What will I learn?

On this course, you’ll engage with human rights and their historical origins, philosophical foundations, global expansion, everyday practice and possible futures. You’ll learn from our expert faculty. Their cutting-edge research in a range of disciplines – including international relations, anthropology, law and human geography – underpins your teaching. You’ll gain specialist knowledge in the field of human rights research and practice. Your learning is grounded in our distinctive interdisciplinary, critical social science approach. The course explores a range of topics, which may include: • advocacy, activism and social justice • human rights and culture • decolonisation and anti-racism • (state) violence, civil liberties and counterterrorism • globalisation and neoliberalism • the environment and climate change • international human rights organisations • children’s rights • indigenous and minority rights • LGBTQ+ rights • women’s rights and gender equality. You’ll be based in the interdisciplinary School of Global Studies. On our campus, you’ll become part of an active student community. There are debates, lectures, films and social events covering global and political issues. We also run a varied programme of guest lectures and seminars. This gives you the opportunity to network with academics and professionals based around the world. When you graduate, you’ll have the expertise and global perspective for a career in the field of human rights.

Which department am I in?

University of Sussex

Study options

Full Time (1 Year)

Tuition fees

£23,500.00 (25,60,471) per year

Books, course materials and other costs (average) - £10 to £15 per week

This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Application deadline

Expected August 2027

Start date

September 2026

Venue

University of Sussex

Sussex House, Falmer,

Brighton,

East Sussex,

BN1 9RH, Southern England, United Kingdom

Entry requirements

For international students

Degree requirements: You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above. Applicants with a lower second-class (2.2) degree classification will be considered on a case by case basis. Subject-specific requirements: Your qualification should be in a social sciences or humanities subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.