Explore UNITAR’s free online course, Conflict Series: What Is Conflict? Learn about conflict sources, complexity and key actors in an approximately four-hour self-paced course.
Background & Course Description
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) offers Conflict Series: 1. What Is Conflict?, a free online course introducing participants to the fundamentals of conflict studies.
The course is designed to help learners understand the meaning of conflict, its causes, how it develops and the different actors involved. It forms the first part of a three-course series intended to provide foundational knowledge for further study in conflict analysis and resolution.
The course is self-paced and web-based, making it suitable for beginners, students, professionals and anyone interested in peace and conflict studies. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a digital badge.
Course Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UNITAR |
| Course title | Conflict Series: 1. What Is Conflict? |
| Course reference | PTP.2026.01 |
| Delivery | Online, self-paced |
| Estimated study time | Approximately 4 hours |
| Course classification | Peacekeeping |
| Language | English |
| Cost | Free |
| Registration | Open enrolment |
| Certificate or reward | Digital badge upon successful completion |
| Application deadline | No specific deadline stated |
| Official website | UNITAR |
Course Content and Learning Benefits
The course consists of six sections that introduce the essential concepts of conflict studies.
Participants will explore the meaning of conflict, examine its sources, understand its complexity and study how conflict evolves. The course also introduces the different actors involved in conflicts and includes a Kilmann conflict character type test.
By the end of the course, learners should be able to define conflict and describe its sources, complexity, role and pyramid of actors.
The course uses interactive text and visual materials, online reference resources and multiple-choice quizzes. These quizzes help participants assess their understanding and reinforce the material covered in each lesson.
Qualifications and Eligibility
The course is intended for anyone interested in conflict studies. No specific academic qualification or professional experience requirement is stated in the supplied course information.
It may be particularly useful for students, researchers, humanitarian professionals and individuals interested in peacebuilding, conflict analysis or international relations.
The course can also provide foundational knowledge for those considering more advanced studies in conflictology, including UNITAR’s Master’s degree in Conflict, Peace and Security.
Technical Requirements
UNITAR recommends using a desktop or laptop running Windows 10 or macOS 11 or later, with a stable internet connection and an up-to-date web browser.
Some course tools may not be fully supported on tablets and mobile devices.
Additional Information
The course is available online and is self-paced, meaning participants can study at their convenience. The estimated learning time is four hours.
Successful completion earns a digital badge. The supplied course information does not specify a separate application deadline or tuition fee, and the course is listed at $0.00.
How to enrol: Visit the official UNITAR website and search for “Conflict Series: 1. What Is Conflict? – PTP.2026.01” in the course catalogue. Confirm the enrolment instructions and create an account if required.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the UNITAR Conflict Studies course free?
Yes. The course is listed at $0.00 and is available through online enrolment.
2. How long does the course take?
The estimated study time is approximately four hours.
3. Can beginners enrol?
Yes. The course is designed for anyone interested in conflict studies, including people who are new to the subject.
4. What will participants learn?
Learners will study the meaning and sources of conflict, its complexity and evolution, and the actors involved in conflicts.
5. Do participants receive a certificate?
The supplied course information states that successful participants receive a digital badge. It does not explicitly confirm a separate certificate.
6. Is the course available online?
Yes. It is a self-paced, web-based course that can be accessed online.
7. Is there an application deadline?
No specific deadline is stated in the supplied information. The course is listed as an open-registration activity.
8. Who should take this course?
It is suitable for students, professionals, researchers and anyone interested in conflict analysis, peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
UNITAR’s free introductory course offers a convenient way to build foundational knowledge of conflict studies in approximately four hours. Its self-paced format and digital badge may be useful for learners exploring peacekeeping, humanitarian work or further academic study.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares educational opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with UNITAR. Participants should confirm course availability and enrolment details through the official UNITAR website.
SEO Keywords: UNITAR free online course, UNITAR conflict studies course, What Is Conflict course, free United Nations courses, free peacekeeping course, online conflict resolution course, conflict analysis training, UNITAR digital badge, self-paced online courses, free international relations courses, conflict studies for beginners, UNITAR PTP.2026.01
