Interest in the field of peace and conflict studies is growing across the globe. Since the 1950s and 1960s when peace studies began to emerge as an academic discipline with its own research tools, a specialized set of concepts and forums for discussions such as journals and conferences, the number of institutions offering the course at all levels have significantly increased. Suffice to add that research institutes focusing on peace research have also increased significantly. Notable amongst such institutes is the Peace Research Institute (PRIO) based in Oslo, Norway, which is associated with renowned peace scholar, Johan Galtung. The growth in institutions and research centres offering specialized courses in peace studies has led to an increase in the number of students desirous of peace education, especially from institutions providing some form of funding or the other. This article examines the institutions offering tuition-free peace and conflict studies across the globe.
Programme Information: The Durban University of Technology’s Peacebuilding Programme is arguably the biggest and most exhaustive of its kind on the continent of Africa. Although the institution’s main focus is on PhD studies, it nonetheless offers limited fully-funded masters studies in peacebuilding, with a focus on action research methodology, which directly builds peace among individuals and communities. The degrees start with a compulsory on-campus component of one month during which time students attend classes and submit assignments on peace theory, receive training in practical peacebuilding and learn the details of writing a research thesis.
