European master’s programme at European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation

The European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA) is organised by the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC); it was created with the support of the European Union and 41 participating universities from all the EU member states.

EMA is an intensive one-year course aimed at educating 90 professionals annually in the field of human rights and democratisation.

The Master’s Degree is also an action and policy-oriented approach to learning that combines legal, political, historical, anthropological, and philosophical perspectives with skill-building activities, and in-depth study of the following areas: Human Rights Institutions, Mechanisms and Standards; Human Rights in Context: Historical, Philosophical, Religious and Anthropological Perspectives; Globalisation, Development and Human Rights; Building and Protecting Democracy; Human Rights, Peace and Security. 

EMA provides the foundation for a successful career in national, international, governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as academic institutions dealing with human rights and democratisation.

EMA is both a residential and an exchange programme. The first semester from September 2020 to January 2021 is organised at EIUC premises in Venice and the second semester from February to July 2021 takes place in one of the 41 participating universities within the member states of the European Union. 

After graduation EMAlumni can be found worldwide in key international human rights organisations and academic institutions, but also in field missions or in their home country working for their Ministries of Foreign Affairs, development cooperation agencies, or national NGOs. 

EMA is one of seven Regional Master’s Programmes organised by the Global Campus of Human Rights - a unique network of more than one hundred universities around the world seeking to advance human rights and democracy through regional and global cooperation for education and research.

ASSESSMENT AND DEGREE

First semester assessment is made on the basis of written and oral assignments and exams. Only successful students are allowed to proceed to second semester courses. During the second semester, students will attend further specialised courses the assessment of which will be based
on the practices of the hosting universities.

After successfully passing exams and completing a Master’s thesis, students will be awarded "European Master's Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation" jointly conferred by those Universities of the EIUC/EMA network that have ratified the Joint Degree Agreement.

These universities include:

• The Universities of Graz, Deusto (Bilbao), Padua, and Ca’ Foscari Venice issue the EMA diploma to students having accessed the EMA programme holding a university degree of 180 ECTS credits or recognised as equivalent thereto;
• The Universities of Graz, Deusto (Bilbao), Padua, Ca’ Foscari Venice, Bochum, Hamburg, and Ljubljana issue the EMA diploma to students having accessed the EMA programme with a university degree of at least 240 ECTS credits or recognised as equivalent thereto.

WHY CHOOSE THE EMA PROGRAMME

• Multidisciplinarity as opposed to single focus in traditional university departments;
• Range of high level academics, experts, officials from a variety of institutions and organisations, most of whom engage on a daily basis in human rights practice and thus are always abreast of the latest developments and debates;
• Combination of theory and practice to be operational as soon as the course is completed;
• Opportunity to see how the theory studied in the classroom ‘comes alive’ during a field trip to a post-conflict country;
• European mobility: first Venice, historically at the centre of a multicultural approach to international relations, and then one of the many prestigious universities and human rights centres participating in the programme;
• Possibility to undertake internships and fellowships in leading human rights organisations;
• Ties with EU institutions and links with governmental, inter-governmental and non- governmental organisations for a regional and global experience;
• Extensive worldwide EMAlumni Association for contacts, job opportunities, career development, projects, research;
• Excellent value for money;
• A unique social and professional experience during which all those involved (students, faculty and resident staff) develop long-term bonds and networks with each other.