MA Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies

The degree is available online and is fully supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), as well as study materials and help from academic staff. It allows you to study anywhere in the world and fit your studies around your other commitments.

Hear from current students and alumni about their experiences studying on the programme.

Study materials

You receive individual module subject guides, assessment activities and digitised readings via a fully searchable Online Library. The two primary texts for the core modules are books. These will be delivered to you in hard-copy and will be useful reference points throughout your studies.

For each module, you will have opportunities to network and collaborate with your fellow students and will receive feedback from your tutor through online discussion forums and stimulating assessment tasks. Supplementary information is provided via podcasts and videos from leading academics and a wide range of study skills guides to help you with your academic development.

You can also benefit from research materials created by the Refugee Law Initiative, such as its Working Papers Series and podcasts from public events.

Online support 

When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources: 

• The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Here, you can interact with tutors and other students through discussion forums, access subject guides, readings and study resources, and upload coursework and receive academic feedback.
• The Online Library. As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a fully searchable Online Library with a huge collection of journals, e-books and primary source materials. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require.  

Senate House Library  

• If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources.

Time commitment

This MA is designed to be studied over two to five years. Students wishing to complete the programme in two years can take the two core modules in the first year and four elective modules (two per session) in the second year, alongside the dissertation component.

Each module study session lasts 16 weeks and the dissertation component accounts for 12 weeks per year. We recommend that you study for 15-20 hours per week during this time.

Assessment

• Core modules: five online assessments known as E-tivities (30 per cent overall grade) and a final item of coursework (70 per cent overall grade).
• Elective modules: three E-tivities (30 per cent overall grade) and one coursework item of 3,000-4,000 words (70 per cent overall grade).

The dissertation is assessed in two parts: the research methods course and research proposal (15 per cent overall grade) and the dissertation thesis (85 per cent overall grade).

The University of London is the UK’s leading provider of digital and blended distance education internationally, with its reputation for academic excellence built upon the outstanding teaching traditions of the University’s federation members.

The School of Advanced Study unites eight specialist humanities and social science research Institutes at the University of London. It is the only institution of its kind in the United Kingdom, nationally funded to promote and facilitate research in the humanities and social sciences.

The Refugee Law Initiative (RLI) is a unique academic centre promoting interdisciplinary research, teaching and exchange on law, policy and practice in refugee and displacement contexts.

Established in 2010 at the School of Advanced Study of the University of London, the RLI works in the UK and internationally to promote research and facilitate practical impact in this field.

Academic leaders

David James Cantor is Professor of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, Director of the Refugee Law Initiative and a recognised specialist in the field. His research addresses protection and solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons in situations of armed conflict, disasters and criminal violence. He has a particular interest in the Americas region, where he has completed extensive fieldwork and served as Principal Advisor to UNHCR.

Sarah Singer is Professor of Refugee Law at the Refugee Law Initiative. She is an internationally recognised expert on criminality and asylum, and her contributions to the broader forced migration field include publications on European asylum law, humanitarian accountability, immigration detention and the protection of LGBT asylum seekers. She has led major collaborative interdisciplinary research projects, acted as expert commentator for various media outlets including BBC World News and is a recognised expert on postgraduate online education..

Nicholas Maple is a Lecturer in Refugee Studies at the Refugee Law Initiative. His growing body of research takes a multi-disciplinary approach to investigating issues related to displacement and mobility. This includes examining state responses to refugee movement, with a particular focus on urban displacement and encampment approaches in Africa. His publications are also interested in global migration and forced migration governance issues, public health, and the ethics and methodologies involved in forced migration studies.

What qualifications do you need?

You need an undergraduate degree (e.g. bachelor) that is comparable to a UK upper second class honours degree; in the social sciences, humanities, laws or other related subject areas. You can still apply without this, and we will consider each application on its merits.

English Language requirements

You need a high standard of English to study this programme. You will meet our language requirements if you have achieved the following within the past three years:

• (IELTS) International English Language Testing System - overall score of at least 7.0 with at least 6 in reading and writing.
• (TOEFL) iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language with an overall score of 95 or above, including a minimum of 24 attained on the reading and writing skills sub-tests and a minimum of 25 attained on the speaking sub-test and 22 attained on the listening sub-test.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (at grade C or above).
• Duolingo: must achieve an overall score of at least 130.

Tests from other providers will be considered on an individual basis. Even if you have not formally met these requirements, the University may still consider other evidence.

Computer requirements

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need to be able to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.

More about computer requirements.

The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2024-2025 session. On average, fees are subject to a three per cent year-on-year increase.

Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page. 

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Sales Tax

Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax.

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there are additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there are additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

Scholarships

• The Commonwealth Scholarship is open to nationals of member countries of the Commonwealth in Africa for the October 2024 session.
• The Jean-François Durieux Scholarship is open to new students living in the Middle East or Latin America for the October 2024 session
• The Thriplow Charitable Trust Bursary is open to new students based in the UK for the October 2024 session

Bursaries

• The UNHCR Bursary offers current UNHCR employees a 10 per cent bursary that can be applied against module fees for the degree.
• The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Bursary offers DRC employees a 10 per cent bursary that can be applied against module fees for the degree.
• The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Bursary offers NRC employees a 10 per cent bursary that can be applied against module fees for the degree.
• The Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance & Protection (PHAP) Bursary offers PHAP members a 10 per cent bursary that can be applied against module fees for the degree.

More on funding your study.

Can I get sponsored?

If you're employed, your employer may be willing to cover part/all of the programme fees if you can make a compelling case as to how this programme will boost your contribution to the workplace.

Our courses are ideal for employers because they get to retain you as an employee and benefit from your learning from the moment you begin.

How can I get sponsored by my employer?

You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.

More on how to pay your fees

This MA is designed for anyone who wishes to pursue careers in a range of professional contexts in the refugee, human rights or humanitarian fields. By combining your studies with your existing commitments, you will be able to maintain your career momentum.

Potential employers include international agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), governmental bodies and non-governmental organisations.

Graduates of the MA programme have previously gone on to work as a Protection Manager at the Danish Refugee Council; a Protection Officer at UNHCR; and Reporting Officer with the Africa Bureau at UNHCR.

What do employers think of our graduates?

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching institution.

You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.

More on the University of London Careers Service.

Tailored support for careers in the refugee and humanitarian fields is available through regular programme events, webinars and careers resources.