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Introduction

Location

Distance learning

Course Length


Course length: Part time: 30 months -

Why choose this course?

Overview

The Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding master's degree is for practitioners already working in these fields and in related areas.

Designed and delivered jointly with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding master's gives you access to resources and support from both institutions online and in the field through UN missions. And we use the knowledge and expertise of the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP).

A flexible and user-friendly online learning environment enables you to learn from your workplace. During the course you will:

 investigate cutting-edge issues in the field
 propose innovative tools
 reflect on current field practices
 broaden your perceptions
 develop and refine the hard and soft skills needed to work effectively.

You will have support from a team of academic experts and top-ranked practitioners, and field experts for specific topics.

This course is also relevant for practitioners working in other fields interested in exploring opportunities in conflict transformation.

Modules

Compulsory modules

From Conflict Sensitivity to Conflict Transformation (20 credits)

This module equips you with a sound understanding of the complexity of conflicts, including of conceptual frameworks and theoretical debates related to humanitarian action and peacebuilding in complex environments. It provides you with the analytical tools to understand the contexts of conflict and to assess the challenges faced as practitioners.

Culture-Sensitivity in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings (20 credits)

It is agreed that emergencies, rehabilitation and peacebuilding programmes need to be embedded in local cultures. How can we be truly 'culture sensitive'? If this principle is clear, the practicalities remain confusing and difficult to put into operation. Culture sensitivity requires knowledge, skills and competences but also an attitude towards others. This module allows you to understand and deal with core issues related to culture, communication, trust building and culture-sensitivity. You also to explore issues related to cultural dimensions such as gender, displacement and identity.

Leadership, Team and Self-management in Conflict Settings (20 credits)

You will critically examine some of the personal skills (or 'soft skills') needed by professionals working in humanitarian action and peacebuilding. In particular, the module focuses on leadership skills, team management and self-management skills. The session on self-management is more specifically centred on stress and stress management and introduces you to a number of techniques that can be applied for self-support, but also to support peers and members of communities in conflict-affected countries.

Protection of Civilians in Conflict and Post-conflict Settings (20 credits)

This module reviews the critical issues related to the protection of civilians in conflict and post-conflict contexts by exploring different conceptual and operational frameworks. In its second part, the module focuses on the planning and implementation of protection activities and offers you the opportunity to apply different tools to concrete situations. The module concludes with a discussion on community-based protection strategies, including unarmed civilian protection.

Post-Conflict Stabilisation and Recovery (20 credits)
This module reviews the critical issues related to the protection of civilians in conflict and post-conflict contexts by exploring different conceptual and operational frameworks. In its second part, the module focuses on the planning and implementation of protection activities and offers you the opportunity to apply different tools to concrete situations. The module concludes with a discussion on community-based protection strategies, including unarmed civilian protection.

Humanitarian and Peacebuilding Programmes in Urban Conflicts (20 credits)

Focusing on urban spaces becomes increasingly important for the efficiency of humanitarian actions, but presents new challenges as humanitarian and development traditions are usually focused on 'open spaces' and rural environments. In urban conflicts, all lines are blurred and programming will need to take that into account. Conflicts particularly have an impact on the way people produce, understand and inhabit spaces and places. Rebuilding some social links and establishing communities in locations will become one of the key elements in conflict transformation and humanitarian programmes. Through action research methods, issues related to urban settings and specificities of humanitarian projects can be investigated.

Conflict and Post-conflict Research: Methods and Ethics (10 credits)

Optional modules

Mental health, psychosocial support, and wellbeing in conflict-affected areas (20 credits)

The objective of this module is to explore, through a culturally sensitive lens, the impact of mental health and psychosocial problems on the wellbeing of humanitarian and peacebuilding practitioners as well as on the affected populations. It will present a double framework for practitioners working in the field: firstly it will look at how practitioners can operate in a way that is sensitive towards the psychosocial problems faced by the affected populations (hence avoid aggravating the suffering of the communities they serve); secondly, it will consider how these problems, as well as the stress intrinsic to working in conflict affected areas can impact on humanitarian workers themselves - offering some guidance and tools on how to better account for well-being in crisis situations.

