Human Rights MA

How could a critical human rights approach help fight pervasive social and economic inequalities, anti-democratic forces and the climate crisis?

On this course, you’ll engage with human rights and their historical origins, philosophical foundations, global expansion, everyday practice and possible futures. You’ll learn from our expert faculty. Their cutting-edge research in a range of disciplines – including international relations, anthropology, law and human geography – underpins your teaching.

You’ll gain specialist knowledge in the field of human rights research and practice. Your learning is grounded in our distinctive interdisciplinary, critical social science approach. The course explores a range of topics, which may include:

• advocacy, activism and social justice
• human rights and culture
• decolonisation and anti-racism
• (state) violence, civil liberties and counterterrorism
• globalisation and neoliberalism
• the environment and climate change
• international human rights organisations
• children’s rights
• indigenous and minority rights
• LGBTQ+ rights
• women’s rights and gender equality.

You’ll be based in the interdisciplinary School of Global Studies. On our campus, you’ll become part of an active student community. There are debates, lectures, films and social events covering global and political issues. We also run a varied programme of guest lectures and seminars. This gives you the opportunity to network with academics and professionals based around the world. When you graduate, you’ll have the expertise and global perspective for a career in the field of human rights.

Degree requirementsBachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/5.0 or 2.8/4.0.Subject-specific requirementsYour qualification should be in a social sciences or humanities subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.Please noteOur entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

IELTS (Academic)

Standard level (6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

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