E.MA: your next Master's degree

What

The European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (E.MA) - organised by the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) - is:

  • An intensive one-year course aimed at educating 90 professionals annually in the field of human rights and democratisation
  • An action- and policy-oriented approach to learning that combines legal, political, historical, anthropological, and philosophical perspectives with skills building activities
  • An in-depth study of the following areas: Human Rights Institutions, Mechanisms and Standards; Human Rights in Context: History, Philosophy, Religion and Anthropology of Human Rights; Democratisation; Human Rights and Globalisation; Human Rights and Security
  • A week long field trip in a post-conflict country
  • Specialised supervised research for the Master’s thesis in one of the 41 participating universities
  • A Joint Degree conferred by prestigious European universities
  • The foundation for a successful career in national, international, governmental, inter- and non-governmental organizations, as well as academic institutions dealing with human rights and democratisation

Who

E.MA is a unique learning and human experience shaped by:

  • 41 participating universities from all member states of the European Union
  • A prestigious faculty composed of leading academics, officials of international organisations (including the European Union, the United Nations and the Council of Europe) and renowned experts and practitioners of national and international NGOs
  • An international, multicultural and diverse student body with a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, experiences and motivations
  • An Advisory Board composed of representatives of prominent organisations such as the EU, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNESCO, Council of Europe, OSCE, European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), Human Rights Watch, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Committee of Jurists, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, No Peace without Justice, Terre des Hommes

Why

Below are 10 reasons why people choose E.MA:

  • Interdisciplinary nature of programme compared with more traditional approach of other universities
  • 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
  • A week-long 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 do internships and fellowships in leading human rights organisations
  • Ties with EU institutions and links with international governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations for a regional and at the same time global experience
  • Extensive worldwide E.MAlumni Association for contacts, job opportunities, career development, projects, research
  • Excellent value for money
  • A unique human experience during which all those involved (students, faculty and resident staff) develop long-term bonds and networks with each other

When

The E.MA academic year is divided into two semesters:

  • First Semester: September to January
  • Second Semester: February to July 

The thesis defence and awarding of diplomas take place in Venice in September.

Where

E.MA is both a residential and an exchange programme:

After graduation E.MAlumni can be found worldwide in key international human rights organisations and academic institutions, but also in field missions or back home working for their own Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Development Aid agencies or national NGOs.