Forced Migration, Protection and Humanitarianism (20 credits)

This module explores the experience of refugees and other forced migrants displaced by conflict. It examines the causes of contemporary forced migration in order to understand the implications of different causes for the nature of migration flows and the corresponding humanitarian response. It critically evaluates the international and regional normative frameworks for the protection of forced migrants, considering different migrant categories: refugees, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, and victims of human trafficking. The module considers the practical dilemmas in protecting the rights of forced migrants.
Final Project

Compulsory modules

Practice-based Study/ Dissertation (50 credits)

The dissertation is a large piece of work that enables you to explore an issue or theme in depth. The dissertation is a self-driven work, where the supervisor plays the role of advisor, supporter and questioner.

Optional modules

Independent Study (20 credits)


Learning and teaching

This programme is based on self-led learning and strong interactive teaching tools, as much on peer-to-peer as on tutors’ mentoring.

You’ll learn from the workplace, using practical cases either through action-research or through case studies; particularly in 'learning by doing', 'self-reflection' and 'action testing of theories'.

The course merges practice-based knowledge from field practitioners with research outputs from practice-oriented scholars. We use studies and theories from:

 social sciences
 peace and conflict studies
 humanities
 political sciences
 law
 urban planning
 architecture.

UNITAR and Brookes have considerable experience in delivering humanitarian education to humanitarian actors in field operations. Insight from previous education programmes in similar settings shows that learners are often under constant stress, working in harsh conditions and with limited access to the internet.

As a result, a variety of learning tools are applied within each module.

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

Our course is based on self-led learning. You'll engage with strong interactive teaching tools and peer-to-peer learning. Our teaching methods include:

 online lectures
 webinars
 tutorials
 debates
 discussions
 action research
 experience sharing
 discussions with key practitioners
 critical reflection on practices.
You will learn from your workplace, using practical cases through action research or case studies and you will:

 develop new knowledge based on the specifics of humanitarian action and peacebuilding
 improve related practices
 reflect and acquire attitudes and personal competences.

Research

This course is a joint initiative from the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) at Oxford Brookes and the UNITAR Peacekeeping Training programme.

The CENDEP is a multidisciplinary research centre. We develop practice-oriented approaches for conflict, and disaster-settings. And focus on:

 humanitarian action
 recovery
 development
 human rights
 peacebuilding.

Our research contributes to knowledge for the development of:

 global policy-making
 development of national laws and strategies
 mobilisation and engagement with local communities.

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Peacekeeping Training Programme contributes to the international community’s efforts towards the peaceful resolution of conflicts. And the building of lasting peace. Training and capacity-development activities cover:

 multilateralism
 economic development and social inclusion
 environmental sustainability and green development
 sustainable peace
 research and technology applications.

Entry Criteria

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

The programme is open to all candidates who fulfil at least one of the following conditions:

 hold an approved honours degree (or equivalent) at 2:1 or above in a relevant discipline, and preferably some experience in the field of humanitarian action and peacebuilding or related fields
 hold a relevant recognised diploma and/or certified professional qualification and 3 to 5 years' experience in humanitarian action and peacebuilding or related fields
 have substantial and proven field experience (minimum 10 years) in humanitarian action, peacebuilding and related fields.

In exceptional circumstances, where applicants can show that they have qualifications or experience or both that demonstrate that they have knowledge and capabilities equivalent to those listed above, they may be admitted onto the course.

Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:

 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.

English language requirements

At least 6.5 in IELTS, with a minimum of 6.0 across all four components of the test.

If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.

The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.

The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:

Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.


Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment

This course has been designed to be studied by students working in the field.


100% Online delivery

The programme is 100% online conducted via webinars, tutorials, discussions and group work. The workload per module is estimated to be 200 hours per module divided into four types of activities.

Around 25 % of your time will be spent in staff-led activities such as webinars, tutorials and discussions, 25% of your time will be spent in self-led activities such as readings or independent exercises, another 25 % will be used in preparing your assignments and finally the remaining quarter of your workload will be directly derived from or based on professional past of current practices.

Part-time

This part-time programme is usually studied over 30 months. Being part-time, it allows you to remain in the field working whilst completing your studies. However, you can extend your studies if needed and take up to 5 years to complete it. Or finish it in 24 months if you can take time off work to complete the course.

Start this course in January

You have the option to start this course in January. You will study a range of modules between January and May. During the summer months of June, July and August you will study further modules and begin work on your dissertation. Between September and December you will complete your final modules and focus on your dissertation.

Career Opportunities

This course is ideal for a career in the field of humanitarian action, conflict transformation or related fields, such as:

 civil servants or diplomats in charge of humanitarian affairs
 academics teaching humanitarian practices
 journalists seeking a better understanding of humanitarian issues
 military personnel ready to be deployed in a field of operation where humanitarian actions are taking place.

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