Human Rights and Diplomacy

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

Months of entry

January

Course content

This is the only Human Rights and Diplomacy programme in the world taught in partnership with the leading training body of the United Nations: the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

This is an interdisciplinary course that combines Law, Philosophy and Politics of human rights.

You’ll learn about the practice and theory of human rights laws and politics, the UN human rights institutions, their history and their philosophical foundations. You’ll be taught by top human rights researchers and will be given practical training from experienced UN personnel in negotiating draft documents, and learning how to make a difference.

The course includes a 5-day study visit to Geneva for all students, to observe the Human Rights Council in session. Additionally, for the final three months of the course, if your profile is strong enough then you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a highly desirable internship, or else to pursue projects with human rights organisations or to tackle a traditional dissertation.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

IELTS 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in Speaking and Listening and 6.5 in Reading and Writing

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): 176 overall with minimum 169 in speaking and listening and 176 in reading and writing

Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE): 180 overall with minimum 169 in speaking and listening and 180 in reading and writing

Pearson Test of English (Academic): 60 overall with minimum 56 in speaking and listening and 60 in reading and writing

IBT TOEFL: 80 overall with minimum 19 in listening, 21 in speaking, 19 in reading and 24 in writing

In order to be considered for the internship, applicants will need English language skills of IELTS 7.0 (6.5 in each band). Students will be expected to negotiate and communicate at the highest level so this level of language proficiency is required for the internship.

UNITAR requires a minimum of English C1 for its internships, which is equivalent to IELTS 6.5-7.

All students who apply for an internship will need to go through an interview process.

If you are from India, Bangladesh, Ghana or Nigeria please also check your country/region specific page for any additional, or changes to, English language requirements.

For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.