The European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA) is organised by the Global Campus of Human Rights, a worldwide network of universities seeking to advance human rights and democracy education. It was created with the support of the European Union and 43 participating universities from all EU member states, plus the UK and Switzerland. The programme is a one-year course that provides a practice and policy-oriented approach to learning that combines legal, political, historical, anthropological, and philosophical perspectives of Human Rights and Democratisation with skill building activities and a field trip exercise. Students are taught by leading academics representing EMA participating universities, experts and representatives of international organisations and NGOs while studying in a multicultural environment. The curriculum prepares participants for working in national, international, governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as research institutions dealing with human rights and democratisation.

Entry Requirements and Selection criteria

• University degree of a high standard in a field relevant to human rights, including disciplines in Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, and must have a minimum of 180 ECTS (Bachelor/General Degree).
• Certified knowledge of English at least at level B2. Accepted certificates are IELTS (min. score 6), TOEFL (min. 80 for the IBT) and Cambridge exams (min. score 160-179), obtained no more than 3 years before the start of the programme.
• Academic track record (submission of a current transcript of exams)
• Applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria: academic ability and background, relevant additional academic work, courses or publications, relevant practical experience and motivation

Maximum number of accepted students: 90

Fees and Scholarships
€ 5,650 euros (plus application processing fee of €50)
A small number of scholarships is available for qualified candidates. Scholarships include a tuition waiver and a modest stipend.

Programme Structure
– 1st Semester: September to December | Global Campus of Human Rights HQ

Students are taught by leading academics representing the 43 EMA participating universities, representatives of international organisations (including the European Union, the United Nations and the Council of Europe), NGO experts and activists and human rights defenders. The semester is structured into five core thematic sections (TS) and elective specialised modules (Advanced Cluster Classes and Rolling Seminars) devised for smaller groups and skill building activities

TS1: Human Rights Institutions, Mechanisms and Standards
TS2: Globalisation, Development and Human Rights
TS3: Human Rights in Context: Historical, Philosophical, Anthropological and Religious Perspectives
TS4: Building and Protecting Democracy
TS5: Human Rights, Peace and Security
Students also participate in simulation exercises such as ECHR Moot Court, ESCR Moot Committee, ICC Moot Court and a mediation simulation.

– Field trip in Kosovo: mid-January

Provides insights into the practical tasks, difficulties, and expectations human rights officers face in the field. It comprises visits to international organisations as well as local and regional NGOs working on human rights issues, such as property claims, torture related questions, legal advice, women’s rights, democratic elections, free media and children’s rights.

– 2nd Semester: February to June | Member Universities across Europe

This semester is conceived as a European exchange: students relocate to one of the 43 EMA participating universities to follow courses in an area of specialisation of their choice and to undertake personal supervised research finalised in the writing of the master’s thesis.

Application deadline 31 Mar 2025, 23:59:59 Central European Time [Self-funded applicants only]

Learn more.