kenya has no conflicts requiring conflict management expertise.
Kenya experiences electoral conflicts, resource conflicts, ethnic tensions, and cross-border conflicts, creating demand for conflict management professionals in government and civil society.