Also consider our directory of the best masters in human rights

Master of Arts in Human Rights, Central European University

This human rights masters programme targets an international cohort of students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. The aim of the programme is to train students in the theoretical and policy implications of defending human rights and to provide students with the skills for successful human rights protection and advocacy. The programme has an interdisciplinary approach, combining social science, policy-based approaches and legal science, exposing student to new fields of study and ways of thinking about human rights. Teaching is designed so as to engage students with the theoretical perspectives pertaining to human rights as well as to explore empirical analyses and practical applications of human rights interventions.

The programme combines course work with a written thesis and should be completed within ten months.

MSc Human Rights, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

The MSc in Human Rights at LSE is uniquely structured to provide students with a multidisciplinary engagement around key human rights issues and the foundational aspects of human rights study. The programme recognises the need to tackle the broader questions of policy, intervention and practice and not just focus on the theoretical aspects of the field. Students will obtain knowledge in the key legal, sociological, political and philosophical issues relevant to human rights and should be able to approach these issues with a level of rigorous analysis. The programme is run by the Centre for the Study of Human Rights at the university and thus encourages active participation from students in the various events hosted by the centre. A core course looking at ‘Approaches to Human Rights’ is combined with elective courses and a written dissertation to make up the one-year academic programme.

MSc in Human Rights and International Politics, University of Glasgow

This programme aims to address the question of how individual human rights fit into a system of international relations in which states’ rights have traditionally been paramount. Designed as an interdisciplinary degree, students will encounter both the legal and political perspectives and can choose where to focus their interests. Course themes focus on issues of security, international institutions, gender, political philosophy, theories of rights, ethics and normative theory. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a five-day field-trip to Geneva where they will visit the UN headquarters and other non-governmental human rights organisations. The programme is one-year, full-time and is comprised of four core courses and two electives, as well as a written dissertation.

MA in Human Rights Law, SOAS, University of London

The MA in Human Rights Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London provides students with an introduction to the general fields of law and how these legal structures operate in both Western and non-Western social and cultural settings. The programme is designed so as to engage students in issues around human rights law and its application and relevance to a broad range of areas and legal issues. The curriculum therefore explores Islamic and Chinese law, gender issues, labour law and how these all relate to an international legal context. The modules are led by experts in these fields who have experience working in international organisations and non-governmental organisations, as well as legal practitioners and governmental advisors. Students are expected to attend a two-week ‘Preliminary Law, Legal Reasoning and Legal Methods’ course to facilitate an inter-disciplinary intake of students in the study of law. The course is then structured according to elective modules and a written dissertation to be completed within the year.

Master of Human Rights, University of Sydney

This Master’s programme aims to provide students with an understanding of how human rights apply in various political, social, economic and environmental contexts. Students will be equipped with the critical skills and tools needed to effectively engage with the practical implementation of a human rights agenda and to create workable solutions to human rights issues. As an interdisciplinary programme a variety of fields are covered, including: sociology; social policy; political science and political economy; philosophy; history and human geography. The degree has a global outlook and explores the domestic Australian policy and legal perspective within an international framework. The degree can be completed within a one-year, full-time structure and consists of coursework combined with either an internship or a dissertation component.

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Distance learning has changed the way many of us professionals have approached learning – featuring the ease of access to world-class education (and the “democratization” thereof), coupled with the flexibility of learning, which is a necessity for many of us who are professionals in our chosen fields, regardless of what sphere we work in.

And this has inevitably opened doors for many of us who have always taken an interest in human rights, or for those of us who actually work in that field and want to broaden and enhance their learnings, or for those of us who want to shift into the field taking their previous experience into consideration already.

Nowhere is this more evident in the growing number of fully-online master’s degrees, of which we have compiled 6 great human rights degrees for your perusal.

Master’s in International Human Rights Law | Oxford University, Oxford, UK

The prestigious Oxford University offers a fully-online master’s program in international human rights law, wherein the prospective student is given the opportunity to freely study at his own pace over a period of two academic years, featuring two periods of fully-online distance learning, culminating in two summer programs held at one of its most historic and picturesque campuses – the New College in Oxford. Those working in the legal profession within the broader scope of human rights seeking to take their studies to a higher level should consider this two-year program, whose deadline for applications runs until November.

Master of Human Rights | Curtin University, Perth, Australia

Those seeking a master’s program with a general, multidisciplinary thrust should definitely consider the master’s program offered by Curtin University – one of Australia’s leaders in higher education. With a foundation that focuses on political theory, social sciences, philosophy, social work, and law, this program aims to enhance the prospective student’s critical thinking through the lens of human rights based on the aforementioned disciplines. As its thrust is multidisciplinary in nature, professionals of all stripes will find this program apt for practical use in whatever fields they work in – and rightfully so, since the program is meant to be taken at the student’s pace and availability.

