Peace and Conflict Studies
I really enjoyed the programme’s critical approach to the field of peace and conflict studies and that of peacebuilding more generally. I loved the interdisciplinary perspective, which facilitates a more flexible and creative approach to the studies.
Mette Skaarup, former student
About the education
Armed conflict and other forms of organised violence affect the daily lives of people in many parts of the world. The programme in Peace and Conflict Studies will provide you with an understanding of systemic as well as grassroots-level perspectives on organised violence, conflict resolution and the concept of peace. During the course of study, you will learn to understand and analyse how various types of armed conflict and organised violence arise and develop over time, and also under which conditions sustainable peace might emerge.
This three-year bachelor's programme provides you with in-depth knowledge of Peace and Conflict Studies as a field, including its historical and theoretical foundations and its key analytical and methodological approaches. Moreover, you will get insights into specialised subject areas within the field such as: civil society and social movements; media, propaganda and enemy images; and the role of the United Nations.
Peace and Conflict Studies is a multidisciplinary programme which draws on perspectives from political science, history, law, anthropology and philosophy. Throughout the programme, we address sets of questions such as:
- Why and how do armed conflicts and other forms of organised violence arise? What are the systemic and structural causes? What is the impact of media, propaganda and enemy images?
- How do combatants and victims of armed conflict experience and handle their situation? How can violence and oppression be resisted?
- What is required to achieve peace? How can violent conflicts be managed and turned into peaceful conditions by peaceful means?
- What role do international organisations and civil society play in working for peace both locally and globally? How do they go about their work in practice?
Within the framework of the programme, you have two elective semesters. You have the opportunity to do an internship with a relevant national or international organisation, authority, association or company, giving you practical experience outside the traditional classroom setting. You also have the chance to study abroad for either one or two semesters; Malmö University cooperates with a large number of universities to provide exchange opportunities for our students.
The diversity of the programme combined with its multidisciplinary focus will provide you with competencies that are sought after in numerous sectors and in a constantly growing labour market.
You will acquire skills and knowledge to prepare you for further academic studies at master’s level, or for employment in fields such as: foreign policy; international relations; global affairs; refugee and asylum issues; analysis, prevention and resolution of conflicts; peace building; and reconciliation.
Future employers may include private sector businesses, local and international organisations and agencies, as well as national authorities and government organisations.
Courses within the programme
Autumn 2025 - Semester 1
Spring 2026 - Semester 2
Autumn 2026 - Semester 3
- Civil Society Actors in Local, National and International Contexts (FK201L), 15 credits
- Project Management and Methods in Zones of Conflict (FK202L), 15 credits
Spring 2027 - Semester 4
Elective semester: courses at the Department of Global Political Studies, Malmö University, other Swedish universities or abroad (i.e. exchange studies), or internship.
Autumn 2027 - Semester 5
Elective semester: courses at the Department of Global Political Studies, Malmö University, other Swedish universities or abroad (i.e. exchange studies), or internship.
Spring 2028 - Semester 6
Entry requirements and selection
Here you can find the entry requirements, as well as how the available study places are distributed between applicants in the selection.
If you have any questions about general admission, you are welcome to contact us.
Entry requirements
General entry requirements + Civics 1b or Civics 1a1 +1a2 and English 6.
Selection
66% Upper Secondary Grades - 34% Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (SweSAT)
Please note that the SweSAT is a test only available in Swedish, and is in no way mandatory for admission.
A broad programme that is a real eye-opener
Yannick Deller got the opportunity to study five different courses in Hong Kong during his exchange semester. Now, he recommends anyone who wishes to learn more to take the chance.
A broad programme that is a real eye-opener
Yannick Deller got the opportunity to study five different courses in Hong Kong during his exchange semester. Now, he recommends anyone who wishes to learn more to take the chance.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
"Through Peace and Conflict Studies I was given the opportunity to develop my own critical thinking and question certain dominant beliefs as well as value systems. It was truly an eye-opener in this sense. The programme is broad and offers many different attempts at explaining certain social, cultural and economic conflicts. Due to the international and multicultural nature of the programme, it also offered me the chance to discuss all these issues with people from all over the world."
