Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law and Society (Master)

The Master's programme Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law and Society is particularly suitable for prospective students with a first degree in social sciences, political sciences, law, communication sciences, philosophy or similar with an interest in an interdisciplinary graduate programme that provides different approaches to issues of human rights development. Openness to the various disciplines, an interest in political issues, a high level of motivation to study and solid English skills are good qualifications for admission to this programme. 

In the course of the Master's degree programme, students must complete ten modules spread over four semesters. In the first two semesters, students learn the basics of the history and theories of human rights and human rights codifications as well as social sciences methods and gain knowledge in legal argumentation. Communication and understanding of human rights are another topic of the first academic year, before students complete an internship of ten weeks in an institution relevant to human rights issues. In the third semester, students can choose two out of three specialisation modules, each with a focus on labour, business and diversity, migration or communication. In the fourth semester, the Master's thesis is written on a research question developed during their studies or internship.

Graduates of the study programme should understand the national, regional and global development of human rights from a sociological, legal and political science perspective. In addition, they learn about key social, political and legal development dynamics that are influenced by the establishment of human rights. They also deal with the codifications, the political levels and the social institutions that are dedicated to the implementation of human rights. Using social sciences methods, they independently analyse issues relating to human rights and learn to present human rights developments in an argumentative manner and negotiate them in an intercultural context.

A completed B.A. or LL.B. degree lasting at least six semesters, e.g. social sciences, law, economics, cultural sciences, philosophy, social work within the scope of the German Higher Education Framework Act or at a foreign university recognised as equivalent. Access is possible if social science and/or law knowledge totalling at least 40 ECTS credits was acquired in the Bachelor's degree. Alternatively, up to 20 ECTS credits can be completed in the first academic year. The Examination Board will impose conditions in this regard. 2. evidence of a good command of English. For students who have successfully completed a university degree programme within the scope of the German Higher Education Framework Act, evidence of good English language skills is generally provided by a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 79 or equivalent (B2). For students who have successfully completed a university degree at a foreign university recognised as equivalent, evidence of proficiency in English is generally provided by a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 79 or equivalent. If the final examination was passed in English, this is always considered equivalent to a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 79. With regard to knowledge of the English language, evidence must be provided in a suitable manner that this is sufficient to follow teaching in this language; in cases of doubt, admission will be made dependent on the successful completion of an oral interview in this language at the Fulda University of Applied Sciences. 3. evidence of a letter of application in German or English stating the motivation for taking up the university studies and further professional orientations.

With German educational certificates: 15 April to 30 September; with foreign educational certificates: 1 March to 30 September

Important note: International applicants who require a student visa for Germany must apply by July in order to receive notification of admission in time to start their university studies in October. You can expect to receive the notification of admission you need for the visa approximately five to eight weeks after submitting your application. We advise to find out about the usual visa processing times in your country of origin and make an appointment at the embassy in charge as early as possible. Apply as early as possible so that you have enough time for your preparations (visa application, finding accommodation, etc.).