LLM in International Human Rights Law | De Montfort University, Leicester, UK

Renowned for its body of research, De Montfort University also offers a Master of Laws program in International Human Rights Law made so partly due to the fact that it was specially formulated in partnership with Informa Professional Academy – one of the true leaders and innovators in online and distance-learning solutions – to bring a fully-online, yet fully-immersive distance learning experience at the utmost flexibility possible. Barristers and solicitors are the ideal candidates for this program, as well as human rights professionals involved in policymaking, government, and  legal professions.

Master’s in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies | University of London, London, UK

The University of London isn’t only remarkable for its impressive body of students, its history of fine research, and its cutting-edge and progressive distance learning programs – it’s also remarkable for offering the only fully-online master’s program in refugee law and forced migration that is currently available. It only serves as a testament to the immediacy and the relevance of the institution, as well as the global challenge of how to manage the humanity crises and the reasons for its existence in the first place. All learning is done through a Virtual Learning Environment featuring rigorous, relevant learning and supportive guidance throughout the course of the program. This program is apt for human rights professionals particulary those operating in the complex and challenging specialization of a global problem – that of massive migration.

MSc in Social Justice and Community Action | University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

One of the latest offerings in the storied halls of the University of Edinburgh is this master’s program in social justice and community action, which aims to impart the requisite knowledge, training, and fundamentals required for you to mobilize social change for the betterment of social justice. This program is the talisman of the University of Edinburgh’s Global Justice Academy, which is an global network dedicated to addressing issues of social justice all over the world. The full master’s program can be taken over 2-6 years of distance learning.

Master’s in Human Rights and Global Ethics | University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

The University of Leicester is well-regarded for its achievements such as the invention of the ubiquitous technology known as genetic fingerprinting, as well as the discovery of King Richard III’s remains, but is just as equally well-known for its distance learning programs – that including its program in human rights and global ethics, which is made fully accessible through the internet anywhere and at any time. This online degree features a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation to earn your master’s degree at one of the UK’s finest institutions.

More Human Rights Masters Programs

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1. How long should the MA be?

In most cases Human Rights Master Degrees build on a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have a duration of one or two years. Some people, especially those with a non-legal background, prefer a two years study because it gives them more time to familiarize with the legal aspects of human rights. Also note that more and more master programmes are adopting a flexible system, enabling students to choose between part- or full time studies, which stretches the study time to a 4 years maximum. You can search for MAs with a specific duration in our Study Browser.

2. Do I want an internship included?

Today many Human Rights degrees offer different levels of support in obtaining an internship. Often, internships are included in master programmes and are an integral part of the academic curriculum. The amount of support the MA is offering in finding and getting the right internship varies strongly. Some MAs have reserved internship positions for their best students in prestigious organizations while other help you with recommendation letters and personal connections.

3. What shall be the teaching language of the MA?

If you consider obtaining a Human Rights MA, you may have to decide whether you want to study in a different language than English. If your MA is not in English keep in mind that revising all the human rights terminologies in English at a later stage might be more difficult than the other way around.

4. How can I afford the tution fees?

There are scholarships for many human rights degrees in all areas of the world. However, if you prefer to have no tuition fees from the very beginning, head for the Scandinavian countries Sweden, Finland and Norway where several MAs are offered without tuition fee.

5. Where shall I conduct my studies?

This is one of the most important questions. Strongly keep in mind that the region of a MA might shape the way it teaches and what it teaches. Choosing a human rights MA in the UK might ensure a good academic level but might also make your experience more eurocentric, choosing a degree in Pretoria might bring you more relevant practical experience but in some places less resources might be available for writing your thesis.

6. What specialization shall I choose?

Degrees in human rights are generally already specialized enough to enter various career paths related to human rights. If you aren’t  sure yet if you would prefer to work for refugees, gender equality or on anti-corruption, that is no problem. However, make sure you understand some of the differences between human rights, humanitarian law and international development before you settle on a human rights study. You can study all these subjects independently and, while they all are interconnected to a certain degree, their focus is different.

7. What extras am I looking for?

This is an important point. Human Rights Master programmes nowadays rarely only offer you on campus studying. Some include field trips, moot courts, competitions, internships, fellowships etc. etc. Check out our advanced search for Human Rights Masters Programmes here. Some Master programmes offer unique field trips in post conflict zones like the Vienna Master of Human Rights or prepare you for a full year to participate in a prestigious and competitive moot court. These extras will significantly shape your experience.

If you have any questions about a specific MA programme feel free to ask on our facebook page.

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