When you studied abroad: where did you go and what did you learn?
"I went on exchange to Hong Kong and took five different courses there. Overall, I would say I developed an understanding of different cultural, societal and political viewpoints on everyday challenges people face. Through meeting and interacting with local students, I gained a more thorough understanding of the very unique culture of Hong Kong. I highly recommend that anyone who wishes to learn more go on exchange!"
Who would you recommend this programme to?
"I think this is a programme for everyone who is not satisfied with the 'status quo' or anyone who wants to make the world a better place than it was yesterday. My point is not that this programme will give you a definitive answer or solution for this endeavour but it will teach you how to think about these issues. Not to say that it will teach you a certain way of thinking, but rather it will teach you to question your thinking. It will broaden your way of perceiving problems, solutions, and individual experiences."
Do you have any advice for someone who is looking to apply to the programme?
"Be aware of the workload, it is going to be a lot. You will be doing a considerable amount of reading and researching, but it’s worth it. Also, be aware that this programme has some emotionally heavy readings and witness accounts of violence. It can sometimes be difficult to process such information, hence study groups and friends are a good way of sharing and negotiating these experiences. Finally, if your native language is not English, don’t worry about it! You will get used to it and it’s a pretty great way of developing your language skills."
What do you want to work with in the future?
"Right now, my current plan is to pursue an academic career. I love research and teaching. I like to think about knowledge as a product of human interaction, and I believe that an academic career will allow me to learn more about the world through the interaction with other people, be it by researching a certain topic or teaching students."
Encouraging and supportive professors helped Mette to develop her ideas
Mette Skaarup’s dream job is to work with integration and community-building projects. Thanks to her studies at the Peace and Conflict programme, she’s now headed in the right direction.
Encouraging and supportive professors helped Mette to develop her ideas
Mette Skaarup’s dream job is to work with integration and community-building projects. Thanks to her studies at the Peace and Conflict programme, she’s now headed in the right direction.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
"I enjoyed the programme’s critical approach to the field of peace and conflict studies and that of peacebuilding more generally. I loved the interdisciplinary perspective, which facilitates a more flexible and creative approach to the studies. We read a range of literature from a variety of disciplines and this has given me a robust foundation for my further academic endeavour. I also loved studying alongside students from all over the world — this brought a richer texture to our discussions both within and outside the classroom."
When you studied abroad: where did you go and what did you learn?
"During my fourth semester, I did an exchange semester at the wonderful Quest University in British Columbia, Canada. It was a super-intensive period of studying and learning, living on campus and attending classes every day of the week. I had the opportunity to take four different modules, which allowed me to delve deeper into my topics of interest, such as counter-terrorism, cyber politics and foreign policy in the Middle East. I also became a much better skier, enjoying the University’s proximity to Whistler Ski Resort!"
How were the teachers and the classroom environment at Malmö University?
"We had most of our second and third-year classes in the newly built Niagara building, close to both the central train station and the city centre (and good falafel!). We were fortunate enough to be taught by some very engaged professors from different academic backgrounds. They all brought different perspectives and ideas to our lessons and were always very encouraging and supportive, challenging me to develop my ideas and work."
Do you have any tips or advice for someone who is looking to apply for the programme?
"Just apply! If you’re prepared to work hard and to be challenged, you will gain a lot from this programme. I would also encourage students to get involved in student associations, volunteer organisations or other local initiatives. This will enrich your study experience and make you feel more connected to the multicultural city of Malmö."
What do you want to work with in the future? What is your dream job?
"I might continue within academia, combining what I’ve learnt in Peace and Conflict Studies with insights from my master’s programme in Migration Studies to study security and migration-related issues. Otherwise, I dream of working with integration and community-building projects in one of the countries I’ve come to think of as home."
