European Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation

The European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA) is a one-year course aimed at educating up to 100 professionals annually in the field of human rights and democratisation. It provides the foundation for a career in national, international, governmental, inter-governmental and nongovernmental organisations, as well as academic institutions dealing with human rights and democratisation.
 

The Master’s Programme offers an action- and policy-oriented approach to learning that combines legal, political, historical, anthropological, and philosophical perspectives with skill-building activities and a field trip exercise.
 

EMA is both a residential and an exchange programme. The first semester is organised at Global Campus Headquarters in Venice, while the second semester takes place in one of the 41 participating universities within the member states of the European Union.

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Course Content

The first semester curriculum consists of:
 

• First stream courses organised in five Thematic Sections: Human Rights Institutions, Mechanisms and Standards; Globalisation, Development and Human Rights; Human Rights in Context: Historical, Philosophical, Anthropological and Religious Perspectives; Building and Protecting Democracy; Human Rights, Peace and Security.
• Second stream courses tailored to students’ academic background and interests: advanced cluster classes; rolling seminars; academic skills classes; workshops; skill building activities.
• A field trip to Kosovo aiming to provide insights into the practical tasks, difficulties, and expectations human rights officers face in the field, and to get a better understanding of the situation in a post-conflict country.

During the second semester students relocate to one of the 41 participating universities to follow courses in an area of specialisation of their own choice and to undertake personal supervised research finalised in the writing of their master‘s thesis.

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Career

The majority of EMA graduates work with human rights organisations (governmental and non-governmental, international and national) both at their headquarters and in field missions (e.g. electoral observation, human rights monitoring, international cooperation projects). A number of graduates are also involved in human rights-related activities with their home Ministries of Foreign Affairs or are seconded by them to work for international institutions. Some graduates pursue further academic studies and research and a few are now the representatives of some EMA participating universities.
 

EMAlumni are also regularly invited to teach on the EMA Programme or act as resource persons for its numerous activities, such as the EMA Career Day, jointly organised with the EMAlumni Association, which provides students with tips, advice and information on career development and job market, including also a CV and cover letter clinic.

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Admission

EMA is open to EU and non-EU citizens.
The criteria used during the selection process are:
 

• academic ability and background
• professional/volunteer experience
• language competence
• motivation.

Applicants are required to hold a 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 fluency in English is an admission requirement to the programme.

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European Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation - Impressions of your Masters study

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Overview of Masters programmes - Global Campus of Human Rights

European Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation

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Why people choose EMA

Below are 10 reasons why people choose EMA:
 

• Multidisciplinarity as opposed to single focus in traditional university departments.
• Range of high level academics, experts, officials from a variety of institutions and organisations, most of whom engage on a daily basis in human rights practice and thus are always abreast of the latest developments and debates.
• Combination of theory and practice to be operational as soon as the course is completed.
• Opportunity to see how the theory studied in the classroom ‘comes alive’ during a field trip to a post-conflict country.
• European mobility: first Venice, historically at the centre of a multicultural approach to international relations, and then one of the many prestigious universities and human rights centres participating in the programme.
• Possibility to undertake internships and fellowships in leading human rights organisations.
• Ties with EU institutions and links with governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations for a regional and at the same time global experience.
• Extensive worldwide EMAlumni Association for contacts, job opportunities, career development, projects, research.
• Excellent value for money.
• A unique social and professional experience during which all those involved (students, faculty and resident staff) develop long-term bonds and networks with each other.

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