MA Conflict Transformation and Social Justice
Masters Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of the Masters programme?
Fees change on an annual basis. Further information can be found at Student Finance and Fees Office.
Full-time:£5,220 (NI/EU/GB/Island) 2016/17 (1 year)
Full-time:£14,100 (International) 2016/17 (1 year)
Part-time: £29.00 per credit point (Home/EU) 2016/17 (60 credits/year)*
*The part-time standard postgraduate taught tuition fee (Home/EU), for student commencing study in the academic year 2016-17, is £29.00 per CATS point. A student is classified as part-time if the total CATS points of the courses that he/she is studying are less than or equal to 120 CATS points. If the required dissertation is not submitted by 30 September of the academic year in which the student is enrolled, he/she will be required to pay the fee for a full dissertation module (60 CATS points) for the following year, at the prevailing rate.
For additional information on the programme, please download the CTSJ MA Flyer.
When is the application deadline?
We advise all applicants to submit their applications before 31st August and International applicants should allow significant time for their Visa applications.
The application deadline to submit your application via the online portal, is the second week in September annually for study in that particular academic year.
How do I apply?
Applications and including those from international students, should be made using the Direct Applications Portal for the MA Conflict Transformation & Social Justice:
My Applications> New Application> Postgraduate Taught> Select Subject Area: Inst Stdy Cnflt Trns Jstc. Choose your particular course, Conflict Transformation and Social Justice (Master of Arts) and complete the online form.
*Candidates are advised to submit their applications before 31 August.
When will I be notified of the outcome of my application?
When you complete and submit your application online, it will be assessed by the Admissions Office and then by the Institute. Applicants are informed electronically of their decision. You will be notified of the outcome, via the email specified on your application form, by the Admissions and Access Service and you will be able to confirm your intentions via the Direct Application Portal. This process normally takes 3 – 4 weeks after it is received by the Institute.
How long will it take for notification of a decision?
Applicants who submit an online application via the Postgraduate Direct Applications Portal will be notified when their application has been submitted successfully. When an application has passed an initial check by the Admissions and Access Service, the applicant will be contacted by email and provided with an application number. Applicants will also be notified if an application contains insufficient information in order for a decision to be made. The application will be returned to the applicant via the Portal, where it will be possible for the necessary amendment(s) to be made and the application to be re-submitted.
Selectors at the Institute aim to make a decision online within 5 working days of receipt of a complete postgraduate taught application. Within the application form online, you are asked to fully detail both your work and research experience. In addition to this, you should also detail any relevant additional information under this heading which may highlight your experience further. Furthermore, you must provide two references and the Institute may request and use these as part of the assessment process for verifying your relevant experience.
A candidate will be required to provide their official academic transcript. Therefore, receipt of such documentation for these requirements can delay a decision.
The Admissions and Access Service is responsible for conveying the majority of official decisions to the applicant. Decisions on postgraduate applications should normally be communicated to applicants within 2 working days of the decision being received in the Admissions and Access Service. When a decision has been approved by the Admissions and Access Service, the postgraduate online application system will automatically send an email to the applicant, via the email specified on your application form.
Please note that delays in a decision can occur if references are not supplied when requested from your referees and copies of official transcripts are missing.
We ask applicants to make sure they have the agreement of their chosen two referees before making their application.
What are the entry requirements?
For current general University entry requirements for this pathway go to http://www.qub.ac.uk/ado
Criteria For Admission (Subject Specific Requirements) To Programme
The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice requires applicants for this MA programme to have normally as a minimum a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent recognised qualification) in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences discipline or another cognate subject area. Those applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) may be admitted if they hold a Masters degree, or if they have 3 years relevant working experience in the field of conflict transformation, youth work, social justice or related experience in community engagement or public service delivery.
Additional Admissions Information for International Students
International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 yrs.
For further information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals, please see http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishlanguageReqs
INTO at Queen’s can provide tuition to help you meet the University’s English Language Requirements, please see http://intohigher.com/qub
I have a 2:2, how do I demonstrate my 3 years relevant experience?
Demonstrating 3 years relevant working experience in the field of conflict transformation, youth work, social justice or related experience in community engagement or public service delivery.
Within the online application form, you are asked to fully detail both your work and research experience. In addition to this, you should also clearly detail any relevant additional information under this heading which may highlight your experience further. Furthermore, you must provide two references and the Institute will request and use these as part of the assessment process for verifying your relevant experience.
