Prospective Students: Postgraduate
MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights
The MA, established in 1991, is an interdisciplinary course combining taught
Modules and a dissertation which examines the history, theoretical development
and implementation of human rights. The Human Rights Centre is academically
responsible for the MA and also for its day-to-day administration. A Director of
Studies is appointed by the Centre who is responsible for admissions and the
degree programme. The Director is also the academic adviser for MA students and
an Associate Director of the Human Rights Centre. The current director is Dr.
Andrew Fagan.
The MA is intended for students from a wide range of backgrounds, and for
those wishing to supplement field experience in human rights with further study.
Those who want to do practical and legal work for human rights organisations,
and those whose central interests lie in legal, political or ethical theory will
find the MA an outstanding preparation. Applicants need a good first
degree in a relevant discipline, a standard of English equivalent to IELTS 7.0,
and an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary work.
The MA may be taken either full time over 12 months, or part time over 24
months. The course starts in early October each year and finishes mid
September.
The Essex human rights
student community is truly international and multicultural. Students have come
from the four corners of the globe to study human rights at the University of Essex over the past three decades.
Studying human rights at Essex is to be a
member of a remarkably diverse community of students with a common interest in
human rights.
What is the MA about?
Since the Second World War, human rights have become a central concern for
governments and for citizens, for policy makers and for advocates. Recent events
in many parts of the world, including Eastern and Central Europe and Africa,
provide evidence of the huge growth in recognition and concern for human rights;
these events also show that the implementation and protection of human rights
continue to face enormous problems. Behind these practical problems lie many
unresolved theoretical and philosophical issues; how do we establish what human
rights there are? can we find convincing answers to those who assert that human
rights are just an aspect of 'western imperialism'? how can we connect human
rights to theories of state and society and to the concerns of justice? who is
responsible for the protection of human rights?
It is often said that human rights are best understood and studied from a
multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective. Unlike many other existing
human rights Masters’ courses, The MA Theory and Practice of Human Rights offers
an opportunity to examine the basis, application and violations of human rights
through a combination of different perspectives; including those provided by
legal, political, philosophical, sociological and even psychoanalytical
perspectives. Core components of the MA provide a thorough education in the
theoretical foundations and practical applications of human rights. Students are
required to develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of human rights
issues, ranging from the moral foundations of human rights principles to the
legal, political and social applications of human rights.
Structure of the MA
Teaching on all of our postgraduate programmes draws upon the expertise of
over forty academics associated with the Human Rights Centre. While students are
required to take a number of core modules, the MA also allows students to
specialise in specific areas of human rights. This is achieved through the
combination of core and optional modules. While each successful graduate of the
MA will receive the title of an MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights,
the range of options available enable students to tailor an important part of
their studies towards specific areas of human rights concern. These typically
include:
- Civil and political rights
- Economic, social and cultural rights
- Gender and Human Rights
- Development and Human Rights
- The Rights of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples
- International Trade, Business and Human Rights
- Comparative Politics of Human Rights
- Global Justice and Human Rights
- Human Rights and Public Policy
- Democracy, Citizenship and Human Rights
- Criminology and Human Rights
- Globalisation, Migration and Human Rights
Why take an interdisciplinary degree?
Human Rights as a subject naturally crosses over between disciplines,
particularly law, political science and philosophy. The MA gives an excellent
grounding not only in international law and international human rights law, but
also in political theory, international relations and the philosophical
foundations of rights, so that students study the whole context of the
continuing struggle to promote and protect human rights. Each discipline
enhances understanding of the others, and MA students find that the degree gives
them the knowledge and the arguments to work effectively in a wide variety of
human rights-related areas, and to feel comfortable dealing with many types of
opposition to human rights.
Who is the MA for?
The MA is intended for students from a wide variety of academic
backgrounds (law, social and political sciences, humanities etc.) and for those
wishing to supplement field experience in human rights with further study. Those
who want to do practical or legal work for human rights organisations, and those
whose central interests lie in legal, political or ethical theory, will find the
MA an outstanding preparation.
Applicants need a good first degree in a relevant discipline, and enthusiasm
for inter-disciplinary work.
How long does the MA last?
The MA may be taken either full time over 12 months, or part time for Home/EU
students only over 24 months, those for whom 24 months part-time study would
prove inconvenient a modular study option is available, with approval from the
Scheme Director. The course starts in early October each year and finishes on 15
September the following year.
MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights
Ten Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I need to be offered a place on the MA in the Theory
and Practice of Human Rights?
- Can I apply for the MA in the
Theory and Practice of Human Rights without having a background in Law?
- Do I need to have relevant Human Rights experience to be offered
a place on the MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights?
- Can I do the MA on a part-time basis?
- Will all the options listed in the prospectus be taught during the coming academic year
2008-2009?
