MPhil in Race, Ethnicity and Conflict
The MPhil in Race, Ethnicity and Conflict offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding key issues related to race-critical theory, migration, ethnic conflict, and social justice. Established in 1997, this programme provides students with the knowledge and skills to critically examine the complexities of race and conflict across global contexts.
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Course Overview
This one-year postgraduate course examines the techniques used by states and international agencies to manage peoples and conflict, their social and cultural impact and the responses they elicit. It applies a wide variety of sociological theories to racialization, gender, migration, ethnic conflict and peace-making. Students are taught to complete an independent research project on these issues
Staff, students and alumni form a friendly, ethnically diverse intellectual community with links to the Centre for Post-Conflict Justice, the Long Room Hub, Trinity Research in Social Sciences, the Migration and Employment Research Centre, and the Conflict and Resistance Research Group all in Trinity College Dublin. Connects are also fostered with a host of national and international academic and civil society organisations involved in race critical theory, critical peace studies, anti-racism, migrant support, Traveller rights and nomadism.
What Makes the MPhil Unique?
Course Co-ordinator Dr David Landy explains what sets the MPhil in Race, Ethnicity and Conflict apart- from its interdisciplinary approach to its real-world impact.
Is it for me?
This programme is ideal for people who work or wish to work in research, policy development, human rights, NGOs, social justice, or further academic study. Graduates go on to work in sectors such as migration and Traveller rights, as well as barristers, playwrights, political activists, researchers, teachers, academics, Gardai, journalists and social workers. The MPhil also provides strong preparation for PhD-level research.
Course Structure
The course offers a combination of small-group seminars and individual research supervision, leading to a dissertation. Course content focuses on Ireland, Europe, the US, and the Middle East and covers topics such as theories of race ethnicity, and conflict as well as modules on statelessness and forced migration; identity; conflict zones; migration, labour and conflict; racism and resistance; and gender and race.
Visit the course structure page for further details.
Inside the MPhil
Hear from staff and students about the MPhil - what you’ll study, the skills you’ll develop, and how the programme prepares you for future opportunities.
Admission Requirements
- An honours degree (preferably upper second-class honours or equivalent, GPA of at least 3.2) in a relevant social science field, or a degree with a social science component.
- A GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent) for international applicants.
- Applicants with significant work experience in the areas of population movement or conflict may also be considered, and may be asked for an interview where appropriate.
- All applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not been educated through the medium of English, will need to provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis, and early application is recommended. The final deadline is 31 July of the intended year of entry. Visit the Graduate Studies website for more details.
Fees, Funding and Scholarships
Course fees and payment information can be found on the TCD Academic Registry website.
For further information on scholarships for the academic year 2025/26 please visit the Scholarships and Funding page.
Further Information
For more information on the MPhil programme, please contact Dr David Landy, MPhil Course Co-ordinator, Department of Sociology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Email: landyda@tcd.ie