Remember:
- Employment Experience - please ensure you detail the 3 years relevant experience
- Previous Research Experience - please ensure you detail the 3 years relevant experience
- Additional Information - you should also fully utilise this section to clearly detail any relevant additional information which may highlight your experience further.
How many hours a week are spent in class, and roughly how many hours of work is done outside of class?
As per Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education guidelines, students can expect to spend 10 hours learning on average in order to gain one academic credit. This includes time spent in scheduled learning and teaching activities and private/personal study (for example, preparation for scheduled sessions, reading, preparation for assignment tasks, revision, and so on).
You will do roughly 9-12 hrs per week in class including the PDP (tutoring but not every week). You would be expected to undertake more than that time in reading and coursework preparation.
For further information, please click QAA guidelines.
When will I attend classes?
Please see University Semester Dates, including assessment dates, however, courses may vary.
The taught modules are delivered during two 12 week semesters.
Modules are structured into the three main themes of concentration:
Theme 1. Conflict Transformation
Theme 2. Asserting Social Justice, Inclusion and Rights
Theme 3. Religion, Society, Peace-building and Conflict
* Please note that not all these modules are available in any given year. Module choice is dependent upon availability and timetabling.*
Studying Part-Time
Students can opt to study this programme 2 years part-time or either 1 year full-time study.
Recommended Timeline for Part-time Masters Students:
Year 1: Autumn Term | 2 compulsory modules (40 CATS) |
Year 1: Spring Term |
1 compulsory module (20 CATS) 1 elective module (20 CATS) |
Year 2: Autumn Term | 2 elective modules (40 CATS) |
Year 2: Spring Term | Dissertation (60 CATS) |
Please refer to the finance guidelines below for fee calculation for part-time study.
Fees change on an annual basis. Further information can be found at Student Finance and Fees Office.
Part-time: £29.00 per credit point (Home/EU) 2016/17 (60 credits/year)*
*The part-time standard postgraduate taught tuition fee (Home/EU), for student commencing study in the academic year 2016-17, is £29.00 per CATS point.
A student is classified as part-time if the total CATS points of the courses that he/she is studying are less than or equal to 120 CATS points. If the required dissertation is not submitted by 30 September of the academic year in which the student is enrolled, he/she will be required to pay the fee for a full dissertation module (60 CATS points) for the following year, at the prevailing rate.
Is financial assistance available for this programme?
All part-time postgraduate applicants should be aware that it is extremely unlikely that statutory financial assistance will be available. It is advisable that you have financial arrangements in place before commencing a postgraduate course.
Queen's University Scholarships for International Students
The University has a number of scholarships for international students. For more information go to International Scholarships.
Queen's University Scholarships for Home / EU Students
The University currently has a number of Home / EU Postgraduate Taught scholarships (full-time). Please visit the Postgraduate Scholarships page for further information.
Queen’s University Financial Support
- The Support Fund provides discretionary financial help for students who get into financial difficulty during their course. Full-time and part-time (50% of equivalent full-time course) home undergraduates and postgraduate students can apply.
- Hardship Fund - Students who are not eligible for support funds, for example, non UK students, can apply to the University’s Hardship Fund.
For further information on both Funds, including eligibility and advice on making an application, visit the Income and Student Finance section of the Student Centre website (www.qub.ac.uk/sgc).
Northern Ireland Government Financial Support
- Part-time Students - If you are a part-time higher education student and studying at least 50% of an equivalent full-time course you may be entitled to a grant towards your fees and a grant towards your course costs. Entitlement to the grants will depend on your income and that of your husband, wife or partner and there is no age limit for this support. You will not have to repay this help. Students who already have a degree cannot normally apply for this support.
- Disabled Students’ Allowances - Full-time and part-time students with disabilities, mental health conditions or specific learning difficulties may be able to get a Disabled Students' Allowance.
For more information, visit the Department for Employment and Learning’s website: www.delni.gov.uk
Scholarship opportunities and Campus Jobs
Institute Scholarship opportunities
The Ann Browne Masters Scholarship in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice - September 2017
A scholarship award is available for UK/GB/Ireland students who have applied to the MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice commencing September 2017 at Queen’s University Belfast. The Scholarship is funded through a pecuniary legacy gift from Chris Browne, the sister of Ann Browne.