- Who teaches on the MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights?
- Are the University of Essex campus and Colchester good places to pursue post-graduate
studies in human rights?
- Is the MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights a
multicultural degree?
- What funding is available for students
taking the MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights?
- Can I take a work placement or internship whilst on the MA in the Theory and
Practice of Human Rights?
1. What do I need to be offered a place on the MA in the Theory and Practice of
Human Rights?
Applicants need a good 2.1 in a relevant discipline. The MA is intended for
students from a wide range of backgrounds, and for those wishing to supplement
field experience in human rights with further study. Those who want to do
practical and legal work for human rights organisations, and those whose central
interests lie in political, social, legal or ethical theory will find the MA an
outstanding preparation.
If you do not speak English as a first language, you need to provide the
Centre with evidence of your proficiency in English. We require 7.0 on the IELTS
or 250 on the TOEFL. If your level of English is below what is required, you
have applied early enough during the year prior to the beginning of studies at
Essex, and your application is otherwise very strong, we would make you a
conditional offer subject to you satisfying our English requirement. We will
give you various options to do so, one of which is to follow some of the English
Modules available at our
International Academy depending on your needs.
We require copies (with a translation where necessary) of your transcripts
for all the degrees you list in your application.
We also require two letters of reference written by people who can comment on
your work and your academic ability. At least one of the two reference letters
should be from an academic who taught you and marked your work when you were a
student.
Once you have your application ready, make sure that you write a covering
letter and that you also send a CV (curriculum vitae or resumé).
Applications that do not fulfil all the necessary requirements will not be
considered so make sure that you include all relevant documentation in your
application.
2. Can I apply for the MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights without
having a background in Law?
Yes, absolutely. The MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights is
an inter-disciplinary degree which combines the teaching from the Departments of
Government, Law, Philosophy and Sociology; Human Rights as a subject naturally
crosses over between these disciplines. The MA gives an excellent grounding not
only in international law and international human rights law, but also in
political theory, international relations and the philosophical foundations of
rights, so that students study the whole context of the continuing struggle to
protect and promote human rights. Each discipline enhances understanding of the
others, and MA students find that the degree gives them the knowledge and the
arguments to work effectively in a wide variety of human rights-related areas,
and to feel comfortable dealing with many types of opposition to human rights.
3. Do I need to have relevant Human Rights experience to be offered a place on
the MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights?
No, you do not need to have previous Human Rights experience to do the MA in
the Theory and Practice of Human Rights. However, a lot of the people who apply
for the degree and who come to do the MA have worked within human rights
organisations or have previously studied Human Rights based degrees.
Nevertheless, we have had outstanding students who came to Essex directly after
completing their undergraduate degree. They were given an offer as they were
considered to be bright and promising students.
4. Can I do the MA on a part-time basis?
Yes, for Home/EU students you can do the MA over a 2 year period. The
structure of the part-time degree is exactly the same those students taking the
degree full-time. Taking the MA part-time simply means you take half the
Modules in the first year and the remaining Modules in the second year.
For further information in relation to our part-time MA, please contact Dr
Andrew Fagan, MA Course Director on fagaaw (non essex users add @essex.ac.uk)
5. Will all the options listed in the prospectus be taught during the coming
academic year 2009-2010?
We aim to be in a position to offer all options listed in our prospectus
during the academic year 2008-2009. However, there may be unforeseen staff
absences or movements and we cannot give an absolute guarantee that every option
will be available. Please consult the Human Rights website regularly so as to
keep up to date in relation to recent developments.
6. Who teaches on the MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights?
Our MA is taught by a uniquely strong human rights team combining
distinguished practical experience and academic knowledge. Our team covers a
diverse range of interests: comparative politics of human rights; economic,
social and cultural rights; development and human rights; minorities and
indigenous peoples; philosophy and sociology of human rights; and political
theory, among others. The team is also strong in areas relating to international
humanitarian law such as: the protection of refugees and internally displaced
persons; the international law of armed conflicts; international criminal law;
and peacekeeping. Our team has experts teaching on the three existing regional
human rights systems: African, Inter-American and European.
In addition, the Centre draws upon an extensive network of professional
associates and Fellows (who are formally affiliated with the Centre, but not
members of faculty at the University) who contribute guest lectures, workshops
and occasional colloquia throughout the year.
7. Are the University of Essex campus and Colchester good places to pursue
post-graduate studies in human rights?
Absolutely! Colchester is the oldest recorded town in England and is just 55
minutes away from London. The University has a well-equipped, large campus set
in beautiful parkland between Colchester and Wivenhoe, which provides students
and academics with a great environment to learn, think and do research. More
importantly, this environment provides students with the chance to establish
solid bonds with their classmates and with the academic staff as we are all in
permanent contact during the year. Equally, the
Human
Rights Centre provides our students with the necessary environment to
approach human rights from multiple disciplines.
