COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master’s in Global Conflict in the Modern Era offers a well-structured curriculum that combines academic depth with practical training. The program consists of one specialisation core course, two general courses, a thesis preparatory course, two electives, and the final Master’s thesis. This structure allows students to build a solid foundation in the study of global conflict while tailoring their studies to their individual academic and professional interests. The electives provide flexibility, enabling students to focus on specific areas such as terrorism, international security, peacebuilding, or regional conflict studies. For a detailed overview of electives and options, students can consult the official Prospectus.A key component of the program is the Master’s thesis. To prepare students for this independent research project, a thesis preparatory course introduces essential conceptual, methodological, and theoretical issues relevant to the study of conflict and international relations. This is further supported by a series of seminars addressing specific topics related to international studies. Once in the thesis phase, students have considerable freedom to choose their topic, with guidance from supervisors who bring expertise across a wide range of conflict-related subjects.The program also encourages practical experience through internships, which are highly valued by international organisations and can be undertaken in the Netherlands or abroad. Past students have completed internships at institutions such as the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies worldwide, the Netherlands Permanent Mission to the United Nations, and research institutes like the Clingendael Institute, the International Centre for Counterterrorism, and The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. These opportunities not only enrich academic knowledge but also provide essential professional experience, networking, and career preparation.