Human Rights and Global Ethics MA
1-2 years, full- or part-time
The gap between the promise and reality of universal human rights is worrying. Strides are being taken, but there’s still much to do. This Masters in human rights and global ethics addresses this challenge on both a conceptual and practical level.
Course information
UK fee £9,550
International fee £18,950
Taught by Politics and International Relations
Postgraduate Office, Politics and International Relations
+44 (0)116 252 2714
hypirpg@le.ac.uk
Course description
Course description
In today's world, human rights continue to go unprotected and disrespected, with situations of protracted conflict and displacement only the most visible example of a gap between the promise and reality of universal human rights. Even the idea of universal human rights continues to be hotly contested. This degree addresses challenges at both the practical and conceptual level. It also encourages you to appraise all aspects of international politics from the perspective of global ethics, which means considering the rights and wrongs of issues related to institutions, foreign policy and trade.
By taking this course you will gain a thorough grounding in key concepts and theories of human rights and global ethics. You will develop your knowledge of the different theoretical and policy perspective on a range of ethical issues. You will also study in depth the global political context of pressing ethical issues, which includes considerations of state behaviour and relations between states and non-state actors. You also have the option of taking specialist modules in International Human Rights Law as part of this course.
You will develop their research skills and pursue in-depth dissertation length studies in human rights and global ethics, benefiting from academic expertise in areas including intelligence, slavery, citizenship, refugees, animal rights, security, and war.
The degree will equip you with the competencies and skills to understand and participate in contemporary debates in human rights and global ethics and to analyse politics and international relations using a mixture of normative, theoretical and empirical tools.
You will gain knowledge and skills relevant to employment and career development in government, media, business, non-governmental organisations and any professional context in which cross-cultural sensitivity and ethical awareness are requirements.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
2:1 degree or its equivalent in Politics, History, International Relations or other related subjects.
Equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2025
- MA: £9,550
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible.
International Students
Starting in September 2025
- MA: £18,950
Applicants to this course who come from developing Commonwealth countries can apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our postgraduate degrees are an excellent way to enhance your expertise and career prospects and provide a foundation for a wide range of career options. You may seek to use your knowledge to work in government service, international organisations or areas of political research and journalism. Or you may opt to look for employment in fields such as banking, business or teaching where your MA will be respected as a postgraduate qualification.
You may also want to consider further research after you graduate. Political Research graduates specialising in politics research find that the research skills the degree fosters are invaluable. They now occupy posts as lecturers, as research associates and as research assistants.
Students taking postgraduate degrees offered by Politics and International Relations at Leicester have gone into careers in the civil service, business, the law, the police, banking, journalism, management consultancy, librarianship and teaching. Others have gone on to doctoral research.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Course structure
Semester 1
Semester 1
Core module
Option modules
Choose three option modules from:
- The Holocaust
- Legal Responses to Global Injustice
- The State, Law and Religious Freedoms
- International Relations After the Cold War
- International Security
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Semester 2
Semester 2
Choose two option modules from:
- Global History: comparative and connected approaches
- After The Holocaust
- Global Cities: the View from Asia
- American Freedoms
- Feminist Perspectives in Law
- Freedom of Expression
- US Foreign Policy: Themes and Controversies
- Global Ethics in Practice
Plus your MA Dissertation.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
We conduct a range of specialist research, organised through three research clusters: Intelligence, Security and Strategic Studies; Parties, Participation and Public Opinion; and Global Ethics and Political Theory.
We host an exciting range of events, including research seminars with world-renowned speakers, ESRC sponsored seminar series and international conferences.
Our staff play leading roles in cutting-edge global research networks, actively advising and engaging with global policy communities, civil society, the media and public.
Our wide range of option modules provides you with the flexibility to tailor your course around your interests, and with the skills and knowledge to move into a variety of careers.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught by seminars. Throughout the programme, you will have access to a comprehensively resourced library and an established student support system. Each module lasts for one semester (11 weeks) and normally involves two hours of teaching per week. If you are studying full-time, you will complete four modules by the end of the second semester and, if you are progressing to the MA, you will submit your dissertation by the end of September.
You will be assessed through a combination of essays, seminar papers and (if you are completing the MA) your dissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words.
Key dates
September 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Human Rights and Global Ethics | Qualification MA | Duration 1 year full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Human Rights and Global Ethics | Qualification MA | Duration 2 years part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
The course has provided me an opportunity to improve my academic capabilities and represent my beliefs in a professional manner. The passion for international relations and politics that the staff display has convinced me that all my future goals are attainable.