human rights phd padova

Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance

In simple words:.

Human rights are rights that all people have, regardless of skin color, gender, country, culture, language, faith, or other status. These rights are available to each person, without exception.

Here is a list of issues in human rights:

• Human trafficking
• Refugee relocation
• Worker rights
• Gender equality
• and so much more...

Joint Ph.D Program

The joint Ph.D. degree is a three-year program organized by the University of Padova and maintained by Western Sydney University (Australia), Zagreb University, Faculty of Law (Croatia), Panteion University - Athens (Greece), and University of Nicosia (Cyprus) (Italy).

Western Sydney University

Zagreb University

University of Nicosia

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Why pursue further education.

There are several reasons that someone should get a Ph.D, but the decision is ultimately to go get the degree if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. One great advantage is that you get to take advantage of the opportunity to conduct research. Another important takeaway is that a person becomes an expert in a specific field. Expert-level knowledge is achieved through further education. One such example can be seen with lawyers. Going further, a field of law may be family law such as those at Sterling Lawyers .

Another great reason to pursue further education is to broaden career opportunities. With today's job market being so competitive, a Ph.D, Masters, etc. will allow a person to stand apart from the competition and get the competitive advantage.

What Are the Graduate School Requirements?

One of the biggest requirements that graduate schools look at are the official transcripts . These will be from all the undergraduate institutions that a person attended. The GPA illustrates a long term commitment to learning.

The next item that you will need is a standardized test score . The most common test is called the "GRE." It is important to note that some programs do not require a standardized test.

Th third item would be a résumé as this will provide a summary of your education, job history, research, and more.

Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance (PhD, 3 Years or 6 Semesters) – Joint Degree with the University of Padova, the University of Zagreb, the University of Western Sydney, and Panteion University, Athens

Request information, learning outcomes, academic path, semester breakdown, adjunct faculty, profile of the programme.

The Joint Doctorate (PhD) in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance is an existing three-year, interdisciplinary, joint academic programme managed by the University of Padova in Italy, the University of Zagreb in Croatia, Western Sydney University in Australia and Panteion University, Athens in Greece. The joint degree in its current form results in a  Dottorato di Ricerca  in Italy, a  Doktorat iz društvenih znanosti  in Croatia, a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in Australia, and a  Didactoriko Diploma  in Greece. All information pertaining to the degree can be found on its website:  https://www.humanrights-jointphd.org/  and the website of the Human Rights Centre of the coordinating institution, the University of Padova:  https://unipd-centrodirittiumani.it/en/attivita/Human-Rights-Society-and-Multi-level-Governance/981 .

The main aspects of the scientific design of the joint doctoral programme, and its added value in relation to the existing European and national courses in the concerned countries are the following:

• The doctorate will produce researchers with a multi/interdisciplinary profile. The doctorate programme is assumed to organize teaching, research and training in the area of human rights studies, covering the legal, political, social, philosophical and economic approaches and methodologies in different geographical areas. Law, politics, economics and sociology are the main disciplines involved. Both theoretical dimensions and practical analyses will be given relevance in the overall approach to be embraced.
• The doctoral programme shall address the multi-level dimensions of human rights implementation policies. Focusing on the most innovative and critical developments, research will delve into the areas of human rights’ concern and critically assess the effectiveness, impact, and consistency of doctrines and practices.
• The doctoral programme will be organized around the fundamental dimensions of contemporary multi-level governance in light of the subsidiarity principle. Accordingly, the focus will be on: the global dimension (the UN and UN-family legal frameworks, institutions, policies and practices); the European regional context and its global impact as well as other regional systems; the national-level dimension with the possibility of a comparative approach; and, the local-level community actors and dynamics (cities, regions, transboundary territories). Both institutions and private actors’ roles will be addressed, such as transnational civil society, social movements, religious and cultural groups, NGOs, corporate companies.
• Study and research topics will reflect the subjects addressed in the international and regional human rights legal instruments as well as in the practice that accompanies their implementation (e.g. cultural/religious pluralism and universality of human rights; evolution of regional systems of protection of human rights; justiciability of social rights as human rights: models for the fulfillment of social rights; the impact of relocation of sovereignty on human rights affirmation and implementation, multi-level governance and human rights protection).
• The doctoral programme will develop students’ in-depth understanding, critical analysis, and application of current theoretical literature and research methodology to enable them to carry out their doctoral research project.
• The doctoral programme will enhance students’ research skills and facilitate the development of expertise relevant to their research specialization area.
• The doctoral programme will educate students in how to disseminate research findings, conclusions and suggestions, for example through publishing in academic journals and/or presenting their work in academic conferences and seminars.

