
International Relations: Global Conflict in the Modern Era
Master

The specialisation Global Conflict in the Modern Era of the master’s in International Relations at Leiden University engages you with the scholarly debates about global conflict today and in the recent past.
In the Global Conflict in the Modern Era master programme you will explore the patterns of war and peace in the modern world from a multidisciplinary angle, incorporating history, political and social science and area expertise. The master’s degree in International Relations examines the core concepts and dominant approaches to the study of war, as well as more recent and critical takes on these phenomena. You will also study the theoretical and empirical explanations for war and peace that have been offered by the academic scholarship.
Not only will the programme invite you to investigate classical texts and approaches to war and peace but also, terrorism, insurgency and genocide as prevalent modes of violent expression will feature in the curriculum. Are these phenomena for example driven by political considerations, as traditional approaches have suggested or are there other explanations for the use of violence? You will benefit from the close contacts between the University and national and international government institutions in The Hague, as well as the unique wealth of area studies available at Leiden University.
Ready to apply?
Visit course websiteLanguage
English
Title
Master of Arts
Duration
1 year
ECTS credits
ECTS
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme of study. Its aim is to facilitate the recognition of study periods undertaken by mobile students through the transfer of credits. The ECTS is based on the principle that 60 credits are equivalent to the workload of full-time student during one academic year.
Accreditation
Tuition fee 2025/2026
EU/EEA
The EU/EEA rate is the regular fee for students from within the EU/EEA.
€ 2,601
Non-EU/EEA
The non-EU/EEA rate is the rate for students from outside the EU/EEA.
€ 21,600
Admission
Application requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from a research university that matches the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree, or demonstrate to meet the requirements for such a degree, including general academic skills;
- the bachelor’s degree should be in the field of social sciences, humanities, law or economics, and
- prior education should include at least 30 EC that are comparable in level, content and course objectives to certain courses of the BA International Studies at Leiden University.
Language requirements
- C1
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English
- C2
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
- 6.5
- IELTS overall band
- 90
- TOEFL internet based
Check when you can start and what you have to pay!
Tuition fees | |
---|---|
€ 2,601 | |
€ 21,600 | |
InstitutionalThe institutional rate is for all students who have already obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree and who want to start a second programme leading to a degree at the same level or at a lower level. |
Information not available |
Start date | App. deadline EU/EEA | App. deadline Non-EU/EEA |
---|---|---|
1 Sep '25 | 15 May '25 | 1 Apr '25 |
Scholarships
You can check if you're eligible for scholarships that apply to this course.

