This research-focused Master of Arts brings together social work and human rights perspectives through a partially internet-based format. Taught in English within the social sciences, the programme examines how human rights concerns arise in everyday social work—particularly in work with vulnerable populations such as children and migrants—and in areas like the right to health, poverty, social exclusion, gender discrimination and racism.
The core purpose is to move beyond abstract or purely declarative human rights language and make it operational for social work theory and practice. A central element is fostering a professional self-understanding grounded in the programme’s “triple mandate”: the well-known double mandate to act on behalf of service users and society/providers, plus a third mandate on behalf of the profession itself, which emphasizes evidence-based theories of action and adherence to the profession’s ethical principles.
For international applicants this design offers greater flexibility through blended learning, while sharpening research and practice skills needed to apply human-rights frameworks in direct practice, advocacy, policy-relevant work and research settings.
Key facts & application notes
Program structure and focus This master's curriculum is built around five module groups that combine core theoretical foundations, thematic specialization, applied practice, and an independent research project. Core modules introduce social work through a human-rights lens and provide methodological grounding; elective clusters let you deepen knowledge about vulnerable groups and social action fields; and compulsory practice and thesis components ensure you carry out a substantial project and an independent research paper. ECTS credits are shown for each module, reflecting the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System workload.
Key modules and learning outcomes The foundation modules—Social Work and Human Rights; International Law: A Social Work Perspective; Global Social Work; and Critical Social Science Research—equip you with conceptual frameworks, legal literacy, and critical research skills needed for rights-based social work. The elective modules on health, migration, economic justice, gender and children’s rights let you develop subject-matter expertise. Practice-oriented modules in human rights education, organisational development, advocacy and critical approaches to practice train you to design, implement and evaluate interventions. The Human Rights Praxis Project gives supervised, hands-on experience realizing a concrete initiative, while the master’s thesis fosters advanced independent research. Graduates should be able to apply human-rights frameworks to social work practice, conduct critical research, plan and lead interventions, and communicate and advocate effectively in policy and organisational contexts.
Practical note for international students Credits are listed in ECTS and therefore transferable across many European systems; check the programme page for language of instruction and any additional admission details. A downloadable curriculum PDF is usually available from the programme website for full module descriptions and schedules.
Program requirements (concise)
Module A — Basic knowledge about the discipline and profession (compulsory; for all students):
Module B — Social problems / vulnerable groups (choose at least 2 of the following; each 7.5 ECTS):
Module C — Social action fields / social movements (choose at least 2 of the following; each 7.5 ECTS):
Module D — Human Rights Praxis Project (compulsory):
Module E — Master's Thesis (compulsory):
This master’s programme expects applicants to hold a first university degree in a related field (for example: social work, social sciences, law, humanities or cultural sciences) and to have completed at least one year of qualified full-time professional experience in a relevant area after that first degree. Candidates should also be able to show they have received adequate training in research methods and are proficient in English. All application documents must be submitted in English.
Prepare your application carefully: some documents (e.g., certificates and transcripts) will be formally validated only after admission, and only officially attested work experience counts toward the programme’s ranking. Make sure recommendation letters meet the stated requirements and that your CV clearly shows exact month/year periods and hours per week where relevant.
Admission requirements (submit all items in English)
Winter Semester (International)
1 March 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
1 March 2026
Graduates are prepared for professional roles that require combining social work practice with human rights expertise, such as positions in NGOs, international and national organisations, advocacy and policy work, and specialised social services working with vulnerable groups (children, migrants, people facing discrimination). The programme’s research training and thesis also provide a pathway to doctoral studies or research-oriented careers.
The applied Human Rights Praxis Project and modules on advocacy, organisational development and international law equip students with practical project-management, communication and policy skills sought after by employers in civil society, public institutions and international networks.