Career Prospects

Τhe programme aims to offer the highest level of scientific knowledge in the field and to prepare students for a career in tertiary education and scientific research. Students are expected to conduct state-of-the-art research that advances original and practically applicable solutions to scientific problems. Graduates of the program will be able to demonstrate aptitude in the preparation, execution and management of an independent research study, and to disseminate their findings to the wider academic community through publishing their work in academic journals and/or giving presentations in academic conferences and seminars.

There is no other program with a specific focus on human rights, society and multi-level governance in Cyprus, not only at the doctoral level but at any level of tertiary education. That will make the graduates of the programme uniquely qualified and possessing a competitive edge in an emerging academic discipline and environment. In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of the subject matter and the structure of the programme will develop skills and competencies that enhance graduates’ employability prospects; not only is this combination of disciplinary approaches not offered in a similar fashion at the national level but – in fact – such programs are relatively rare both at the regional and at the international level.

At the same time, the scientific design of the programme affords graduates with employability prospects beyond academia. Both in terms of the interdisciplinary nature of the program as well its multidimensional focus at different levels of analysis on different actors and institutions will render graduates more employable by the private sector, civil society organisations, regional and international organisations.

• Academic Qualifications: An accredited Bachelor’s degree in Law, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Public Administration or a related field (LLB, BA, BSc or equivalent) in addition to an accredited Master’s degree in Law, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Public Administration or a related field (LLM, MA, MSc or equivalent). Copies of degrees awarded must be submitted as part of a complete application package.
• Application form: Applicants must submit an application form for admission and enrolment to the programme. The application form requests general information about the applicant, their qualifications, and relevant experience.
• Curriculum vitae: a complete CV specifying all academic and professional background and activities.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must obtain two recommendation letters from individuals who have known the applicant in an educational and/or professional environment. At least one of the recommendation letters must be from an academic institution where the applicant has studied previously.
• English Language Proficiency: TOEFL (paper-based test 600, computer-based test 250, internet based test 100) or IELTS 6.5. For students who graduated from an English-speaking University, English language is not a requirement.
• Previous theses/dissertations and any published work of academic relevance (if any).
• Initial Research Proposal: An initial proposal (1,500 – 3,000 words) outlining the research topic, aims and objectives, research questions and proposed research methodology.
• Statement of Purpose: Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive outline highlighting their academic and individual competencies and state why they believe they are suitable for admission to the Programme, as well as their reflections regarding the expectations and value of the Programme for their personal advancement and career development.
• Individual Interviews: The Department Doctoral Programme Committee will hold an individual interview of the applicant prior to deciding. The Department Doctoral Programme Committee, having examined the applicant’s suitability against the entry criteria, having reviewed the application and interviewed the applicant, will determine his or her suitability and the appropriateness of their initial proposal.
• In view of the limited number of applicants to be admitted to the programme, the Department Doctoral Programme Committee will decide on the basis of merit and by evaluating specific criteria who are the most suitable candidates to be admitted to the programme. The Committee will exercise its judgment, taking into account the overall quality, merit and feasibleness of the research proposal, the quality of the prior research work of the candidate and the candidate’s academic and other relevant qualifications as included in the curriculum vitae and the applicant’s replies and performance during the individual interview.
• In assessing the research proposal, the Committee will also examine the extent to which it corresponds with the objectives of the PhD programme as described in Annex 1 of the Joint PhD Agreement, i.e. producing researchers with a multi/interdisciplinary profile, mainly in the fields of law, politics, economics and sociology, where both theoretical dimensions and empirical analyses are given relevance in the overall approach to be embraced. The proposal should aim to address the multi-level dimensions of human rights implementation policies, focusing on the most innovative and critical developments, so as to critically assess the effectiveness and consistency of doctrines and practices and their impact. Focus should be on the global dimension; the European regional context as well as other regional systems; the nation-wide dimensions, preferably with a comparative approach; or the local community actors and dynamics. Institutions and private actors’ roles can be addressed. The proposal should aim to reflect the subjects addressed in the human rights instruments, as well as the practice that comes along with their implementation.
• The decision to admit the selected students to the programme must be approved by the Academic Board of the programme.

Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, mid-terms, projects.

Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.

The student must complete 180 ECTS and all programme requirements.

