How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Migration Studies

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Sociology and Criminology

What is the relationship between migration, social policy and welfare? What are the social and cultural challenges that international migration and forced migration has for both sender and receiving societies? Our course uniquely explores the study of migration through a sociological perspective, investigating how these challenges shape policy agendas with particular attention to issues surrounding social integration, rights and multiculturalism.

Our MA Migration Studies combines insights of sociological theory with the methodological tools highly in demand by government, NGOs and supranational institutions. Drawing on the expertise of leading researchers, you build a strong theoretical understanding and address key issues surrounding migration. This course covers a wide range of topics, including:

Citizenship and Human rights
Welfare
Immigration policy
Social cohesion and integration
Human trafficking
Race, ethnicity and identity
Multiculturalism

You also gain a critical and coherent perspective on empirical research and examining the key assumptions and ideological underpinnings of qualitative and quantitative research.

Our Department of Sociology and Criminology is 2nd in UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Why we're great.

Uniquely taught within our Department of Sociology and Criminology, so you gain a strong sociological and interdisciplinary dimension.
Develop the skills needed to make your own contribution to the field, examining underpinnings of research
We are 2nd in UK for research power in sociology (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Our expert staff

We are a large and friendly department, offering a diverse range of research interests and with staff members who are committed to teaching, research and publication that covers a broad geographical and thematic spectrum.

Key academic staff for this course include:

Carlos Gigoux (Course Director of the MA Migration Studies), researches the impact of migration for Indigenous peoples and the role of social movements in advancing migrants rights
Alejandra Diaz, whose research interests include undocumented migration, transit migration, violence, and trust among Central American migrants in Mexico, as well as how humanitarian actors and migrants perceive the climate crisis as a driver of migration.
Magda Borkowska, who teaches modules in researching social life and modelling crime and society.
Phoebe Kisubi Mbasalaki, whose research interests include Critical race, class, gender and sexuality; Decolonial thought and praxis; Creative activism; Arts-based practices and research; Sexual Reproductive Health; Sex work; Migration; Meaningful collaborations with NGOs and grassroot organisations.
Neli Demireva, whose research interests include migration, inter-ethnic ties, social cohesion, ethnic penalties and multiculturalism
Isabel Crowhurst, researches the shifting and contested knowledge produced around non-normative sexual practices and intimate lives, how these shape and are shaped by socio-economic dynamics, and how they are negotiated and made sense of in everyday lived experiences.
Renee Luthra, analyses immigrant integration and ethnic inequality in school, work and health in Germany, the United States and the UK
Sarah Kunz, researches privileged migration; the politics of migration categories and knowledge production on migration; the historical relationship between mobility, coloniality and racism; corporate migration management, and the commodification of citizenship.

Specialist facilities

The Masters in Migration Studies will form an integral part of the interdisciplinary Centre for Migration Studies developing at Essex, including a tailored Migration-focused postgraduate workshop every Spring
The opportunity to network with other migration scholars in Japan, Germany, and the United States
Links with the Institute of Social and Economic Research, which conducts large-scale survey projects and has its own library, and the UK Data Archive, the largest survey data depository in the UK
A unique Student Resource Centre where you can get help with your studies, access examples of previous students' work, and attend workshops on research skills
The Sociology common room is open all day Monday-Friday, is stocked with daily newspapers, magazines and journals, and has free drinks available

Your future

A degree in Migration Studies with a sociological approach, especially one from a recognised centre of excellence like Essex, opens many doors.

This course provides excellent preparation for establishing a career in policy making, human rights organisations or to continue further academic study. Many of our postgraduates go on to successful academic careers, both in the UK and overseas.

We work with the University's Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:

Humanities
Social Science

We will also consider applicants with a 2:2 degree or above in any discipline which includes at least two modules in humanities or social science.

You will also be required to pass a satisfactory post offer interview

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Postgraduate Taught Project and Academic Skills

(60 CREDITS)

What interests you? Do you want to deepen your knowledge, build invaluable research skills and develop your academic freedom? Your dissertation lets you study a topic of your choosing, in depth, with supervision and guidance from our world-leading academics.

View Postgraduate Taught Project and Academic Skills on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Sociological Research Design

(20 CREDITS)

How do you design social research for projects? Examine the research process, from forming initial research questions through to writing up your findings. Develop your own research ideas via the approaches discussed, building a critical perspective on empirical research that will help you with future research goals.

View Sociological Research Design on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Migration: Theory, Concepts and Selected Issues

(20 CREDITS)

Throughout the module, we will discuss international theories of migration and social integration, examine migration and refugee policies in a comparative perspective, the difference between statistical and taste-based discrimination, and the perpetuation of bias, how we gain an understanding of labour market integration; and the debates surrounding migration, prostitution and sex work.

View Migration: Theory, Concepts and Selected Issues on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Citizenship, International Migration and Human Rights

(20 CREDITS)

This seminar is an introduction to major theoretical approaches and substantive issues in the current sociological thinking on citizenship, with a view on the postwar reconfigurations of the nation-state and citizenship via globalization and the expansion of transnational framework of human rights. Substantively, the seminar explores the contemporary processes that underline the inclusions and exclusions in the body of citizenry: territorial and cultural closure of the nation, expansion of individual (human) rights and privileges, immigration and incorporation of diversity, European citizenship, globalization of economy and markets, and the transnationalization of normativity, actors, and claims for citizenship.

View Citizenship, International Migration and Human Rights on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Colonialism, Cultural Diversity and Human Rights

(20 CREDITS)

How has colonialism created human rights problems, now and in the past? And what part did mandates for free markets, industrialism and state sovereignty play? Study thinkers like Cesaire, Fanon, Arendt, Agamben and Taussig. Discuss specific international situations like Palestine, forced removal of Aboriginal children and the war on terror. This module has been designed to enable students to integrate their subject knowledge with an understanding of sustainable development, acquiring the skills and competencies essential for addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of the 21st century.

View Colonialism, Cultural Diversity and Human Rights on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: OPTIONAL

(40 CREDITS)

Teaching

Postgraduate students in the Department of Sociology and Criminology typically have 2 hours of contact time for each module per week. This consists of a two-hour seminar, or a one-hour lecture and a one-hour class.
Your compulsory modules include a broad overview of migration theory and current issues in migration studies, which will help inform your dissertation and allow networking with other migration studies students
Migration Studies postgraduates are encouraged to take advantage of the strong research culture and multiple seminar series in the Sociology department, as well as the multi-disciplinary workshops organised by the Centre for Migration Studies

Assessment

Coursework is designed to help you develop your ability to critically synthesize existing literature, present new ideas and concepts clearly both in writing and verbally, and to identify research questions and appropriately choose methods to address them

Dissertation

Your 10,000 word dissertation will allow you to complete a piece of original research closely supervised by a member of staff
Your dissertation will serve as proof of competence of the skills acquired during the programme, suitable for entrance into further study or as a writing sample for employment.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£10,500

International fee

£22,750

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2025 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 20 September 2025 - September Open Day

Saturday 8 November 2025 - November Open Day

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.

We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.