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Study human rights abroad

Find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations then apply with reduced application fees, a free assessment and access to a dedicated advisor.

Find your perfect human rights programs abroad

Find human rights programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Find other programs in human rights

Human Rights degrees abroad

Human rights is a crucial field of study that examines how the basic rights and freedoms of people vary around the world. It’s a far-reaching subject that encompasses several different disciplines, including law, ethics, philosophy, politics, and history.

Programs are designed to provide students with a theoretical, legal, and practical understanding of human rights. You’ll trace social injustices throughout history and learn about key human rights movements, like the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, and civil rights activism. You’ll also confront the challenges that still plague societies today and offer solutions.

Studying abroad is a vital educational experience for anyone hoping to begin a career in human rights. Textbooks are no substitute for seeing the work of international organizations in person, observing how international laws are applied across the globe, and encountering new human struggles.

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  3. We assess within 48hrs

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Human Rights program structure

It’s possible to study human rights as a bachelor’s degree over three or four years, but the number of universities offering these undergraduate courses is low.

It’s much more common to study human rights as a master’s degree over one or two years. These programs can be offered as either an MA, MSc, or Master of Laws (LLM). To enroll in an MA or MSc course, you’ll need to have an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, like sociology, politics, philosophy, or ethics. Those hoping to pursue an LLM must have a bachelor’s degree in law.

If you’re eager to conduct your own cutting-edge research, you might consider pursuing a doctoral degree. PhDs are the highest formal qualifications available and normally take between four and six years to complete.

Timetabled teaching on human rights courses usually consists of lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. You’ll probably be assessed through a combination of exams, essays, presentations and research projects.

The content of your program will likely be influenced by the cultural context of your university and study location. Nevertheless, most courses will introduce students to these fundamentals:

  • Understanding human rights
  • Securing human rights
  • Contemporary issues in human rights
  • International law and relations
  • Human rights violations
  • Slavery and emancipation
  • Human rights and terrorism
  • Social justice

Human Rights study abroad programs

Human rights undergraduate programs

Bachelor's in human rights

  • false

    Equity, Diversity, and Human Rights - BA/BA (Hons) Laurentian University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    20,093 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 27,258 CAD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Equity, Diversity, and Human Rights
  • false

    Conflict Studies and Human Rights - BSocSc University of Ottawa, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    31,944 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 43,334 CAD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Honours BSocSc Conflict Studies and Human Rights
  • false

    Human Rights - BA Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    23,774 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 32,251 CAD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Human Rights
  • false

    Human Rights & Equity Studies - BA York University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    25,909 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 35,148 CAD

    Start date
    May, September
    Show program overview about Human Rights & Equity Studies
  • false

    Human Rights and Social Justice - BA Carleton University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    23,438 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 31,796 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Human Rights and Social Justice

Human rights graduate programs

Master's in human rights

  • false

    Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights: Global Governance and International Organizations - MA American University, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    34,596 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 34,596 USD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights: Global Governance and International Organizations
  • false

    European Union Studies and Human Rights - MIB UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Spain

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    6,797 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 6,300 EUR

    Start date
    November
    Show program overview about European Union Studies and Human Rights
  • false

    Law: Human Rights Law and Transitional Justice - LLM Ulster University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    15 months
    Annual tuition fee
    19,970 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,840 GBP

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Human Rights Law and Transitional Justice, LLM
  • false

    Human Rights - MA Keele University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    22,315 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 17,700 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Human Rights
  • false

    Human Rights - MHuRi Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    31,561 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 51,115 NZD

    Start date
    July
    Show program overview about Human Rights

Doctorate in human rights

  • false

    Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    16,185 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,000 EUR

    Start date
    February, June, September
    Show program overview about Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance (PhD, 3 Years or 6 Semesters) – Joint Degree with the University of Padova, the University of Zagreb, the University of Western Sydney, and Panteion University, Athens

Diploma in human rights

  • false

    Human Rights - PGDip Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    21,041 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 34,077 NZD

    Start date
    July
    Show program overview about Human Rights

Future human rights careers

Your skills in empathy, conflict resolution, and collaboration will equip you for several rewarding and fulfilling careers in the field of human rights.

You can apply your expertise across a range of public and private sectors, including international organizations, governments, private businesses, and charities.

Here are just some of the career opportunities open to human rights graduates:

  • Human rights lawyer
  • Policy advisor
  • Policy analyst
  • CEO of a relief organization
  • Corporate social responsibility specialist
  • Fundraiser
  • Human rights researcher
  • Journalist

Participating in some work experience with charities, NGOs, government departments, or legal firms will help demonstrate your passion and commitment to potential employers. Talk to your university’s career service about the benefits of placements and internships to your employability.