A minimum cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.0 is required. Thus, although a ‘D-‘ is a PASS grade, in order to achieve a CPA of 2.0 an average grade of ‘C’ is required.

Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

• Be specifically trained in case-analysis, project-setting and problem-solving contexts.
• Acquire research skills and analytical competences to address the socio-political challenges posed by the processes of implementation and contextualization of human rights standards and policies.
• Acquire the competence necessary to analyze and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of public policies carried out by intergovernmental, state and sub-state entities, including the EU institutions and organs, as well as the role of non-state actors, including corporate organizations, civil society organizations, communities, human rights activists’ networks.
• Possess the competences and skills required for academic careers, as well as to advise and assist public and private institutions active in the legal and socio-political fields, in education, communication and cultural mediation in implementing human rights programmes.
• Comprehend basic principles of research design, including an understanding of how to conceptualize legal research, formulate researchable problems, and construct and test hypotheses by applying a range of research methods and tools.
• Be able to manage successfully all the stages of a research project, including designing, conducting and disseminating research in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the standard principles of research ethics.
• Understand and appreciate the significance of alternative epistemological positions that provide the context for theory construction, research design and the selection of appropriate analysis techniques.
• Understand and apply the concepts of generalizability, validity, reliability and replicability and identify potential biases in the interpretation of research findings.
• Develop a sound understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of a range of research methodologies and data collection methods.
• Be in a position to illustrate and critically evaluate research methods used in legal enquiry and demonstrate aptitude in the preparation, execution and management of an independent research study.
• Develop skills in the dissemination of findings to the wider academic community, initially through writing-up their Thesis and then through publishing their work in academic journals and/or giving presentations in academic conferences and seminars.

Section: A – Courses

Dr Odysseas Christou

Assistant Professor School of Law Department of Law

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Professor Nestor Courakis

Professor School of Law Department of Law

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Professor Achilles Emilianides

Dean of the School of Law Professor School of Law Department of Law Member of the Senate

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Dr Christina Ioannou

Associate Dean Associate Professor School of Law Department of Politics and Governance

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Dr Giorgos Kentas

Associate Professor School of Law Department of Politics and Governance

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Dr Michalis Kontos

Assistant Professor School of Law Department of Politics and Governance Member of the Senate

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Dr Christos Papastylianos

Head of Department Associate Professor School of Law Department of Law

Dr Costas Stratilatis

Associate Professor School of Law Department of Law

• Engomis Business Center - School of Law, 209f

Professor Andreas Theophanous

Head of Department Professor School of Law Department of Politics and Governance

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What’s new in human rights doctoral research

This edited book collects critical state-of-the-art analyses of a series of relevant topics for human rights research, prepared by doctoral students enrolled in the joint Ph.D.

This edited book collects critical state-of-the-art analyses of a series of relevant topics for human rights research, prepared by doctoral students enrolled in the joint Ph.D. programme in “Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance”. While keeping their strong attention on the prospective implications of their respective research projects in terms of practical human rights enjoyment, each of these students also brings to the broader debate the specific perspectives and contributions of different disciplinary backgrounds and approaches to human rights research: from law, international relations and development studies, to political science, international relations, sociology and pedagogy. In this book, doctoral students develop and put to the test their analytical and critical skills about human rights topics, reflect on the advantages and limits of different disciplinary approaches to answer human rights research questions. While topics are largely different from one another in terms of general scope, unit of analysis, practical relevance and geographical area, all the work published in this book unquestionably shares a commitment to put research at the service of an improved state of health for universal human rights.

Peace Human Rights Governance ISSN 2532-3474

Peace Human Rights Governance (PHRG) is the peer-reviewed academic journal of the University of Padova Human Rights Centre 'Antonio Papisca'. PHRG is the new series of Pace Diritti Umani – Peace Human Rights (2003-2013, Marsilio Publishing, Venice). The journal is six-monthly and completely open access .

PHRG constitutes a new scientific resource within the increasing and multi-faceted global human rights studies community that aims to present original, theoretical, methodological and empirical contributions to current human rights and international relations issues while actively favouring the development of a solid multi- and inter-disciplinary and multi-level approach to peace and human rights research and dissemination.

The main topics of PHRG include, but are not limited to, the relation of human rights and subsidiarity with world order and governance issues, international law,  international politics and organisation, international and cosmopolitan democracy, national and European foreign policy, civil society transnational networking, religions and human rights, city diplomacy, local policies and services, global citizenship, public policy, intercultural dialogue, women’s human rights, the human right to peace, conflict transformation/conflict resolution, education processes, and trafficking of human beings.

