MA Humanitarianism and Conflict Response

University of Manchester

This programme is for those who want to better understand humanitarian crises and conflict situations, from prevention to recovery. Whether you are beginning your career or have professional experience, this programme will deepen your expertise and expand your impact. From hybrid wars to forced displacement, from pandemics to famines, the world faces an escalating landscape of complex and entangled crises. Organisations across civil society, national and local authorities, and the private sector, urgently need professionals who can analyse these challenges, design effective responses, and build lasting resilience. Throughout the programme, you will explore fundamental questions that shape the field: How does the Triple Nexus – humanitarianism, development, and peace – operate How do humanitarian crises and conflicts unfold and what is their longer history? How do structural inequalities and vulnerabilities (around race, gender, class, etc.) shape how affected communities are affected by and respond to crises? How is a wide range of actors, from grassroots to international organisations, involved in prevention, response, and recovery? How can we improve decision-making and communication during crises? How can affected communities be meaningfully and ethically included in programming? What alternatives and innovations are possible for humanitarian and conflict response? The curriculum is designed around what the UN calls the 'triple nexus' - humanitarian response, development and peace – but also integrates disaster management and global health. It aims to provide the skills that are necessary to thrive in these fast-changing fields. You will engage with the frameworks that guide national and international policies, such as the Grand Bargain: Agenda for Humanity or the UN Sustainable Development Goals, while developing the analytical skills to critique and improve upon them.