QatarDebate Academic Programs
Master of Arts in Argumentation and Conflict Studies
This program emerges from a strategic partnership between QatarDebate and Ibn Haldun University in Turkey, providing students with a rich educational environment where academic rigor meets practical expertise in debate pedagogy and applied argumentation analysis.
5
Lessons
4
Semesters
All
Skill Level
2 Years
Duration
English
Language
MA Program in Argumentation & Conflict Studies
This program is designed to develop a complex approach towards understanding argumentation theory and conflict studies within the context of the MENA region. By combining strong theoretical foundations from both the contemporary and Islamic visions and methods, this program gives more depth to the study of conflict and peace-making. It equips students with advanced skills in analyzing arguments, understanding and mapping conflicts, and developing professional, structured approaches to conflict resolution and dialogue, under the guidance of highly qualified and internationally experienced faculty members.
The program is offered through a unique partnership between Ibn Haldun University and the Qatar Debate Center, bringing together academic excellence and global practice. This collaboration creates a dynamic learning environment in which students study argumentation and conflict analysis as academic disciplines while actively applying these skills in real-world and international contexts.
Ibn Haldun University is recognized as one of the leading universities in Türkiye, particularly known for its strong international orientation and its diverse student body drawn from across the globe. This program is offered in the Institute of Alliance of Civilizations (MEDIT), in the Sulaymaniah Campus, which offers graduate students rich academic opportunities within a multicultural, research-driven environment, making it a key destination for international students seeking high-quality postgraduate education.
Qatar Debate Center, founded by Qatar Foundation, is the major debate organization in the region with a renowned international impact, with participants and partners from more than 120 countries. Over the years, it has served as a global hub for practitioners, educators, academics, and researchers, organizing major international debate championships on 5 continents, academic conferences and programs, and youth forums. It has become a recognized platform where youth, scholars, and professionals meet to exchange knowledge, develop research, and advance the fields of debate and dialogue.
Through this strategic partnership, the program is carefully designed to enable students to learn from leading academics and practitioners, while also gaining hands-on experience through participation in international conferences, forums, and research-oriented activities, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience that bridges theory and practice.
Academic Background
Arising out of a years-long collaboration between the ArguMunazara Research Center and QatarDebate, the Master of Arts in Argumentation and Conflict Studies offers a window onto emerging non-Western approaches to dialogue in all its forms, from debate to negotiation, inquiry to mediation. Located at the Alliance of Civilizations Institute at Ibn Haldun University, ArguMunazara was initiated through a series of national, bi-national, and international projects in which the post-classical discipline of munazara took center stage. The goal of the research center, as clarified in its flagship Adab project, is first to excavate this richness, bring it into the present, and contribute to the respective modern fields. It is also where ArguMunazara’s focus on tradition met QatarDebate’s excellence in institutionalizing modern debate. This enabled the ArguMunazara Research Center to develop a new competitive debate model rooted in the munazara tradition. The collaboration continued through the First and Second International Conference on Debate and Dialogue. Through this partnership, the two institutions produced scientific outputs that showcase the potential of jadal and munazara to be adapted as contemporary theory and practice.
QatarDebate have further expanded their endeavors through the QatarDebate Research Fellowship programme, which aims to enable researchers worldwide to contribute to scientific research, and to spark global youth dialogue through the Doha Forum Youth Edition.
Students of the program will benefit from years of experience and increasing opportunities by joining a multidisciplinary research program supported by both institutions.
Program Objectives
- Constructing, analyzing, and critiquing arguments within different philosophical and cultural frameworks.
- Examining conflict structures, paying attention to stakeholders, root causes, and early warning signs of escalation.
- Facilitating public dialogue and mediating disputes in complex socio-political environments.
- Focus on the normative, historical, and epistemic foundations of conflict in the Global South, particularly in the MENA region.
- Translate theoretical knowledge gained from intercultural argumentation and social philosophy into practical dialogue strategies, policy recommendations, and community-based conflict resolution interventions.
- Exploring how to draw on different traditions, particularly Islamic civilization, to develop regional solutions to regional problems.
Graduates will not only be competent analysts and mediators, but also thought leaders who can advance research, contribute to policy development, and contribute to the development of alternative, context-sensitive conflict transformation models.
Curriculum and Study Plan
Career Pathways
- International organizations, NGOs, and civil society institutions working in dialogue, peace-building, and conflict transformation.
- Academic and research institutions, including doctoral studies, research centers, and think tanks specializing in argumentation, conflict studies, or social philosophy.
- Education and training, including curriculum development, critical thinking and debate coaching, and capacity-building programs.
- Media, communication, and advocacy, where skills in argumentation, narrative analysis, and public reasoning are essential.
- Diplomacy and international relations, supporting negotiation, mediation, and multilateral engagement.
This combination of theoretical depth and applied training enables graduates to navigate complex professional landscapes while contributing meaningfully to dialogue, understanding, and constructive conflict engagement at local, regional, and global levels.
Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.25/4.00. Degrees in Social Sciences and Humanities are preferred; however, applicants from other academic backgrounds with relevant experience or interests may also be considered.
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English language proficiency, demonstrated by one of the following:
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 60 - Proficiency in Arabic, Turkish, or Kurdish is considered an advantage, given the regional and institutional context of the program.
- Proficiency in an additional language widely used in the MENA region will be considered an advantage.
- Relevant practical experience in debating, youth dialogue initiatives, or conflict management will be considered an advantage.
- Statement of Purpose (300 words per question)
- Completing and submitting the Admission Application before the announced deadline.
- Providing an academic writing sample (1,000 - 2,000 words) on a relevant topic.
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Two academic or professional references, including:
- Referee’s name
- Affiliated institution
- Contact information
- Nature of the relationship with the applicant
Selected students will be invited for an online interview. And up to 15 students will be admitted to the program.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Applications are evaluated holistically, taking into account academic preparation, research potential, and alignment with the program’s objectives.
Important Dates
The dates listed below outline the official application and registration schedule to the Master’s Program for the 2026–2027 Academic Year:
17 May 2026
Application Deadline
25-29 May 2026
Interviews Date
11 June 2026
Announcement of Admission Results
13 June 2026
Issuance of Official Acceptance Letters
8 Jul. – 17 Sep. 2026
Registration Period
Applicants are advised to carefully observe the above deadlines, as late submissions will not be considered.
Interview Selection Criteria
The candidate’s final score will be obtained through the following criteria:
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Level of Academic Qualifications GPA, language scores |
40% |
| Applicant’s Profile Statement of purpose, practical experience, extracurriculars, etc. |
30% |
| Academic Writing Sample or Project Report Sample | 20% |
| Relevance of Academic Qualifications Covered courses, research projects, and MENA languages proficiency |
10% |
Scholarships & Funding
Details for scholarships and funding for the MA in Argumentation and Conflict Studies, will be announced soon.
