Is the MA Human Rights Studies a law degree?

It covers international human rights law in working depth but is not a qualifying law degree. Students wanting to practise human rights law in the UK need separate legal qualifications (LLB, GDL, BPTC/SQE) before professional admission.

Does the MA Human Rights Studies involve field deployment?

Not as part of the MA itself. Field deployment requires significant additional training and operational experience. The MA prepares you analytically and methodologically for senior roles that may involve deployment after additional sector training.

Can I take the MA Human Rights Studies part-time?

Yes — over 24 months. Online and distance routes support working professionals with evening tutorials and weekend masterclasses. The dissertation can be built around a research question your organisation is already engaged with, with appropriate ethical review.

What kinds of dissertations do MA Human Rights Studies students produce?

Past dissertations have covered the implementation of UN treaty body recommendations in a specific country, the role of strategic litigation in advancing women's rights, and digital security challenges for human rights defenders in restrictive contexts. Topics are your choice, supervised from proposal stage.

Is the MA Human Rights Studies recognised by international rights organisations?

Yes — it is a UK master's degree from a London-based specialist provider, taught with input from working senior researchers and advocates. Recognition by individual organisations depends on combined credentials and relevant experience, both of which the MA is structured to develop.

MA Human Rights Studies in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Human Rights Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for working advocates, researchers and policy professionals deepening their international human rights expertise. The course covers international human rights law, applied research methods for rights-focused inquiry and the practical challenges of human rights work — investigations, advocacy, documentation, accountability and protection.

You graduate with the legal, methodological and applied depth to lead rights-based research or advocacy programmes, and a substantial dissertation on a question of practical and scholarly significance.

Key Features

International human rights law at advanced level — UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR, regional instruments, ICJ and ICC.
Applied research-methods strand — investigation, documentation, interviewing in rights contexts.
Advocacy and accountability module — campaigning, UN mechanisms, strategic litigation basics.
Protection and security module — defender safety, digital security, source protection.
Industry-led masterclasses from senior human rights researchers, lawyers and advocates.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation on a human rights topic, supervised by an active researcher or practitioner.

What You Will Learn

The MA Human Rights Studies is structured around the analytical, legal and applied literacy senior human rights professionals need — fluency with the international framework, methodological rigour in investigation and documentation, and the practical knowledge to operate safely and effectively.

International human rights law — UN system, regional systems, accountability mechanisms.
Specialist rights areas — civil and political, economic and social, women's rights, refugee and migrant rights.
Investigation and documentation — fact-finding methodology, evidence standards, working with witnesses.
UN advocacy — UPR, treaty bodies, special procedures, the Human Rights Council.
Strategic litigation — selection, partnership, jurisdiction, post-judgment work.
Defender protection — security risk management, digital security, source protection in rights contexts.
Sensitive interviewing — trauma-informed practice, informed consent, contributor wellbeing.
Research methods — qualitative interview, archival research, expert testimony, comparative analysis.

Who This MA Is For

Working human rights researchers, advocates and lawyers seeking advanced specialism.
NGO programme staff at international rights organisations preparing for senior roles.
Journalists specialising in human rights reporting.
Civil servants and diplomats working on human rights policy.

Career Pathways

The MA Human Rights Studies positions graduates for senior roles across UK and international human rights organisations, intergovernmental bodies and rights-focused journalism and policy work. Typical destinations include:

Senior Human Rights Researcher (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Crisis Group)
Peacebuilding Programme Officer (UN agencies, international NGOs)
International Development Adviser (DFID-tradition organisations, foundations)
Policy Advocate (national or international rights NGO)
Humanitarian Programme Manager (international NGO, UN agency)
Strategic Litigation Officer (rights-focused legal organisations)

The MA also opens doctoral routes in human rights scholarship and senior in-house roles at major international rights organisations.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.