The MSc in Human Rights & International Politics offers a thorough academic analysis of one of the most salient and pressing issues in the contemporary world: the place of individual human rights in a system of international relations in which states’ rights have traditionally been paramount.

Programme overview

• MSc: 12 months full-time;
• PgDip 9 months part-time

You will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and take part in project and team work and an international study trip.

Core courses

• Critical perspectives on human rights (Politics)
• Fundamentals of international law (Law)
• Human rights and global politics (Politics)
• Qualitative research methods OR Social science statistics

Optional courses (two chosen, one from politics and one from law)

Politics

• Challenges in international politics
• China's international politics
• Chinese politics and society
• Comparative European politics
• Ethics in global politics
• EU in international politics and development
• Foreign policy of the United States 
• Freedom of expression
• Globalisation and European integration
• Institutions and policies of the European Union
• International relations theory
• International security and global politics
• Internet and civil society 
• Media and democracy
• Political institutions, crisis and communication
• Political legitimacy: contemporary perspectives
• Politics of gender in development.

Law

• British constitutionalism c1600-1800
• Freedom, vecurity and justice in the European Union
• Globalisation, constitutionalism and human rights
• Law and democracy
• United Nations law.  

Note: Some courses might not be available every year. You may also be able to choose from courses in the other subjects in the School of Social & Political Sciences and the School of Law.

Dissertation

The dissertation, written during the final phase of the programme, is your opportunity to explore your own specialist interest in human rights and international politics and to demonstrate the research and writing skills you have developed during the programme.

Career prospects

Career opportunities include positions in higher education, government/foreign ministry, intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations and think tanks.

Academic entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements are an honours degree at the 2.1/upper second class level or higher or equivalent (e.g. B/3.0 GPA in the undergraduate degree) in politics, law or related social science subject.

We will consider applications from graduates from other fields, but the applicant should submit a statement indicating why they are interested in changing fields or the connection to their previous study. We will also take relevant work experience into account.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation courses.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

• UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
• UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

Apply now

For 2013-14

MSc

PgDip