Study Details: MA 1 year full-time,
2 years part-time
Human rights defenders strive for a world in which human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.
In our interdisciplinary MA, you will learn to bridge the gap between theory and practice by combining hands-on experience with academic enquiry. Discover the theoretical frameworks and practical skills which make advances in human rights possible.
You do not need a Law or Human Rights undergraduate degree to apply for this MA. We consider applicants for entry to this course with an undergraduate degree in the social sciences, arts and humanities, and vocational courses such as social work.
These disciplines are relevant to the wide range of careers available in human rights, including research and documentation, advocacy, campaigning monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, and movement building and organisation strengthening.
You’ll study different aspects of human rights practice: the strategies employed and the debates, institutions and political structures that human rights defenders seek to influence. You'll learn directly from human rights defenders with first-hand experience in governmental, judicial, and grassroots roles.
You'll also develop a range of fieldwork, advocacy and legal skills and apply these on a placement in the UK, Colombia or South Africa.
2:2 or equivalent.
For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more
Our graduates go on to work with NGOs, humanitarian and development organisations, policy think-tanks, national governments and UN agencies. We provide advice, networking opportunities, hands-on experience, and personalised reference letters to support you as you establish your career.
Modules
Core modules
The Practice of Fieldwork
Project Placement
Applying Human Rights
Option modules
You will study three option modules from our specialist areas, listed below. You can choose modules from multiple areas. Examples of modules can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Human rights
Transitional Justice and Human Rights
International Human Rights Laboratory
Backlash and Co-optation: Feminism, Anti-Racism and Human Rights Politics
Human Rights Defence Clinic
Peace and conflict
Transitional Justice and Human Rights
International Criminal Justice
Politics of Peacebuilding
The Causes and Conduct of Conflict
Mending the Past: History and the Politics of Guilt and Reparation
De/colonising Memory: Public Histories of Empire, Colonialism and Postcolonialism
Women, Citizenship and Conflict
Global development and political economy
Politics of the Poor
Theories and Policies of Development Governance
The Politics of Global Trade
Social Justice and Political Economy (suitable for those with a philosophy background)
Asylum and migration
Politics of Migration
Asylum: Theory, Law and Practice of the International Protection of Refugees
Feminism and gender
Gendering Politics: An Intersectional Approach
Women, Citizenship and Conflict
Auteures: Gender, Power, and Authorship in Film and Literature
Feminism and Sexuality
Feminist Research Methodologies
Philosophy (suitable for those with a philosophy background)
Freedom, Right, and Revolution: Post-Kantian Moral, Legal, and Political Philosophy
Social Justice and Political Economy
Law and socio-legal studies
Law and Society
Law and Social Control
Current Issues in Counterterrorism and Media Law
Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law
Public International Law
Environment and climate
Sustainability Clinic (Environment and Geography)
Governing for the Environment
Other option modules
Global Governance
Ethics and World Politics
Principles of Policy Advice
New Security Challenges
Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
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