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5 European Master Programs in Migration

LL.M. Human Rights and Migration

Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, offers a Master’s program in Human Rights and Migration, specializing in European law. This 1-year, full-time, on-campus degree aims to train students in European policy and legislation regarding immigration and human rights issues in historical and present-day Europe. To complete the degree, students must take 6 courses, including a Master’s thesis.

Tuition is € 2,060/year for EU/EEA students and € 9,879/year for international students. Scholarships are available for both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students, many with requirements for home country and academic excellence. Applicants must have Bachelor or Master’s degree or equivalent in law to qualify for the program. Graduates of this program are equipped to be lawyers in various firms, lobbying organizations, and other legal positions. With expertise in immigration and human rights, they will be prepared for careers with nonprofits, governmental organizations, international and intergovernmental organizations, as well as court systems and various charities.

LL.M. Immigration Law

Queen Mary University of London offers an advanced law degree in Immigration Law. This program can be attended full-time (1 year) or part-time and aims to give students a multidisciplinary perspective on various levels of immigration law, including local, national, European, and international law and policy. In addition to multiple courses, students must also complete a 45-credit thesis course. Students also have the chance to gain valuable internships, practical experience, and volunteer opportunities with relevant firms, organizations, and legal professionals.

Full-time tuition costs £14,250/year for UK/EU students and £20,700/year for international students. The university offers multiple competitive scholarships, including a specific Law scholarship for both home and international students. Admission requirements include a law degree or a degree with a substantial amount of law course credits. Applicants without a law degree may qualify by taking UK standardized law tests or by having substantial legal professional experience. This program will provide graduates with the opportunities to gain careers with private law firms, international and intergovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies relating to immigration and refugee law.

M.Res. Immigration Law

Queen Mary University of London offers a Master’s in Research program in Immigration Law. This 1-year, full-time, on-campus degree is a pre-doctoral program that seeks to equip students with skills and theory to conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research relating to immigration law and policy. Students take a variety of research methods and law subject classes and must complete a thesis to graduate.

Tuition costs are £8,700/year for UK/EU students and £15,750/year for international students. Queen Mary offers a variety of scholarships for students, including a Law scholarship. Applicants must have a law degree and submit two letters of reference as well as a research proposal. Graduates of this program are prepared to continue their academic study with a doctoral program, as well as pursue careers in law-related opportunities with government agencies, nonprofits, private companies, and international organizations.

LL.M. International Migration and Refugee Law

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers an advanced law degree in International Migration and Refugee Law. This 1-year, full-time, on-campus program focuses on a variety of issues relating to international migration and refugees from the perspectives of both international and European law. Students will complete 8 courses, including several electives that can fit to each student’s interests and a final thesis. Students can also choose to complete an internship as part of their studies and have the opportunity to participate in cases alongside real lawyers through the Migration Law Clinic.

Tuition costs for EU/EEA is €2060 and €14,600 for international students. A variety of fellowships and scholarships are available to students for partial or full tuition coverage, along with some scholarships offered to students from specific countries of origin. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in law to qualify for the program or have completed at least 1 year’s worth of classes in law-related subjects. Other students may be admitted on a case-by-case basis, based on academic background and experience. Graduates of this program typically work for international and national organizations dealing with issues of migration, including UN organizations. Students may also pursue careers in private law firms and nonprofits.

M.A. Migration, Society, and Policy

Middlesex University’s School of Law in London, UK, offers a Master’s program in Migration, Society, and Policy. This on-campus program can be studied full-time or part-time and is designed to give students an interdisciplinary perspective on issues of migration, including law, politics, sociology. As part of the School of Law, students in this degree program learn from international experts on migration, asylum, and other related issues. To graduate, students must complete 6 course modules, as well as a thesis or World Integrated Learning experience.

Full-time tuition costs are £7,800/year for UK/EU students and £13,500/year for international students. Scholarships and loans are available to all students to cover full or partial tuition costs. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field of study. Graduates of this degree are prepared to pursue PhDs or careers in migration policy or studies with nonprofits, private sector firms, research institutes, government agencies, academic institutions, and international organizations.

Also consider: Masters in Human Rights

About the author

Allison Reefer

Allison Reefer is a young professional living in Pittsburgh, PA. She works with a refugee resettlement agency to help refugees and immigrants in the city, and she volunteers with a local shelter for human trafficking victims. She obtained her Master in International Development from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in Writing from Geneva College, focusing most of her academic work on human trafficking and migration in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In her free time, she loves to write, read, sing and play bass guitar, practice Russian, and explore her city.

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