Online First Articles

• Malayna Raftopoulos, Damien Short In the Defence of Place: Environmental Justice and the Anti-Fracking Movement in Argentina Pag. 1-27
• Giacomo Buoncompagni Global Issues and Binary Visions of Contemporaneity. Media and Security, Migration and Political Violence: What Holds them Together? Pag. 1-20
• Paola Falcomer, Alberto Lanzavecchia Microfinance for women’s empowerment: evidence from Apeiron’s project Equal Steps Pag. 1-29
• Baldassare Pastore Vulnerability, Human Rights, Adjudication Pag. 1-17
• Anna Adamska-Gallant Vulnerable Witnesses in Practice of International Courts – Definition and Trauma as the Key Risk Factor Pag. 1-22

• English ‎(en)‎ English ‎(en)‎ Italiano ‎(it)‎

Centro di Ateneo per i Diritti Umani | Human Rights Centre "Antonio Papisca"

Diritti umani, piattaforma moodle del centro di ateneo per i diritti umani.

Available courses

Padova model upr 2023, padova model upr 2022, padova model upr 2021, international joint ph.d programme "human rights, society, and multi-level governance", padova model upr 2020, padova model upr 2019, consiglio direttivo, summer school "normativity and reality of human rights" (2019).

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Human rights and multi-level governance

Class: LM-52 - International relations

Call for Applications (international students) - A.Y. 2024/25

• 2 November 2023 - 2 February 2024 

A course entirely delivered in English, aimed at providing the skills and tools to analyse, evaluate and manage the political, social and economic phenomena of our time and their impact. Taking this course will not just result in acquiring basic knowledge on human rights, children's rights, protection of refugee rights or microfinance for social change, but also being part of an international environment in which research and internship will be key experiences, also thanks to study trips. You may also be eligible to receive a double degree from the Polish University of Wroclaw or the Catholic universities of Lyon and Grenoble Alpes. After graduation, you may work in several fields, ranging from a local PA to international missions, from diplomacy to international organisations.

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Characteristics and Objectives: The MA programme in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance is a contribution to developing a universal culture of human rights, as highlighted by UNESCO and the United Nations. Accordingly, it has a strong policy- and action-oriented approach. This master's degree is in full continuity with previous post-graduate programmes in human rights taught in Italian, which the University of Padua has been delivering since 1988. The MA aims to develop ad-hoc knowledge and skills to promote and fulfill human rights within the broader context of legal and political processes and multi-level policies. Human rights law, multi-level governance framework, and the concepts of 'human development' and 'human security' are the paradigms of reference throughout the course. The multi-level approach makes it possible to combine international trends analysis and an in-depth study of local policies. The course's research and lecturing activities reflect the transnational and transcultural dimensions of human rights studies. Courses, conducted in English, are in seminar form and promote the active participation of students in class. Internships in qualified agencies and supervised research are encouraged. The programme includes special modules with the participation of practitioners from European and international organizations and academic institutions. The course encourages study experiences abroad financed under student mobility programmes and bilateral agreements. Up to five students of the course can pursue a double degree in International Relations by spending the second year of the Master's Degree at the Polish University of Wroclaw or at Lyon-Catholic University / Grenoble Alpes. The course promotes extra-curricular education opportunities in cooperation with the Human Rights Centre of Padova University and other non-academic institutions and bodies. Such initiatives include a study trip to the United Nations and European Human Rights bodies. The Programme assists students in finding suitable internship opportunities with qualified governmental and non-governmental institutions, in Italy and abroad. Occupational Opportunities: The MA is aimed at training specialized operators for qualified positions in the field of multi-level governance connected to the implementation of human rights. Job positions suitable for MA graduates include, among others: human rights officer in international organizations and agencies, in the diplomatic service, and in the local and national public sector; officer in ombudsperson and national institutions for human rights structures; expert staff in electoral observation and human rights monitoring missions; program and field officer of humanitarian aid, democratic institution-building, and technical assistance units; expert staff in any governmental or non-governmental structure implementing public policies on human rights, equal opportunities, non-discrimination, women's and persons with disabilities' rights; project manager of non-governmental organizations' specialized units; expert staff of intercultural mediation agencies; officer in social and consumers' rights advocacy agencies; expert staff of ethical committees; expert personnel of social responsibility units and international relations departments of corporate organizations; journalist and expert in the media sector; staff in research and planning structures of trade unions, political parties, non-profit organizations. Contacts and Information: E-mail: [email protected]

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6 Fully-Funded PhD Programs in Human Rights

Many universities are aware that qualified doctoral students cannot afford to study and conduct their own research for three or four years without receiving any financial support. For this reason, more and more universities have created fully funded opportunities for a Ph.D. study, either allocating their own funding or collaborating with an external partner such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), for example. The scholarships awarded typically cover not only the student’s tuition costs but also provide the student with a stipend to help towards their living costs. Here are six fully-funded Ph.D. programs in Human Rights offered each year by European universities.