Ann Browne graduated from Queen’s University in the early 1970s with a BA degree in Spanish. This fund is to commemorate the life and work of Ann Browne.
The Ann Browne scholarship will cover tuition fees for one UK/GB/Ireland applicant for full-time study on the MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice, for September 2017 entry.
A formal application process will be held for this scholarship, the deadline for applications is noon, 17 July 2017.
If you have any queries regarding the Scholarship or application process please contact Dr Ulrike M. Vieten.
Queen's University Scholarships for International Students
The University has a number of scholarships for international students. For more information visit the International Scholarships page.
Queen's University Scholarships for Home / EU Students
The University currently has a number of Home / EU Postgraduate Taught scholarships (full-time). For more information visit Postgraduate Scholarships.
Queen's University Online Campus Jobs for University Students
Oncampus Jobs provides an opportunity for Queens University students to develop their employability skills through gaining work experience oncampus through part-time jobs and one year placement experience oncampus, throughout the year. If you are interested in finding out more about what the service has to offer and the job vacancies available, please visit the Student Gateway page.
FindAMasters Scholarship available for this course!
FindAMasters are offering students wishing to start their postgraduate studies in autumn 2016 at any university listed on FindAMasters.com the chance of winning a Masters scholarship.
Register your interest.
How is the programme structured?
The programme is modular in structure. Modules attract Credit Points under the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). The minimum number of Credit Points required for each Postgraduate qualification is as follows:
Master's degree: 180 M-Level points
Postgraduate Diploma: 120 M-Level points
Students are required to complete THREE compulsory taught modules; Global Concepts and Practices of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice (20 CATS), Conducting Research in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice (20 CATS), Making Knowledge Work (20 CATS), as well as the triple-weighted dissertation (60 CATS points).
In addition to the compulsory modules, students take 60 CATS points of optional modules from existing programmes delivered by the following Schools: Arts, English and Languages; Law; History, Anthropology, Politics and Philosophy; Psychology; and Social Sciences, Education and Social Work.
A student cannot take more than 40 credits in any School. Where a student wishes to take more than 40 credits in a particular School, it is recommended that they apply for the Masters programme in that School.
The taught modules are delivered during two 12 week semesters.
Career Opportunities
The MA programme provides our graduates with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers in the private, public and voluntary sectors, both domestically and internationally. In addition, the learning and intellectual environment provided by the Institute will prepare students for Doctoral study.
We increasingly find that undergraduate degrees alone are insufficient to secure appropriate employment. Postgraduate taught degrees are used to top-up learning and employability skills, and enhance knowledge and information.
Some employers are less interested in the topic of the postgraduate degree and more in the advanced study skills and employability skills it furnishes. The study and employability skills associated with the MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice include:
- Group work
- Independent learning
- The collection and analysis of information
- Research skills
- Problem solving
- Communication skills, oral and written
- Working under time constraints and to deadlines
- Presentation skills
Occasionally, the knowledge content and study and employability skills garnered in a postgraduate degree lend themselves to specific careers. Possible careers facilitated by the MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice include:
- Work in the third sector, charities and civil society
- Work in the fields of conflict transformation, peace and reconciliation, and conflict resolution
- Social and community work, dispute resolution and counselling
- Policing
- Community development in divided communities and conflict zones
- Work in international aid agencies and non-governmental organisations in the fields of peace and development, human rights, religion and conflict, victims, trauma, refugees, emergency relief and the like
In addition to traditional students who are looking for a postgraduate degree to either top up skills or as a route into a specific career, postgraduate degrees are increasingly used by professionals and practitioners looking for continuing professional development in their field. The MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice acts as useful continuing professional development for the following careers:
- Policing
- Teaching
- Social and community work
- Law
- Clergy and religious ministry
- The victims sector
- Counselling
- Journalism
- Politics and policy development
Assessment
There will be continuous assessment by coursework and end-of-semester examination. The Programme will also be complemented by a non-assessed Personal Development Programme (PDP) which will ensure that you integrate your personal and academic development.
All assessments for the Institute are submitted electronically to Queen's Online.
What do I do if I wish to withdraw my application?
This should be done via the Direct Applications Portal where you applied and we would be grateful if you could do this as soon as you are no longer in a position to continue with your application.