Career prospects

The Master’s programme in Conflict Studies and Human Rights offers good preparation for careers in any sector involving conflict analysis, including the public sector, business, non-governmental and international organisations.

The use of English as the working language of the programme will be an advantage for students who will later pursue a career in an international setting. Ministries, NGOs, businesses, and municipalities are increasingly recruiting students with a degree in Conflict Studies.

    Towards the job market

    Our alumni have found jobs at national and international NGOs in the field of conflict studies, human rights, and development, including Pax for Peace, OXFAM, War Child, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group. Others work as academic researchers or investigative journalists documenting various conflicts, or found work at national public institutions, including municipalities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense, or international bodies, including the UN.

    Alumni on LinkedIn

    • Kaarlo Kallio

      Communication Officer at the European Commission 

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2024-2025)

    • Leo Hochberg

      OCA Governance Support at Médecins Sans Frontières

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2020-2021)

    • Alessia Cappelletti

      Head of Intel Analysis Team at Dyami I Security Intelligence

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2019-2020)

    • Saba Azeem

      Project Lead- Protection of Civilians (Iraq) at PAX for peace

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2018-2019)

    • Ali Aljasem

      PhD Candidate in Conflict Studies at Utrecht University

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2016-2017)

    • Floor Zweerink

      Safety Advisor at the municipality of Utrecht

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2013-2014)

       

    • Agnes Koppelman

      Deputy Head of Mission / Project Lead Olympic & Paralympic Games LA28 at the Netherlands Consulate General San Francisco

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2011-2012)

    • Vincent van Halsema

      Global Social Protection Advisor Fragile & Conflict Setting at UN World Food Programme

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2008-2009)

    • Nora Stel

      Assistant Professor in Conflict Studies at Radboud University

      (Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2008-2009)

    Academic careers

    With its strong emphasis on research, which is either in the field or through an internship, almost 1 out of 5 graduates move on to a PhD position.

    Facts and figures

    Graduates from this programme have found a job in the following fields:

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    • 30% work for national NGOs in the field of conflict, humanitarian aid, transformation, security, and peacebuilding.
    • 17% of our alumni move on to a PhD position, both at home and abroad, to research issues of violence, war, conflict and peace.
    • 10% find a job in the media as freelance journalists or documentary makers.
    • 10% work as consultants, either in-house with a consultancy firm or think-tank or as independent consultants in the field of conflict, humanitarian aid, stabilisation etc.
    • 9% work in business for banks or multinational corporations such as Rabobank, often as conflict analysts.
    • 6% work at ministries or embassies, mostly in foreign affairs, defence, or in municipalities or other public institutions.
    • 5% work for an NGO outside of the field of conflict e.g. youth, art etc.
    • 4% have got a job at international institutions such as the NATO or World Bank.
    • 5% move on to do another Master’s or further internships.
    • 4% are looking for a job.

      Career development

      Network building

      Our alumni play an important role in preparing you for the job market. Throughout the year we invite former students to talk about their personal career trajectories, their views on employability, and share suggestions for career planning. We have an active MA Conflict Studies & Human Rights Alumni group on LinkedIn with over 400 former students. Study association CS Ubuntu offers current students the opportunity to build networks and take advice and inspiration from alumni who have built their careers since 2005.

      Career Services

      Career Services offers events, tests, coaching and training in and outside your Master's programme, related to professional self-analysis, career orientation and job application skills. You can find more information about career services on Career Services for Dutch students or Career Services for international students.

      Other career events

      • Your Perspective is a monthly career orientation meeting for students and alumni of the Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University. 
      • The Faculty of Humanities organises a Career Night Humanities with interesting partners who will illustrate the diversity in career opportunities for humanities graduates. 
      • Once a year Utrecht University organises a Careers Day. This Careers Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair.