soas university of london the degree of master of arts human rights law

Description

SOAS University of London (SOAS), a constituent college of the prestigious University of London (UOL), is a global leader in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, renowned for its critical, decolonial approach to scholarship. Founded in 1916 as the School of Oriental Studies, SOAS became part of the UOL in 1917 and has since grown into a vibrant hub for interdisciplinary learning, serving over 5,000 students from 130+ countries. Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, central London, SOAS ranks 6th globally for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2025), 8th in the UK for Anthropology, and is celebrated for its 93% research output rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” (REF 2021). The Master of Arts (MA) in Human Rights Law, offered through the School of Law, Gender and Media, is a specialized postgraduate program that blends legal theory with socio-legal perspectives on global justice, equipping graduates with a coveted UOL degree certificate or diploma. This program prepares students for impactful careers in international law, advocacy, NGOs, and policy, addressing pressing issues like refugee rights, gender justice, and environmental law with a unique focus on non-Western legal systems.

A Legacy of Global Justice and Decolonial Scholarship

SOAS’s mission to challenge Eurocentric frameworks has made it a pioneer in human rights law, emphasizing voices from the Global South. The School of Law, ranked top 10 in the UK by The Guardian 2025, leverages SOAS’s expertise in African, Asian, and Middle Eastern legal traditions to reframe human rights discourse. Faculty include luminaries like Professor Lynn Welchman, an expert in Islamic law and gender, and alumni include UN officials, Amnesty International advocates, and barristers like Amal Clooney. With partnerships across institutions like the UN and regional courts in Africa, SOAS fosters a dynamic learning environment through seminars, fieldwork, and access to UOL resources like Senate House Library. The MA Human Rights Law diploma embodies this legacy, recognized globally for its critical approach to universal rights, anti-colonial advocacy, and practical application in international tribunals and grassroots movements.

Diverse Degree Programs and Diplomas

SOAS offers a robust portfolio of postgraduate programs, with the MA in Human Rights Law as a flagship offering for those passionate about global justice. This one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) program comprises 180 UK credits at Level 7, delivered through seminars, workshops, and a 10,000-word dissertation. It combines core legal training with electives on migration, gender, and indigenous rights, culminating in a UOL degree certificate. Key highlights include:

• Core Structure (MA Human Rights Law): Mandatory modules include International Human Rights Law (covering treaties like the ICCPR and ECHR), Gender, Sexuality and Law, and Research Methods in Law. The dissertation, tailored to student interests (e.g., climate justice or transitional justice), is supported by expert supervision. Electives explore Islamic Law, Law and Society in Africa, Human Rights of Women, or Law and Postcolonial Theory, ensuring a transnational perspective. Compulsory elements emphasize legal research, critical analysis, and advocacy skills, with optional language study (e.g., Arabic, Swahili) to enhance regional expertise.
• Admission Requirements: A 2:1 bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, e.g., US GPA 3.3) in law, social sciences, or related fields; professional experience considered for non-standard applicants. English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall, no subscore below 6.0, or TOEFL 95) is required. Applicants submit a personal statement and references via SOAS’s online portal (2026 entry deadline: June 2026). The program welcomes diverse backgrounds, with 60%+ international students.
• Variants and Pathways: Related programs include LLM Human Rights, Conflict and Justice, MA International Law, or MA Gender Studies and Law. Shorter Postgraduate Certificates (60 credits) or Postgraduate Diplomas (120 credits) in Human Rights Law provide flexible entry points, stackable toward the full MA. Dual degrees with partners like the University of Tokyo offer global credentials. Open-option modules allow cross-disciplinary study in anthropology or development.

Fees for 2025/26 are approximately £15,130 (UK) or £25,740 (international), with scholarships like the SOAS Research Studentships (£17,000 stipend) and Aziz Foundation awards for underrepresented groups.

Why Pursue an MA in Human Rights Law at SOAS University of London?

Enrolling in the SOAS MA in Human Rights Law immerses you in a diverse, activist-oriented community with small seminars (average 15 students) and access to London’s legal hub, including internships at organizations like Human Rights Watch or the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. With 93% graduate employability within six months (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024), alumni secure roles as legal advisors, policy analysts, or NGO advocates, with starting salaries averaging £35,000–£50,000 in the UK and higher in international markets. SOAS’s Centre for Human Rights Law hosts events like the 2025 Global Justice Symposium, connecting students with practitioners. Affordable funding, including 10% alumni discounts and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, enhances accessibility. The program’s focus on decolonial perspectives and non-Western legal systems—paired with UOL’s global prestige—makes the MA diploma a unique asset for careers in international tribunals, advocacy, or academia.

In summary, the SOAS University of London Master of Arts in Human Rights Law is a transformative degree certificate that redefines global justice through critical scholarship and practice. For those committed to human rights advocacy, SOAS delivers unmatched expertise and impact. Explore programs at soas.ac.uk to pursue your elite diploma.