Programme structure
The Master's Programme in Peace and Conflict Studies spans four semesters, throughout which students take a combination of mandatory and optional courses and complete a master’s thesis. The programme offers studies of peace and conflict related issues through two study options, one in political science and one in history. Both tracks combine mandatory and elective courses.
History track:
• Common mandatory courses: 40 ECTS credits
• Mandatory courses for students on the history track option: 30 ECTS credits
• Optional courses: 20 ECTS credits
• Master’s thesis (mandatory): 30 ECTS credits
Students who are admitted to the History track must take the compulsory courses in this track and write a history master thesis. It is not possible to switch track during the studies.
Recommended study plan history track option:
| 4. semester | PECOS4095 - Master's Thesis - History track Master's thesis | PECOS4041 - Thesis seminar 2, history track | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | HIS4031 - Project seminar, master thesis | Optional course | PECOS4095 - Master's Thesis - History track Master's thesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | PECOS4110 - International Negotiations/Conflict Resolution | HIS4011 - Historiography and Historical Theory: Accounting for change and continuity | Optional course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | PECOS4010 - Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies | PECOS4021 - Research Methods | HIS4421 - War, Peace and the Nobel Peace Prize | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits |
10 ECTS credits |
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The history track is administrated by the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History (IAKH). Contact: historie-student@iakh.uio.no
Mandatory courses for history track:
The students who follow the history track take HIS4011 - Historiography and Historical Theory: Accounting for change and continuity in the second semester. Through participation in HIS4031 - Project seminar, master thesis in the third semester, you will further develop your ability to plan and complete a large scientific work. You will also attend the thesis seminar PECOS4031 - Thesis seminar 1, history track in the third semester. You must be assigned a supervisor before you can take either HIS4031 or PECOS4031. The fourth semester is devoted to your work with your master’s thesis PECOS4095 - Master's Thesis - History track , including the thesis seminar PECOS4041 - Thesis seminar 2, history track .
Political science track:
• Common mandatory courses: 40 ECTS credits
• Mandatory courses for students on the political science track option: 30 ECTS credits
• Optional courses: 20 ECTS credits
• Master’s thesis (mandatory): 30 ECTS credits
Students who are admitted to the Political science track must take the compulsory courses in this track and write a political science master thesis. It is not possible to switch track during the studies.
Recommended study plan political science track option:
| 4. semester | PECOS4094 - Master's Thesis | PECOS4093 - Thesis seminar 2 - Political science track | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | PECOS4080 - Design seminar - Political science track | Optional course | PECOS4094 - Master's Thesis | PECOS4092 - Thesis seminar 1 - Political science track | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | PECOS4110 - International Negotiations/Conflict Resolution | PECOS4022 - Applied Statistics for Peace and Conflict Studies | Optional course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | PECOS4010 - Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies | PECOS4021 - Research Methods | HIS4421 - War, Peace and the Nobel Peace Prize | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits |
10 ECTS credits |
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The political science track is administrated by the Department of Political Science (ISV). Contact: ekspedisjon@stv.uio.no
Common mandatory courses:
In the first semester of the programme, all students take the courses PECOS4010 - Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies , PECOS4021 - Research Methods , and HIS4421 - War, Peace and the Nobel Peace Prize .
In the second semester all students take PECOS4110 - International Negotiations/Conflict Resolution . All students apply for a supervisor at the end of the second semester. The deadline for applying for a supervisor is 20 June, see application for supervisor in English. You may answer the application in Norwegian or English.
Mandatory courses for political science track:
The students who follow the track in political science take PECOS4022 - Applied Statistics for Peace and Conflict Studies in the second semester.
Through participation in PECOS4080 - Design seminar - Political science track in the third semester, you will further develop your ability to plan and complete a large scientific work.You will also attend the thesis seminar PECOS4092 - Thesis seminar 1 - Political science track in the third semester. You must be assigned a supervisor before you can take either PECOS4080 or PECOS4092.
The fourth semester is devoted to your work with your master’s thesis PECOS4094 - Master's Thesis, including the thesis seminar PECOS4093 - Thesis seminar 2 - Political science track.
Each semester starts with a common information meeting, which goal is to quide and inform you where about your focus should be for that particular semester. These information meetings are not mandatory, but we strongly recommend that you attend since important information will be given. The Institute prioritizes not to answer questions regarding information given at these meetings.
Optional courses:
All students on the master’s programme in Peace and Conflict studies take one optional course in the second semester and one in the third semester. The optional courses are supposed to compliment the students’ academic discipline of specialization and preferably contribute to deepen the students’ knowledge of one or more specialized topics pertaining to the Master’s thesis.
One of the optional courses is PECOS4006 - Internship. Please note that each student are only granted one internship. Students on both study options may choose from the list of master's courses in Political Science offered in English.
History track students may also choose master's courses in History.
Courses provided by other Departments/faculties/Universities: it is possible to take the optional courses (20 credits) in your MA degree at other Departments/Faculties at the UiO. It may also be possible to attend courses at other Universities/University colleges in Norway. Please read more about the requirements and how to apply on this web page.
Teaching and learning methods
The teaching methods at the programme are based on lectures, seminars and workshops.
Forms of examination and assessments
Examination forms at the programme are mainly written, invigilated exams and term paper assignments. The evaluation of the thesis is based on an assessment of the written thesis as well as an oral examination, during which the students will have the opportunity to defend the thesis.