Career prospects

Since the end of the Cold War there has been a growing demand for experts on violent conflict. 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

    Graduates of our programme have found work as:

    Our alumni have found jobs at:
    Free Press Unlimited | African Diaspora Policy Centre | Oxfam, Novib | War Child | Clingendael Institute | Humanitas Global | Royal Dutch Shell | Oliver Wyman | Humanity in Action Bosnia and Herzegovina | Global Witness | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Alumni on LinkedIn

    • Liatifa Ibragimova

      Geographical Coordinator at European Commission (INTPA)

      Conflict Studies and Human Rights: 2014-2015

    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:

    Read more
    • 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

      Master classes

      We offer a series of Master classes where experts and practitioners in the field talk about their personal career trajectories, their views on employability, and share suggestions for career planning.

      Network building

      Our alumni play an important role in preparing you for the job market. In December we have an annual ‘Career Carrousel’ where 12 alumni ‘speed date’ with small groups of students. The very active Utrecht Conflict Studies Alumni Association (UCSAA) Facebook group, the Centre for Conflict Studies Alumni (CCSA) LinkedIn group and Study Association CS Ubunti offer current students the opportunity to build networks and take advice and inspiration from alumni who have built their careers since 2005.

      Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges

      The Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and experimentation between Utrecht University researchers, its students, and societal stakeholders from across the globe. Our aim is to critically understand and confront in transformative ways those global challenges that intersect human rights, conflict & security, sustainability, and equity. The Education programme of the Centre organises events, like lectures, masterclasses, simulations and a summerschool, all of which aim to bring students working on international issues together. Please have a look at the agenda for the latest events or join us at Facebook. 

      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.