Final degree
Master of Arts (M.A.) Human Rights
Language of instruction
English
Programme duration
The M.A. Human Rights consists of three semesters with a total of 90 ECTS credits. The taught parts of the programme usually take up the first two semesters, i.e. one academic year. The third semester is entirely devoted to the master thesis and, for some students, an internship. Students will be able to complete the programme in 18 months.
Beginning of the programme
Every October
Application deadline
The programme only starts in the winter term. The final deadline for applications is 30 May. Decisions will be taken in March and June. Please note that in some cases, processing visa applications may take several months. Therefore, we strongly advise applicants who require a student visa to apply by the end of February.
Important semester dates
Here you will find important semester dates (e.g. semester and lecture periods, holidays).
Fees
The tuition fees for the entire programme are currently 6,000 €. In addition, students are required by law to pay a fee for general student services (the ‘Studierendenwerk’), entitling them to, for example, subsidised meals and other services. For the academic year 2024/25, this fee was 72 € per semester. Further information on the services of the Studierendenwerk can be found on their website (only partly available in English).
Prerequisites
Admission to the Master’s programme in human rights requires a university degree based on at least 3.5 years of full-time studies (equivalent to 210 ECTS credits) and at least one year of professional experience in the area of human rights, or professional experience in another field in combination with practical experience in human rights work on a volunteer basis. If your university degree is based on less than 3.5 years of studies, you may be accepted based on a special procedure determining additional qualifications. Additionally, proof of C1-level English language skills is also required.
Further information on how to apply can be found here.
Structure of the programme
In the first semester, all students will enrol in compulsory modules covering political, philosophical and legal foundations of human rights respectively. In the second semester, students will participate in a mandatory, interdisciplinary module on non-discrimination and elect four out of a variety of specialised modules that may include topics such as Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Business and Human Rights; Freedom of Religion and Belief; Gender and Human Rights; Social Movements and Human Rights; International Criminal Law; Transitional Justice; Human Rights of Refugees; and Rights of Persons with Disabilities. From the summer semester of 2024 onwards, the second semester will also include a module focusing on various soft skills for human rights work. In the third semester, students will be able to choose between two options from 2024 onwards: Either write one in-depth scientific thesis or combine a shorter thesis with a mandatory internship.
Skills
Graduates of the programme will be equipped with theoretical and practical skills to pursue professional activities in different human rights contexts, such as in public administration, international and non-governmental organisations, academia and education, the media, interest groups and associations, as well as in specialised law firms and corporations.
Degree programme and examination regulations (Studien- und Prüfungsordnung)
The programme regulations ara available from this web page. They are available in German and English, but only the German version is legally binding. Please note that the regulations are updated from time to time.
Location
Classes will be held in Nuremberg and in Erlangen. The majority of classes and the programme offices are on the premises of the Centre for Human Rights Erlangen-Nürnberg at Andreij-Sacharow-Platz 1, 90403 Nuremberg.