Master of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

This programme provides in-depth training in international human rights and humanitarian law, covering both substantive legal areas and practical skills. Core topics include civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; prohibition of discrimination; the rights of women, children, minorities and peoples; refugee and migration law (including issues affecting internally displaced persons); individual criminal responsibility and state responsibility; and questions of justice, criminal penalties and enforcement. The curriculum also examines democracy, the rule of law and administration, conflict prevention and management, and contemporary issues in armed conflict, alongside public international law foundations.

You will also develop academic and professional skills essential for legal practice and research in this field: academic English writing, legal analysis and legal writing, research methods, and specific approaches to human rights work in conflict and crisis settings. Teaching combines on-site lectures and seminars with distance learning. On-site sessions take place in Frankfurt (Oder) and are delivered in small-group formats; remote elements run through an interactive online platform to support study between on-site periods.

Curriculum highlights

• Civil and political rights
• Economic, social and cultural rights
• Prohibition of discrimination
• Women's and children's rights
• Rights of minorities and peoples
• Refugees, internally displaced persons, and migration law
• Individual (criminal) responsibility
• State responsibility
• Justice, criminal penalties and enforcement
• Democracy, rule of law and public administration
• Conflict prevention and management; current issues of armed conflict
• Public international law
• Academic English writing; legal analysis and legal writing
• Human rights practice in conflict and crisis settings

Requirements / programme format

• Language of instruction: English
• Teaching format: blended (on-site periods + distance learning)
• On-site teaching location: Frankfurt (Oder)
• Small-group seminars and lectures during on-site periods
• Distance learning delivered via an interactive internet platform

Curriculum overview

This three-semester MA blends international human rights and humanitarian law through two taught semesters followed by a practical research stage. The winter and summer semesters cover foundational and specialised legal topics, while the final semester is devoted to a practical placement (internship) and the completion of a Master’s thesis. Alongside core classes, the programme offers seminars and workshops designed to strengthen students’ practical abilities.

Key modules taught in the winter semester introduce the legal frameworks and substantive standards: Introduction to international human rights and humanitarian law; Civil and political rights; Economic, social and cultural rights and prohibition of discrimination; and Conflict management and current issues in international humanitarian law. In the summer semester students study Rights of disadvantaged groups; Law of refugees and migration; Individual (criminal) responsibility and state responsibility; and Constitutional principles.

Learning outcomes focus on the ability to read and apply international and constitutional legal instruments, to analyse rights-based and humanitarian-law questions across contexts of conflict and migration, and to assess accountability mechanisms for both individuals and states. The third-semester practical module and the Master’s thesis give students opportunities to translate classroom learning into applied experience and sustained research. Complementary seminars and workshops further develop practical skills useful for careers in NGOs, international organisations, legal practice, policy work, or academic research.

Program components and completion requirements (concise)

• Winter-semester core modules: Introduction to international human rights and humanitarian law; Civil and political rights; Economic, social and cultural rights and prohibition of discrimination; Conflict management and current issues in international humanitarian law
• Summer-semester modules: Rights of disadvantaged groups; Law of refugees and migration; Individual (criminal) responsibility and state responsibility; Constitutional principles
• Third semester: practical module (internship) and Master’s thesis (required for degree completion)
• Additional seminars/workshops offered to improve students’ practical skills (e.g., applied legal skills, advocacy, research methods)

Graduates are prepared for careers in international organisations, regional human rights systems, UN agencies, humanitarian NGOs, refugee and migration agencies, public administrations, national human rights bodies, and legal practice (including prosecution or law firms with a human-rights focus). The combination of doctrinal knowledge and practical internship experience equips students for operational, policy, advisory and litigation roles.

The programme also supports pathways into research, advocacy, diplomacy and further academic study. Coursework in legal analysis, academic English and practical workshops develops transferable skills valued by employers working in conflict, crisis and post-conflict settings.