MA/Diploma Human Rights and Global Ethics (DL)

We also offer this course campus based.

Course Aims

This course is designed to:

• Provide you with advanced knowledge of the ethical challenges for order, co-operation, participation and human rights in contemporary politics and international relations;
• Develop your ability to differentiate between different perspectives on human rights;
• Provide you with the ability to identify, interpret and apply a range of methods for formulating, defending, developing and applying human rights.

Course Detail

Recent protests and social movements have advanced a range of political claims to human rights. The global economic crisis is one part of the growing range of ethical, social and political issues that cannot be resolved by states acting alone. Human rights and global ethics are therefore increasingly vital areas of study.

Over recent years the idea of human rights has become a central issue in international politics, much of which can no longer be fully understood without an understanding of the politics of human rights. The MA addresses these concerns from the perspective of their global political context. 

This course provides a thorough grounding in the political and international theory of human rights and global ethics. On this course, you will be exposed to different theoretical and political perspectives on human rights. You will have the chance to study in depth the global political context of pressing ethical issues. The course combines study of the main theories and concepts related to human rights and global ethics with detailed empirical analysis of issues such as intelligence, slavery, citizenship, refugees, animal rights, security and war.

The course is designed to equip graduates with knowledge and skills relevant to employment and career development in government, media, business, NGOs and any professional context in which cross-cultural sensitivity and ethical awareness is a requirement.

Course Structure

You must complete The Politics of Human Rights core module (detailed below) plus a further three option modules from those available. If you wish to continue on to the MA, these modules will be followed by your dissertation.

The Core Module: The Politics of Human Rights

This module discusses the major approaches to classifying rights and human rights. It covers the main political and philosophical accounts of the origins of rights, and encourages students to engage critically with current political controversies surrounding the idea of human rights. It has a focus on the relationship between the state, politics and human rights, and introduces students to the advanced ways in which human rights are quantified and measured in today’s world.

Duration and Mode of Study

Two years distance learning. We also offer this course campus based.

Start Dates

March and September each year.

Entry Requirements

Either a first or a good second class honours degree from a British university or its equivalent, in Politics, History, International Relations or other related subjects.

We also welcome applicants with relevant professional experience and qualifications.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to have a qualification such as the British Council International English Language Testing System (score 6.5 or above) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (score 90/575).

How to Apply

Next Step: Request an Information Pack for the Distance Learning programme or Apply Online via the link on the top right of this page.

Next Step: Request an Information Pack for the Campus based programme.

 Postgraduate Brochure.

These pages should be read in conjunction with the University of Leicester’s Postgraduate Prospectus and Postgraduate Regulations.

You may also be interested to look at our our  Staff Research and Publications.