Bachelor of Science Level 3 (Top-up) in Peace and Conflict Management
Program Summary
Develop the knowledge, analytical skills, and professional competencies required to prevent, manage, and transform conflicts while promoting peace, security, good governance, and sustainable development across Africa and beyond. This interdisciplinary programme combines peace studies, conflict analysis, international relations, humanitarian action, diplomacy, governance, human rights, and field-based learning to prepare graduates for leadership in governments, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector.
Program Overview
Purpose
To contribute to sustainable peace, security, democratic governance, and human development in Africa by producing competent professionals capable of preventing, managing, and transforming conflicts through innovative, ethical, and evidence-based approaches.
Goal
To develop highly skilled peace building professionals equipped with multidisciplinary knowledge and practical competencies in conflict prevention, mediation, peace building, humanitarian action, diplomacy, governance, and international security.
Building Peace. Strengthening Governance. Transforming Africa
Sustainable peace is one of the greatest development challenges of the twenty-first century. Across Africa, communities continue to confront armed conflicts, violent extremism, political instability, governance deficits, humanitarian crises, forced displacement, climate-related insecurity, electoral violence, and competition over natural resources. Addressing these complex challenges requires a new generation of professionals equipped with interdisciplinary knowledge, practical skills, ethical leadership, and innovative solutions.
The Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Peace and Conflict Management at the Pan African Institute for Development – East and Southern Africa (PAID–ESA) has been designed to prepare graduates capable of preventing conflicts, promoting peaceful coexistence, strengthening democratic institutions, facilitating dialogue, and supporting sustainable development throughout Africa and beyond.
Rooted in PAID's more than six decades of Pan-African academic excellence, the programme combines Peace Studies, Conflict Analysis, International Relations, Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, International Law, Governance, Diplomacy, Security Studies, Refugee Studies, and Development Practice into an integrated learning experience that reflects contemporary global realities.
Students develop practical competencies through case studies, mediation simulations, policy analysis, humanitarian field exercises, research projects, internships, community engagement, and professional mentoring. By graduation, they possess both the analytical capacity and practical experience needed to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding processes at local, national, regional, and international levels.
The programme prepares graduates not only to respond to crises but also to anticipate emerging risks, design preventive strategies, strengthen institutions, and promote resilient societies founded on justice, inclusion, dialogue, and sustainable development.
At PAID–ESA, students become part of a Pan-African network of future leaders committed to advancing peace, security, good governance, and human dignity across the continent.
Build Peace. Inspire Change. Shape Africa's Future.
Program Objectives
- 1Analyse the causes, dynamics, and consequences of conflicts at local, national, regional, and international levels.
- 2Apply conflict prevention and early warning methodologies.
- 3Design and facilitate mediation, negotiation, and peace building initiatives.
- 4Promote democratic governance, social cohesion, and inclusive development.
- 5Apply principles of international humanitarian law and human rights.
- 6Manage humanitarian and post-conflict recovery programmes.
- 7Conduct research and policy analysis in peace and security.
- 8Strengthen institutional resilience and crisis management capacities.
- 9Promote reconciliation, dialogue, and community resilience.
- 10Contribute to regional and international peace and security initiatives.
Expected Outcomes
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to: Analyse conflict dynamics. Design peacebuilding interventions. Conduct mediation and negotiations. Apply international humanitarian and human rights law. Strengthen democratic governance. Lead humanitarian operations. Conduct policy and conflict analysis. Design early warning systems. Promote reconciliation and social cohesion. Manage development programmes in fragile contexts. Undertake professional research. Provide strategic advice on peace and security.
Target Audience
- Ideal for holders of a recognised two-year university qualification seeking to complete a Bachelor's degree in Peace and Conflict Management, as well as professionals working in government institutions, security services, humanitarian and development organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations, diplomatic services, local government, peacebuilding initiatives, and individuals aspiring to build careers in peace, security, governance, conflict resolution, mediation, and international development.
Program Details
Partners
Organized By
Pan African Institute for Development (PAID) in collaboration with strategic academic and professional partners.
Admission Requirements
- •Third-Year (Top-Up) Entry
Evaluation
Financial Information
Top-Up Bachelor’s Degree (BSc Top-Up) Duration: 12 Months Total Programme Fee (Tuition + Registration Inclusive): 970,000 XAF (≈ USD 1,940) Scholarship: 50% (for eligible applicants) Registration Fee: 70,000 XAF (≈ USD 140) (included) 📌 Registration is paid once only (12-month programme) Total Cost (12 Months) • Total programme fee: 970,000 XAF (≈ USD 1,940) • Scholarship (50%): –485,000 XAF (≈ –USD 970) Total payable after scholarship: 485,000 XAF (≈ USD 970)
Available
Prerequisites
- •A basic understanding of governance, social sciences, international relations, law, development studies, or humanitarian affairs is advantageous but not mandatory. Applicants should demonstrate a genuine interest in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, governance, diplomacy, human rights, and sustainable development.