Reparatory Justice MSc/MA
In partnership with
This double degree Masters programme offers a unique opportunity to work with leading scholars in Reparatory Justice at The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Glasgow (UofG). Directed by the Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research (GCCDR), the programme is a collaboration between the Beniba Centre for Slavery Studies in Glasgow and the Centre for Reparations Research at The UWI. With a specific focus on the Caribbean and the slavery reparations movement, the programme will also draw on case studies of campaigns for reparative justice in other global contexts. You will learn how to conduct practical and theoretical research using archival, interviews and legal research while also gaining experience in organisations doing reparative work to produce a final research project on reparative justice.
- Academic contact: Dr Christine Whyte: Christine.Whyte@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- MSc/MA: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time
Why this programme
- The University of the West Indies is a world-leader in the formulation, activism and academic research underpinning claims for reparations for slavery. Students will be able to access archives and library collections in Barbados and Jamaica for research.
- The University of Glasgow offers access to primary source materials and material culture holdings and draws on a range of expertise across the study of slavery, genocide and human rights violations.
- This double degree will allow students to graduate with a degree from both institutions and will leverage the close relationship and official partnership between The University of the West Indies and The University of Glasgow and GCCDR.
Programme structure
You will take:
- four core courses (two offered by The UWI, two by UofG)
- two optional courses
You will also produce a dissertation.
Core courses
Semester one
Semester two
Optional courses
You will choose two optional courses from an available range of topics. The optional courses are updated each year, but may include:
- AFRICAN DIASPORA STUDIES
- PSYCHO-HISTORIOGRAPHY AND REPARATORY JUSTICE
- SEEKING REFUGE FROM SLAVERY: ENSLAVED RESISTANCE FROM AFRICA TO THE AMERICAS
- RAW MATERIAL: LITERATURE, EMPIRES, COMMODITIES (PGT)
- POSTCOLONIALISM: WRITING AND THEORY (PGT)
- A 'NEW FORM OF SLAVERY'?: INDENTURED LABOUR IN POST-SLAVERY CARIBBEAN SOCIETIES, C. 1836-1917
Summer: April to September
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is mainly seminar and discussion-based in small classes. As students will be based in both the Caribbean and the UK, seminars will be delivered in a ‘hybrid’ format, meaning some students will be in the classroom at the University of the West Indies, with University of Glasgow students joining via online video link and vice versa.
Technical skills are taught in the core courses, while conceptual foundations are explored in weekly seminars. Independent and self-reflective critical work is fostered through written assignments and seminar presentations, culminating in the dissertation.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
The research skills and methods you’ll gain on this programme give you the transferable skills for positions in NGOs, the public and private sectors, including heritage policy and projects, activism, media and teaching.
The programme is also an excellent foundation for PhD study in a similar field.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2023-24
MSc/MA
Full-time fees
- UK/Caribbean students: £10,050
- EU/International students: £22,140
Part-time fees
- UK/Caribbean students: £1,117 per 20 credits
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
Postgraduate Access Scholarship
The University of Glasgow is pleased to be offering Postgraduate Access Scholarships to support Home students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University. Applications are particularly welcomed from applicants who met any of our widening participation criteria, or equivalent, at undergraduate level. The value of each scholarship is £4,000 and they are for students undertaking a one or two year Taught Masters programme. For two year Taught Masters programmes, the scholarship is available in year one only.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
Normally a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a cognate subject area.
In exceptional circumstances we may consider applicants who have the equivalent of a 2:1 undergraduate degree in the form of relevant professional experience in the field.
You are required to upload a personal statement using the template below AND a CV with your application submission.
Applicants will be required to attend an online interview.
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)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.5.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 92 with minimum of R 23, L 23, S 23, W 24.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
PTE (Academic or Academic Online)
- 64 with minimum of 62 in all subtests.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)
- 65%.
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- Two references on letter headed paper
- A personal statement (max. 750 words) stating which campus you are intending to study at (Cave Hill Campus, Barbados / Glasgow Campus, UK / Mona campus, Jamaica).
- A CV
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-UK students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Choice of institution/campus: Please select the institution that you want to attend in person as the primary campus for the duration of your studies.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate including a CV.
- Reference: Please provide two references. They should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee’s directly.
- Personal statement: Please note your personal statement (max. 750 words) should address and evidence the following:
- your preparedness for the programme. That is, why you believe you are well-placed to undertake the programme - e.g. academic achievement, relevant professional experience and/or personal achievement.
- why you wish to undertake the double degree and how you will benefit from the programme - e.g. intended graduate destination / employment prospects.
- Please be sure to note which campus you plan to study at (Cave Hill Campus, Barbados / Glasgow Campus, UK / Mona campus, Jamaica).
Application deadlines
September 2023
As there is an interview requirement for this degree programme, the University has established an application process with application rounds. You will be required to attend an online interview on a date between the Round deadline and the decision date.
Round 1 application dates
1 October to 19 November 2022. You will receive our decision on your application by 3 February 2022.
Round 2 application dates
20 November 2022 to 18 February 2023. You will receive our decision on your application by 24 March 2023.
Round 3 application dates
19 February to 27 May 2023. You will receive our decision on your application by 8 July 2023.
Round 4 application dates
28 May to 1 July 2023. You will receive our decision on your application by 11 August 2023.
As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.
Apply now