University of Essex, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The University of Essex is one of the most prestigious institutions in the UK when it comes to teaching Human Rights. Its Human Rights Centre has over 80 faculty members who explore human rights from a variety of academic disciplines, including Law, Philosophy, and Sociology.

The Centre has established thirty research clusters, such as Armed conflict, Transitional justice, and Trafficking and human rights. Prospective candidates are encouraged to write a research proposal that broadly falls under one of these categories to ensure that they can have appropriate supervision at Essex.

As a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Essex, students will have many opportunities to learn, network, and share their work. For example, the University is a part of the Human Rights Ph.D. Triangle platform where Ph.D. candidates from the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics and the Essex Human Rights Centre present and discuss their research.

Ph.D. studies in Human Rights at Essex can be fully funded through studentships offered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Consortium of Arts and Humanities South-East England (CHASE).  These studentships cover the cost of tuition and include a living costs stipend.  CHASE Doctoral Studentships are currently available only to home and EU students. To apply, students should first hold an offer from the University to conduct their Ph.D. study. Next, candidates have to submit an outline of their research proposal, two references, as well as a summary of their education, training, and professional experience. Selected candidates are invited for an interview with their school or department.

Occasionally, the Human Rights Centre advertises theme-specific Ph.D. projects which are funded by doctoral studentships and open for both domestic and international candidates. To stay updated, visit this webpage .

University of Sussex, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The Human Rights Ph.D. program at the University of Sussex is taught by faculty members from several different departments including Law, Anthropology, and Philosophy. Academic supervisors and Ph.D. candidates work together to explore the relationships and roles of humans in processes such as poverty, violence, identity, and globalization. Unlike most other doctoral programs, this course takes four years to complete. During their studies, Ph.D. candidates are invited to join one of the many research centers or projects, and actively participate in workshops and seminars across departments.

To be eligible, candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a subject which is of relevance to their research interests. Furthermore, all candidates should provide a proposal for a research project they wish to conduct at Sussex and suggest faculty members who could be their potential supervisors. The proposal should be up to five pages long and has to clearly explain primary research questions and the ambition of the project.

Human Rights Ph.D. students at the University of Sussex can fund their doctoral students via University or external funding. When it comes to the University funding, the prestigious Chancellor’s International Research Scholarship is given to eleven Ph.D. students across faculties. Only overseas students can apply for this fully-funded scholarship. Furthermore, home and EU students are also eligible for an ESRC scholarship which would cover their tuition costs and provide them with a living stipend.

Lund University, Sweden – Doctoral Studies in Human Rights Studies

Lund University’s doctoral program in Human Rights is the only such program in Sweden. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach and incorporates the study of History, Law, Philosophy and Political Science into its unique examination of Human Rights. The key objective of the program is to better understand the various political and legal contexts human rights ideas develop and are applied in. Students and faculty members do research on a variety of topics, including citizenship and nationality, women’s rights, and state and non-state agency.

The program lasts for four years and students need to fulfill 240 academic credits during this period. This means that, besides writing their dissertation, students also have to attend several compulsory and elective courses such as Human Rights as a Research Area and Human Rights as a Legal Phenomenon.

The eligibility requirements for admission include having a master’s or advanced degree. Prospective candidates should have completed at least two years of study in a field that is relevant to Human Rights and has given the student a solid background to conduct their planned research. Furthermore, candidates are also asked to have previously written a master’s thesis, worth at least 15 academic credits, on a human rights-related topic.

The University periodically advertises doctoral student vacancies in Human Rights, typically in January or February. The post will also contain instructions on applying and will list any specific eligibility criteria. All successful candidates are fully funded by the University.

