MA Human Rights - Political Science (Standard Route)

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Manchester

Program Overview

The MA Human Rights – Political Science (Standard Route) at the University of Manchester offers an in-depth understanding of how human rights operate within global and domestic political systems. It suits students who want to critically examine power, justice, and governance while preparing for careers in policy, advocacy, international organisations, or academic research.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 (Full-time Master’s Programme)
In the early part of the programme, students build strong theoretical and analytical foundations through core units such as Human Rights in World Politics and Research Design and Skills, developing the tools needed to assess human rights issues in political contexts. As the year progresses, optional units like Global Governance and Gender Inequality: Theory and Evidence allow students to focus on specific global challenges and policy debates. The programme concludes with a substantial Dissertation, where students conduct independent research on a human rights topic of their choice under expert supervision.

Focus areas

Human rights theory, global politics, international governance, inequality and justice, research methods, policy analysis

Learning outcomes

Graduates gain advanced critical thinking and research skills, a deep understanding of human rights within political systems, and the ability to analyse and respond to complex global challenges in professional and academic settings.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The programme is delivered by the School of Social Sciences at the University of Manchester, a highly regarded institution for Politics and International Studies in the UK.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Manchester is consistently ranked among the most targeted UK universities by leading graduate employers, reflecting strong employability outcomes across public policy, NGOs, international organisations, and research roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MA Human Rights – Political Science programme at the University of Manchester is designed to help you turn theory into practical insight through research-led teaching and active participation. You will develop real-world skills through seminars, collaborative discussions, independent research, and close academic supervision, all supported by excellent university facilities and specialist resources. As you move through the course, experiential learning is embedded into your academic journey in the following ways:

Interactive seminars and structured group discussions that focus on real political and human rights challenges, helping you build strong analytical, presentation, and teamwork skills
Research-focused learning guided by experienced academics in the Politics discipline, preparing you for advanced independent work and your final dissertation
Access to the University of Manchester Library, one of the largest academic libraries in the UK, offering extensive digital and print collections in politics, law, and human rights
Dedicated postgraduate research skills training through library and academic support services, including academic writing, referencing, and information literacy
Modern School of Social Sciences study spaces that support independent study, collaborative work, academic events, and guest lectures connected to global political and human rights issues

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates emerge with specialist knowledge and transferable skills suitable for roles in NGOs, government, international organisations, journalism, policy and political analysis, and social research. The university supports progression to PhD studies via the ESRC NWSSDTP 1+3 pathway, enabling a seamless move from master’s study to doctoral research.

- University services to help employment: The University of Manchester has its own dedicated, award-winning Careers Service offering tailored careers support, practice interviews, CV and application support, job listings for Manchester students, and access to Careers Service during your course and for two years after graduation.
- University industry partnerships: The programme is aligned with the ESRC NWSSDTP 1+3 fully-funded pathway for postgraduate research.
- Graduation outcomes: Graduates pursue roles across NGOs and human rights organisations, policy and advocacy, government and international institutions, journalism, think tanks, and academia, with strong transferable skills in research design, analytical thinking and cross-cultural communication.
- Further Academic Progression: Further Academic Progression: Students can continue their studies at PhD level through the NWSSDTP 1+3 route, or pursue advanced research or academic roles in human rights, international politics or related fields.