New part-time programme for September 2025. A unique, innovative interdisciplinary programme focusing on non-adversarial dispute resolution processes, providing the understanding, academic knowledge, and practical skills to resolve disputes between parties in a non-adversarial manner.
| Course Type: Postgraduate | Accredited by: QQI |
| Delivery: In-class & Blended Learning | Fees: September 2025 enrolment*: €9,500 tuition fee over 4 semesters, *NOTE: Does not support student visa application. |
| Duration: Part-time over 4 semesters, 3 taught semesters plus final semester dissertation. | Location: Independent College, Foley Street, Dublin 1. |
| NFQ: Level 9 | Next Intake: Enrolling now for September 2025 intake. |
What is this Course?
The MA in Dispute Resolution focuses on a wide range of non-adversarial dispute resolution processes, including arbitration, mediation, restorative practice, conflict and negotiation across commercial and workplace sectors. The curriculum is interdisciplinary, combining concepts from law, business management, international relations, policy studies, sociology and organisational development. The mixture of experience-based learning through role plays and formal lectures gives students a hands-on understanding of this important, fast-growing sector. Our teaching team consists of mediators, lawyers, authors and arbitrators.
This part-time MA in Dispute Resolution is suited for graduates of law, business or related disciplines and candidates who have relevant work experience and wish to develop their knowledge of this increasingly important field. It is designed for individuals who wish to enhance current capabilities and skills in Management, HR, Negotiation skills and Public Affairs.
Delivered over 4 semesters, 3 semesters taught with a final semester dissertation from 15,000 to 20,000 words. 12 weeks per semester, face-to-face or live online, with 4 Saturday workshops per semester.
Where in-person exams are required, they will take place on a Saturday, with dates to be confirmed by the Learner Support Team.
CAREER OPTIONS
Graduates will have enhanced career opportunities across areas of employment, including:
• Professional Mediation, Arbitration & Negotiation
• Public Sector Managerial level positions / NGO
• Private sector Management, HR, Change Management, Workplace Dispute Resolution
• Membership of Professional Bodies
• Higher-level Education
Accreditation
This is a two-year part-time Master’s programme and is QQI-accredited. Students will graduate with an internationally recognised Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution.
NFQ Level 9 accredited. Graduates of the programme are eligible to apply to the Irish Professional Mediators’ Organisation (IPMO) for membership as newly qualified mediators.
| Semester 1 | Understanding Conflict, Analysis & Resolution |
|---|---|
| Principles of Mediation Theory | |
| Principles of Mediation Practice | |
| Theory & Practice of Arbitration | |
| Semester 2 | Principles of Negotiation Theory |
| Advanced Mediation Theory | |
| Advanced Mediation Practice | |
| Applied Negotiation Practice | |
| Semester 3 | Restorative Practice |
| Research Methods | |
| Theory & Practice of Workplace Dispute Resolution | |
| Commercial Dispute Resolution | |
| Semester 4 | Dissertation |
What do you need?
Candidates should have an upper second-class honours degree at Level 8 (or equivalent). Students with a lower second-class honours degree will be considered and should have a minimum of two years of professional experience. Such professional experience will be assessed based on the College’s Regulations on Accredited Experiential Learning, which may be defined as learning achieved through experience gained by an individual outside formalised learning arrangements where the learning outcomes are open to assessment by the College.
Candidates who do not hold an honours degree (or equivalent) may be accepted under the College’s Academic Regulations based on Accredited Experiential Learning, which may be defined as learning achieved through experience gained by an individual outside formalised learning arrangements where the learning outcomes are open to assessment by the College.
English language level equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or Common European Framework C1 equivalent score for students where English is not the applicant’s mother tongue
Cambridge (FCE, CAE, CPE) 184
TOEFL (IBT) 87
TOEFL (CBT) 230
TOEFL (PBT) 570
Duolingo (Before 31st Dec 2022) 110
Duolingo (From 1st Jan 2023) 120
Pearson Test of English (PTE) 58.5
How to Apply?
Commence the application process by clicking the Application button on the course page.
Members of our Admissions team are available to discuss any queries and all aspects of the programme and can be contacted on email: admissions@independentcollege.ie and/or WhatsApp 089 2037699
Aims & Objectives
The overall aims of the part-time MA in Dispute Resolution are as follows:
• To provide learners with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental theories, concepts and methodologies of dispute analysis and resolution.
• To provide and develop a professional competency in the techniques necessary to define and assess disputes
• To provide and develop the skills necessary to employ a methodical and critical approach to challenges in the management and resolution of disputes.
• To equip learners with the ability to communicate strategies and solutions in conflict contexts.
• To provide learners with the knowledge and foundation to pursue further postgraduate study.
• To facilitate the development by the learner of applied skills that are directly complementary and relevant to the workplace.
• To enable the learner to identify, develop, and apply analytical, creative problem solving and research skills.
• To provide learners with the necessary knowledge and foundation to carry out ethical research.
• To produce learners who can mediate a dispute as a newly qualified mediator.