MSc Defence, Development and Diplomacy

I want to get the whole approach. I want to understand all the issues that are going on, as opposed to just a certain few. I looked at all the other courses that universities offered and they had maybe defence and diplomacy, diplomacy and development… This is the only one that combines all three.

Howard Murray, MSc DDD 2011/12

With conflicts becoming increasingly drawn-out and asymmetric, our understanding of conflict and conflict intervention is changing. Conflicts are no longer about military victory, diplomacy or development alone, but demand a comprehensive approach that focuses on populations and their political, economic and security needs. Crucial is how well the different arms of government and civil society, locally and internationally, work together, and how well they deal with populations' needs and local power structures to mitigate and prevent further violence.

This inter-disciplinary, custom-designed MSc offers the unique opportunity to look at conflict, conflict intervention and post-conflict reconstruction through the lenses of defence, development and diplomacy, drawing on real-life case studies, practitioner perspectives as well as interactive role plays.

The guest lecturers are unbelievable people you would never come into contact with.

Howard Murray, MSc DDD 2011/12

The programmes consist of:-

• 5 Core Modules and

• 3 Professional Workshops or

• a combination of Professional Workshops Optional Modules and/or a Field Trip

• a Research Dissertation or work-related equivalent on a particular topic selected by students.

The intensive professional workshops are open to practitioners who are not on the MScs as Continuing Professional Development courses, enhancing students' opportunities for networking and learning from other practitioners' perspectives.

The practitioners who have come in have given me something that is unique. They expose you to a new dimension of knowledge and understanding that is not purely theoretical.

Andrea Malouf, MSc DDD 2011/2012

The MSc is designed for practitioners looking to enhance their skills in the context of broader theoretical models, as well as graduates with a career in government, the armed forces, inter-governmental organisations, NGOs or academia in mind.

What the role plays do is to get the students to apply the theories that they’ve learned in the readings and the case studies instantaneously to the crisis right in front of them. They put themselves in the shoes of a person in the conflict situation and they often have to work around other people who are obstacles to what they are trying to achieve. You don’t have time to go back to your books and think, “well what should I do?”. You need to think instantly. It is “what would I do if I were in that situation?” and that makes all the difference.

Jeroen Gunning

Courses are taught by a mixture of academics and practitioners, and cover both critical and problem-solving approaches. Conflict dynamics are analysed drawing on multiple disciplines, including security studies, peace studies, anthropology, law, archaeology, history and political theory. Modules include both traditional term-long modules and short, usually more skills-oriented, continuing professional development courses as well as fieldtrips (e.g. during 2011-2012, fieldtrips were organised to Sri Lanka and Kosovo).

We have field trips and practical exercises that other masters don’t necessarily offer.

Gilberto Algar-Faria, MSc DDD 2011/2012

How to Apply

For more information on the course and how to apply please contact:       

Dr. Lorraine Holmes           lorraine.holmes@durham.ac.uk                     

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 5680

or Apply on Line

When you are asked to select a code, please select  L2K 609 for MSc Defence, Development and Diplomacy