This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Learn to negotiate better, whatever your work sector.

Welcome to this introduction to the University of Aberdeen’s 15‑week course, Negotiation Skills, which runs in January. Should you wish to continue to the full course, you can enjoy 10% off your registration using the code FutureLearn26.

Foundations of Alternative Dispute Resolution

Modern conflict management prioritises efficiency and control, placing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at the forefront of legal and business strategy. This course will examine the full spectrum of ADR, from informal dialogue to structured arbitration, contrasting these methods with traditional litigation.

By exploring the advantages of confidentiality, cost-effectiveness, and party autonomy, you will develop a framework for selecting the most appropriate resolution pathway.

Psychology and the Escalation of Conflict

Effective resolution requires an understanding of how disagreements transform into entrenched legal battles. You will investigate the transition from conflict to business and legal disputes through a staged model of escalation, and dissect the psychological triggers that impede settlement.

Communication Mastery and Negotiation Dynamics

Finally, you will explore the intersection of human behaviour and practical skill. Negotiators must possess high self-awareness and empathy to decode the deeply held beliefs of their counterparts.

You will refine essential communication techniques, including active listening, paraphrasing, and strategic questioning. This course explores the nuance of open, closed, and leading questions to gather intelligence and guide discussions.

Syllabus

Week 1
The Theoretical and Practical Observations of the Negotiation Skills - Fundamentals
- Lecture 1: The Theoretical and Practical Observations of the Negotiation Skills - Fundamentals
  This topic covers ADR and negotiation, emphasizing negotiation as a key method. It includes essential skills, contract negotiation, and the main phases of the process.
Week 2
The Dispute – Definition, Escalation and other Surrounding Circumstances
- The Dispute – Definition, Escalation and other Surrounding Circumstances
  Lecture on conflict escalation, psychological drivers, dispute types, and why negotiation needs behavioral insight beyond legal analysis.
Week 3
Communication, Psychology and Style of Negociation
- Communication, Psychology and Style of Negotiation
  Focus on negotiation psychology, communication, cognitive biases, and practical questioning skills.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Identify the primary differences between litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Discuss key negotiation terms including BATNA, anchoring, and party autonomy
Describe the stages of the conflict escalation model in business contexts
Explore common cognitive biases and psychological factors that impact settlements
Explore various questioning techniques used during information gathering
Identify the role of non-verbal cues and cultural factors in communication

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for legal professionals, business managers, and HR specialists seeking to master conflict management. It will also suit students in law or social sciences aiming to blend psychological insight with practical negotiation skills.

Who developed the course?

University of Aberdeen

University of Aberdeen is the 3rd oldest Scottish and 5th oldest UK University. With 14500 students from 120 countries, it is a world leader in medical research, energy, environment, law and business.

What's included?

University of Aberdeen are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn