MA in Human Rights

Earn a valuable degree

Combining theoretical and practical perspectives, this program prepares you to make an impact in national, regional and international human rights protection. An internship program with local NGOs, a course at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the Vienna Human Rights Model United Nations Conference offer unique experience-based learning opportunities.

Quick Facts

Duration 10 months
Starting in September
Application Deadline 1st of February
Tuition Fee €13,000/year
Location Vienna, Austria
Degree Dual Austrian and the U.S. degree

The program combines social science, policy-based approach with legal science, thus non-lawyers are given an opportunity to benefit from a curriculum with a legal focus. It offers practical instruction in the specific legal mechanisms and institutional processes which may be used by national human rights organizations to effectively approach human rights issues that transitional and established democracies might confront. Teaching is designed to incorporate both theoretical perspectives and concrete empirical analyses of the most important questions in human rights.

Select areas of study

International and regional protection of human rights · Equality and non-discrimination · Advocacy and litigation strategies · Civil and political rights in established and emerging democracies

Rigorous and closely monitored coursework provides the tools of analysis, critical reading and writing necessary to enable students to make a significant and lasting contribution both to the rights protection in their home countries and to enforcement of human rights at large.

Areas of research and teaching cover – among others – constitutional and international mechanisms for the protection of human rights, with particular focus on the Council of Europe and the United Nations, freedom of expression and freedom of religion, human rights and criminal justice, political rights, non-discrimination, minority protection, human rights in Africa, politics and theories of European integration from a human rights perspective.

Courses include:

  • Archives, Evidence and Human Rights
  • Business and Human Rights
  • Critical Race Theory: Race and Law from the United States to Europe
  • Equality Policy in Comparative Perspective
  • European Anti-Discrimination Law
  • Global Law and Religion
  • Human Rights Legal Research Methodology
  • Illiberal Democracy and the Rule of Law
  • International and European Refugee Law and Policy
  • International Rule of Law Assistance: Law and Development
  • Introduction to Law
  • Introduction to the Protection of Human Rights
  • The Law and Politics of Combating Violence Against Women
  • Theories of Human Rights: Intercultural Perspectives
  • The UN Human Rights System

Apply

Admissions requirements:

  • Completed online application form
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Letters of recommendation
  • CV
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Academic records
  • Academic essay (for the capstone track) or research proposal (for the thesis track)

Application deadlines:

  • February 1, 2023 for master’s and PhD studies with financial aid
  • March 15, 2023 for self-financing master’s candidates who will require a study visa
  • August 15, 2023 for self-financing master’s candidates who will not require a study visa

Get Started Today!

Fill out this form to request more info on tuition, course details & more.

Request free information

Your privacy matters and your data will be held in accordance with Central European University's (CEU) privacy policy as well as Studyportals’ privacy statement and terms of use. You consent to receiving marketing material from CEU and Studyportals about furthering your education. You understand that these calls/emails/texts may be generated using an automated technology. You also consent that Studyportals can verify your course search and enrolment progress via publicly available information or via education institutions you’ve shown an interest in, with which we can share your personal details (for verification purposes only).
You can contact CEU and Studyportals at any time to exercise your personal data rights.

What our students say

“Joining CEU’s Legal Studies Department was one of the most rewarding decisions I have made so far. The supportive learning environment combined with the life-long relationships I have formed here with people from varied academic, professional and cultural backgrounds creates a unique, yet educational, experience I have never had before. My time here has really put so much into perspective, and I will always have this school to thank for that.”

Moriah Barrow
U.S.

Get in touch

Ask a question, get more information or request a brochure. We’re here to help you.