The MA International Relations: Global Conflict in the Modern Era specialisation at Leiden University engages you with the scholarly debates about global conflict today and in the recent past.

Why study Global Conflict in the Modern Era at Leiden University?

In the Global Conflict in the Modern Era Master you will explore the security measures that have been instituted locally, regionally and globally in the modern world. You will study the patterns of war and peace in the modern world from a multidisciplinary angle, incorporating history, political and social science and area expertise.

The programme examines the core concepts and dominant approaches to the study of war, to subsequently move onto more recent and critical takes on these phenomena. You will also explore the theoretical and empirical explanations for war and peace, that have been offered by the academic scholarship.

In addition you will investigate war, terrorism, insurgency and genocide as prevalent modes of violent expression. Are these phenomena driven by political considerations? Or are there other explanations for the use of violence?

You will benefit from the close contacts between the University and national and international government institutions in The Hague, as well as the unique wealth of area studies at Leiden University.

* Leiden University's Humanities Faculty was recently ranked 25th in the Times Higher Education worldwide ranking.

Career prospects

As a graduate of one of our International Relations specialisations you will be prepared for a career in international organisations, government, non-government organisations, business, and academia amongst others. There is an increasing demand for well-trained, language skilled young professionals with a clear sensitivity towards the interdependence and the complexity of the world today

Our graduates end up working in a diverse range of positions, examples include:

• Policy advisor, at a ministry of foreign affairs
• Communications manager and project assistant at an NGO promoting reconciliation and peace
• Consular spokesperson at a ministry of foreign affairs
• Consultant at an NGO
• Project manager at a company specialising in geo-services, international development and project management
• PhD candidate and research assistant
• Communications officer at an international student federation
• Research analyst at a consultancy firm
• Product manager at a multinational company
• University relations manager at an education intermediary
• Senior immigration expert at a multinational accountancy and consultancy firm

Your qualifications

Your master will qualify you for a wide-range of roles in almost every sector of the employment market. Many of our graduates work for public services, research institutes, international organisations, government bodies, NGOs, education, communications, policy development, political institutes and academia, amongst others.