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy – Ph.D. in Human Rights and Global Politics: Legal, Philosophical and Economic Challenges

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa runs an international, interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Human Rights and Global Politics, with a focus on legal, philosophical and economic challenges. The program lasts for three years and is entirely administered in English. The faculty and Ph.D. candidates adopt a strong sense of interdisciplinarity in research and explore intersections among the key research areas. The focus is on four different research areas – namely, Agriculture, food and agri-environmental law, Public international law, Political economy, and Political philosophy, and how they can be intertwined.

Ph.D. students attending this program take mandatory courses in addition to conducting research activities. More specifically, all students follow an issue-related course based on the research area they are writing their thesis in. Furthermore, students have an opportunity to spend a minimum of six months abroad doing research.

Prospective students must submit a research proposal which outlines a project that concerns at least two research areas. According to their proposed project, successful candidates will be assigned a supervisor with whom they are expected to meet on a regular basis.

The School publishes calls for applications once a year and usually accepts applications until late spring. All admitted students are entitled to a fully-funded place in the program, and one or more places are typically reserved for students from outside the European Union. To stay updated with the calls for admission, visit the program’s website .

Ph.D. in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance – Multiple Universities

Four universities in Europe – the University of Padova in Italy, the University of Zagreb in Croatia, Panteion University in Greece and the University of Nicosia in Cyprus – together with Western Sydney University in Australia administer a unique, joint Ph.D. program in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance. The program, which lasts for three years, incorporates legal, political, economic and philosophical approaches to analyzing Human Rights in a variety of geographical areas. The fundamental elements of the current multi-level governance system are in focus, therefore, international and regional human rights systems are continuously examined over the course of this program.

As a part of the curriculum, admitted students will have to do research, an internship and/or take courses at one or more partner universities, spending at least one semester away from their home university. The program is held in English across all institutions. Faculty members interested in supervising Ph.D. students offer a list of topics prospective students are invited to explore and propose a research project on. So far, these have included exploring issues relating to globalization, social justice, the external relations of the EU, and cultural pluralism.

To apply, students must demonstrate a proof of a Master’s degree and submit their academic transcripts. Furthermore, the Admissions Committee will be examining candidates’ CVs, proof of English language proficiency and, most importantly, their proposed research projects. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

Each year, some of these universities open several Ph.D. vacancies with one or more fully-funded scholarships. More information about the on-going applications can be found on the website of the administering institution, which in this case is the University of Padova.

Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York administers an interdisciplinary doctoral program in Human Rights which has gathered qualified students from all over the world. The Centre is broadly interested in admitting candidates who work on topics such as human rights defenders, refugee law and policy, transitional justice, and development.

The program is run jointly by the Department of Politics and the York Law School, therefore, students could potentially seek inter-departmental supervision. Furthermore, Ph.D. students can also join one of the inter-departmental research groups like Development and Conflict Working Group. They actively contribute to fostering the research environment at the Centre by organizing and attending lectures, workshops, and conferences, as well as writing for blogs and journals.

In the first year of their doctoral study, students are trained on different research methods and have the possibility to audit or enroll any postgraduate courses. The rest of the student’s time spent at the University of York is dedicated to completing the doctoral dissertation.

To apply, all candidates must submit an online application in which they will be asked to choose between Ph.D. in Politics and Ph.D. in Law, depending on their preferences and qualifications. The application process also requires candidates to put forward a doctoral dissertation proposal.

Admitted students have a number of funding opportunities. These include funding coming directly from the University as well as ESRC scholarships awarded to home and EU students. In addition, the University of York is a part of the White Rose College of the Arts and Humanities (WRoCAH) doctoral training partnership with the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, through which fully-funded AHRC studentships are allocated. More information about funding is available here.

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Human Rights Careers (HRC) provides information about online courses, jobs, paid internships, masters degrees, scholarships and other opportunities in the human rights sector and related areas.

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MA Degree Programme in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance (HRG)

2-year, 120 ects credits.

Applications for Academic Year 2024/2025: 1st Call: 2 November 2023 - 2 February 2024 Information and Call for application here .

The MA Degree Programme Human Rights and Multi-level Governance (HRG) aims at developing the competencies to work in complex local and international contexts , in accordance with the universal human rights paradigm and based on social commitment.

Prospective students must possess a three-year BA degree (180 ECTS credits) in a field connected with the Master’s curriculum, with good grades.

Partial and full scholarships  are available, as specified in the annual call for applications.

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Educational offer (A.Y. 2023/2024) https://en.didattica.unipd.it/off/2022/LM/EP/EP1980

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Educational offer (A.Y. 2021/2022) https://en.didattica.unipd.it/off/2021/LM/EP/EP1980 

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