ANU - GSIA | Peace and Conflict Studies

Oslo-bound domestic students at the Peace and Conflict pre-departure preparation and information session.

Peace and Conflict Studies Specialisation Application Information

Domestic Applicant Information

To see the complete GSIA application procedure for domestic students, please visit the GSIA Admissions web page.

It is possible for a domestic student to apply for a GSIA program and then, upon acceptance, apply for the Peace and Conflict Studies program whilst active within a GSIA program. This does not guarantee an offer to the Peace and Conflict Studies specialisation due to the number of Peace and Conflict Studies applications received, the final outcome being decided by the GSIA Board of Studies.

Part-time study is an available option for domestic students for the Australian component of the program at the ANU. As all students accepted for this program are required to study for one semester at the PRIO in Oslo, part-time is unfortunately not an option for that component of study.

International GSIA students specializing in Peace and Conflict studies

International Applicant Information

To see the complete GSIA application procedure for international students, please visit the GSIA Admissions web page.

The International Peace & Conflict Studies Student Enrolment Guide provides instructions on how to complete enrolment once accepted.

The Norwegian Government, through the International Scholarship Section (IS) of the Research Council of Norway, offers each academic year a pool of scholarships for advanced students and young researchers of certain (non-Norwegian) countries. Please read carefully over the Research Council web-site for eligibility requirements and application procedures.

GSIA Peace and Conflict Studies General Information

Program Outline

Students in the GSIA program have the opportunity to develop a specialisation in peace and conflict studies through participation in the Peace and Conflict Studies program. This is a program established by The Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO) and Bjørknes College in Oslo. The program is designed to provide advanced academic training in conflict resolution and peace-building within a broader understanding of international relations. This provides students with the knowledge to understand the international context in which conflict, conflict management and peace-building take place.

Students spend one semester in Oslo, pursuing courses specially developed and taught by the staff of PRIO. All other courses are taken at the ANU in Canberra and are principally taught by the academic staff of the Department of International Relations in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific. All students in the program will be enrolled in one of five degrees awarded by The Australian National University (MAIR, MIA, MDIPL/MAIR, MDIPL/MIA or GDIA).

While studying in Norway, students attend classes at Bjørknes College. They also have full access, including borrowing rights, to the specialist libraries of the Nobel Institute and PRIO.

This program commenced in August 2004. Since then, classes have included students from Norway, Australia, Mexico, France, Ethiopia, Eritrea, India, Indonesia and Georgia.. Students are enrolled in a busy schedule of courses on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Gender and War and The Ethics of War and Peace. These courses are coordinated by Dr. Hege Nygaard Barker and include guest lecturers drawn from the community of academic, politicians and practitioners.

For further information on this program, please see the Peace and Conflict Studies section of the GSIA Guidebook

International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO) Scholarship for Thesis Writing

Master of Arts (International Relations) (MAIR) students who have incorporated the Peace and Conflict specialisation into their degree are welcome to apply for the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO) Scholarship for Thesis Writing. The scholarship comprises a monthly allowance of NOK3,500, plus office space and supervision at the Institute in Oslo.

GSIA students will be competing on an equal basis with other non-GSIA applicants and the selection will be made on the basis of the quality of the application and its relevance to current PRIO research. Australian students will receive the same stipend that PRIO gives to others. As residence in Oslo is expected, applicants are reminded that NOK3,500/month does not go very far in Oslo and that additional financial support will have to be sourced.

Accepted GSIA students will have a supporting supervisor at ANU, in addition to their primary PRIO supervisor, to ensure that ANU requirements and expectations are met.

There are two deadlines for applications: 15 November and 15 March. Four to seven scholarships are awarded each round (twice a year). For more information, please consult the PRIO web-site. Note that specific information, including the format of applications, will be posted a month or so before the deadlines.