8. Is the MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights a multicultural course?
Our
alumni comprise more than 1300 students from all over the world, with
different religions, languages, cultures and experiences. Students come from
all continents and backgrounds. Moreover, our students have had a broad range of
experience in human rights, working and/or interning for international
organisations (such as the UN, the OAS, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the
African Union), for NGOs (global and local), for governments at various levels,
for law firms or as academics, etc. This is one of the strong assets of our
degree as students really have the opportunity to learn from each other and not
only from the academic staff.
9. What funding is available for students taking the MA in the Theory and
Practice of Human Rights?
The main source of funding for overseas students is via the British Council.
Please enquire directly with them for further details. There is a joint
Human Rights Centre scholarship scheme available for
certain countries.
For Home/EU students the main source of funding is via the AHRC (Arts,
Humanities Research Council). If you wish to be considered for this
scholarship please ensure you submit your application to the Human Rights Centre
by mid-late February.
10. Can I take a work placement or internship whilst on the MA in the Theory and
Practice of Human Rights?
Yes, whilst on the MA you can take an internship. Internships are a central part of the
MA in the
Theory and Practice of Human Rights and the
LLM in
International Human Rights programmes of the Human Rights Centre. Students
on both these degree schemes are strongly advised to undertake an internship in
order to gain professional and personal experience. Many of our former students
now work in the human rights fields they were introduced to through their
internship.
Interns work with inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations for a
varying amount of time during the Summer Term. The positions may be in the
United Kingdom as well as in other parts of the world. The Human Rights Centre
advises students who are seeking internships and, upon their return, asks for
feedback from them. Students are also free to seek out organisations and design
new internships for themselves. The Human Rights Centre has an
internship database which lists all human rights organisations which have hosted
Essex interns in previous years. Students have access to this database to
search for organisational information and how to apply. The Human Rights
Centre also maintains contacts with a growing alumni association which combine
to offer a wide range of internship opportunities.
However, it should be noted that if you wish to leave your accommodation for
an internship before 2 July, you will have to continue to pay the accommodation
fees as part of the contract.
Testimonials
Tanya Wright (UK/Canada) - MA in Theory and Practice of Human Rights, 2004-2005
"I was attracted to the program because of its multidisciplinary approach to
Human Rights, from a theoretical and practical approach. The fact that
there were at least 20 different States represented in our academic year was
amazing. The student diversity, country origin and career, provided for
interesting class discussions. We also had the opportunity to attend workshops,
and guest lectures. One of my most memorable moments was working alongside my
colleagues from the MA and LLM program to organise the Catalyst 2005 – Global
Perspectives on Successful Implementation of Human Rights of Women conference;
it provided me with an opportunity to get to know my fellow classmates better
and work with those in the LLM program. I found the staff in the Law, Sociology
and MA administrative staff to be very supportive during my time at Essex. If I
had to do anything over again, I would have taken the advice of our lecturers to
attend as many classes, at the beginning of the term, to ensure I selected the
appropriate classes for me; especially in the law department there were so many
Modules to choose from. I had a great time at Essex and am very happy that I
chose this University to do my Masters."
Nimisha Patel (UK) - MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights, 2005-2007
"MA in Theory and Practice of Human Rights, and the Human Rights Centre has
not once failed to impress – I feel so privileged to have been taught at the
Centre, guided in my learning by outstanding lecturers committed to engaging,
thought-provoking and scholarly teaching which always encouraged us to think and
question in ways that has made learning extremely nourishing and
exciting. Without exaggeration, the MA was excellent, the teaching was great,
the staff always supportive, approachable and enthusiastic – the Human Rights
Centre and the MA has enriched and transformed my working life – I can only hope
I can do justice to what I have learnt."
Fajar Anugerah (Indonesia) - MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights, 2006-2007
"The experienced teaching staff and helpful support staff at the Human Rights
Centre have made my learning experience at Essex a memorable one.
Although, initially, I had some anxieties about living in the UK for one year, I
soon realised that one year was not long enough for me to learn all the things
that I wanted to learn and to really enjoy the atmosphere of the University of
Essex. With the help of teaching and support staff the Centre provided me
with the intellectual stimulation to learn - but also made my stay an enjoyable
one."
Fees and Accommodation
Full details of fees, subsistence requirements and accommodation can be found
in the University of Essex 'Introduction to the Graduate School' booklet.
For Further Information
For taught degree information please contact:
International enquiries:
Tel: +44 (0)1206 874470
e-mail:hr-pgt (non essex users add @essex.ac.uk)
Home/EU enquiries:
Tel: +44 (0)1206 872529
e-mail: hrep@essex.ac.uk