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Human Rights Studies - Master's Programme

Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits

Three students with laptops discussing something

Description

The Master’s programme in the interdisciplinary field of human rights, with a profile within the humanities, combines historical, philosophical, political and legal perspectives on the complex phenomenon that human rights represent in our world. Our teaching faculty reflects the academic width of the Master’s programme. We are committed to the view that human rights need to be regarded and studied not only as ethical principles or ground for law and policy, but also as part of the infrastructure of a democratic society.

This is a research-oriented programme for students interested in gaining interdisciplinary skills relevant for political and cultural challenges of our time. We focus on an interactive teaching style with close connections to ongoing research. Students have the opportunity to complete an internship as part of their studies.
The programme is offered by the Human Rights Studies division at the Department of History, which is also home to the only PhD programme in interdisciplinary human rights studies in Sweden. We are located at the LUX Humanities Centre which offers a vibrant environment with library, café, and reading rooms. 

Programme modules/courses

Compulsory courses (with number of credits):

Semester 1: Human Rights in the Global World: Agents, Indicators and Institutions (15), Human Rights in the History of Politics and Philosophy (15), Semester 2: Human Rights: Research Methods and Research Ethics (15), Semester 3: Field course (30), Semester 4: Master’s thesis (30).

Elective courses

Thematic Specialisation I (7.5), Thematic Specialisation II (7,5) within the field of Human Rights. Within the Field course students choose to do an internship or fieldwork or study courses in a relevant field abroad (30).

Open for applications

Application opportunities

This programme is open for applications from 15 October 2024 to 15 January 2025.

Contact

Programme Coordinator

Kristina Robertsson

Phone: 0462223047

Email: mrs [at] mrs [dot] lu [dot] se

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

A Bachelor’s degree with a major in human rights or other relevant major in the humanities, social sciences, law, or the equivalent. English course 6 (advanced proficiency)

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in a subject other than Human Rights Studies must demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge of the subject through specialisation or a degree project.

Selection criteria

Grades from courses with content of relevance to the programme. The applicant’s proficiency in English, orally and in writing. A letter of intent. Two letters of recommendation

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Start Autumn Semester 2025

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

1 September 2025 - 6 June 2027

Application

Last application date 2025-01-15

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 
Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Programme-specific documents

In addition to the documents mentioned under Step 2, you must also submit:

  • one statement of purpose (500 words) where the applicant describes qualifications, academic and professional ambitions and state why these make the student adequate for the programme;
  • two letters of recommendation in English from people who are familiar with and capable of assessing the applicant’s academic abilities

Watch on YouTube: How to apply for a Master's programme

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 250 000

First payment: SEK 62 500

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.

ARUA Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations

Testimonials