Everything you need to know...
-
What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
-
Where will I study?
-
When do I start?
September 2025
Where will I study?
Course summary
- Gain expertise in international and domestic human rights.
- Explore topics like gender equality and sustainability.
- Make a positive impact at our Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice.
- Work alongside practitioners to prepare for a rewarding career in the field.
- Develop critical thinking and practical skills in dynamic and collaborative environments.
The course builds on your existing credentials, providing a thorough understanding of the human rights and social justice challenges we face today, while increasing your employability and preparing you for a rewarding career. You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to become a skilled and knowledgeable human rights advocate/activist
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
This course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of human rights, theory, policy, and practice – developing your practical skills in applying human rights knowledge in the real-world.
The course is underpinned by a commitment to ethical and inclusive practice and is informed by ongoing research and industry practice.
You’ll benefit from a variety of teaching methods, whether you’re studying full-time or part-time. You can also tailor your learning by choosing to complete either an applied project or a dissertation.
You learn through:
- In-person teaching
- Remote learning
- Case studies and group work
- Guest speakers
- Student presentations
- Independent learning
- Applied learning
Course Topics
This course offers you the opportunity to develop a deep understanding and practical skills in human rights.
You'll delve into the foundational aspects of human rights – exploring emerging issues like gender equality, discrimination, refugee rights, environmental sustainability and climate justice. After examining the intersection of global health and human rights, you’ll apply your knowledge in your own project or dissertation.
Our teaching philosophy prioritises active and collaborative learning – encouraging you to develop critical thinking skills and the ability to apply your knowledge to real-world situations.
Course Support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- Access to an Academic Adviser for the duration of the course.
- Regular formative feedback.
- Feedback on summative assessments.
- Support from the Careers and Employability Service.
Our student and staff-led steering group, Manifest Diversity, ensures the promotion of minority student voices. Through it, you’ll be able to attend events such as UK Black Business Week and take on projects to improve inclusion within our course and University offer.
Applied learning
This course offers you the opportunity to apply your learning in practical settings through a variety of case studies, live projects and industry links. We’ve established strong relationships with domestic and international human rights stakeholders – providing you with valuable networking opportunities and access to real-world experiences.
Work Placements
You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a 6 months or 12 months placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Networking Opportunities
You’ll have access to a network of key professionals, researchers and industry specialists – they all support learning and knowledge generation nationally and internationally. Through this network you can attend seminars, internal/external speaker programmes, and guest inputs – further enhancing your understanding of applied human rights in the real world.
We believe our focus on applied learning is essential for preparing students for successful careers in the field of human rights. You’ll have access to the Helena Kennedy Centre’s Justice Hubs – collaborative spaces between staff, students and external networks which specialise in contemporary human rights and social justice issues.
Live Projects
Through our industry links and live projects, students gain invaluable experience and develop key skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving.
Our focus on applied learning prepares students for successful careers in the field of human rights, equipping them with the skills and experience needed to make a difference in the world.
Field Trips
Previous students have participated in a field trip to Lesotho, a transformative experience conducted in partnership with Africa's Gift. This trip immerses students in a rich culture, providing a real-world canvas to explore human rights theories learned in the classroom. By engaging with local communities and contributing to sustainable development projects, students witness the tangible impact of human rights practices. This trip not only amplifies the learning experience but also fosters a deeper understanding of global human rights issues, creating lasting memories and professional networks that extend beyond the classroom.
Students have also participated in an insightful field trip to the United Nations in Geneva. This visit grants students a rare glimpse into the daily operations of human rights work at the UN level, alongside the chance to interact with representatives from various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Experiencing first-hand the dialogues, negotiations, and advocacy efforts that shape global human rights policies, students are better positioned to envision their future roles within this crucial field. This trip to the heart of international human rights governance is more than just an educational venture; it's a stepping stone towards becoming successful human rights advocates.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in human rights and social justice, with skills applicable to global organisations such as the United Nations, or to organisations within the UK. Aligned with the United Nations Capability Framework, the degree equips you with the tools you need to succeed in the competitive job market and advance your career.
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Human rights law
- Human rights advocacy
- Policy or development work
- Non-governmental organisations
- Local and central government services
- Research and development organisations
- Academia or teaching
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Red Cross
- Refugee Council
- Law firms
- Academia (such as lecturers specialising in human rights)
Equipment and facilities
Our department provides modern and well-equipped teaching spaces that support interactive learning.
On this course you have access to:
- The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Blackboard which facilitates flexible and remote learning.
- The Helena Kennedy Centre’s Justice Hubs – a place for staff, students, and external stakeholders to collaborate on project work and research.
- Hallam Facilities Online – including Study Skills, Library Gateway, and student support services.
Our facilities are designed to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed in your studies.
We have invested over £100 millions in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This includes 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
360 tour - Moot Court
Entry requirements
All students
Typically a 2.2 honours degree or above in human rights, law, social science, politics, international development or a related humanities disciplines.
We also welcome those who have relevant professional experience and those who wish to apply the practical realisation of human rights within their professional field.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS 6.5 score with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skill areas or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Foundations Of Human Rights
Human Rights And Emerging Issues
Elective modules
Applied Project
Dissertation
Environmental Rights, Sustainability And Climate Justice
Gender, Equality And Discrimination
Global Health And Human Rights
Refugee Rights
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Law and Justice (PDF, 141.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
Student success story
‘I loved the way my course was structured. We were allowed to write freely on topics of our choice, while at the same time applying the basic principles and theories of human rights.’
Matthew Morgan, MA Applied Human Rights, graduate 2016
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Take a tour around the School of Law facilities with student Ellie.
