Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law and Society Fulda University of Applied Sciences

Courses are held in English.

Politics and society are increasingly being confronted with the demands for a human rights discourse that addresses the rising need for concretisation and compliance to the principles of freedom and equality at the local, national, European, and global level.
Properly addressing these needs requires social scientists with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the development of human rights and their codification, social science methodology, legal reasoning, and awareness of the varying regional and cultural frameworks for spelling out the importance of human rights.
Thus, the demand for specialists in this field is growing and requires graduates who are equipped with analytical skills and the empirical social research methods necessary for carrying out research in the field of human rights and for disseminating the research findings. The degree programme offers an interdisciplinary and social science-based curriculum that combines sociological, political, and legal studies.

Classes examine the historical and current institutionalisation of human rights in the areas of politics, law, and civil society. They provide training in empirical social research and take into account interculturalism, diversity, and the growing relevance of digital communication. In their second year, students can specialise in digital communication and human rights, business and human rights, or migration and human rights.

Studies start with an introduction week. Prior to this, the International Office offers another orientation week for international students.

We advise you to make sure that you can move to Fulda in time to make use of these offers.

15 June

Important note: Information on the result of the application process will be communicated around 20 July. International applicants who need a student visa for Germany can therefore request an appointment at the embassy in the days following 20 July.

The Master's programme "Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law and Society" (MAHRS) comprises four semesters (two years). During the first two semesters, students become familiar with the history and theory of human rights, human rights codes and guarantees, social change and human rights, legal argumentation in human rights, institutions, and enforcement as well as global, regional, and local communication and understanding. These topics are accompanied by intensive academic training in social science methodology.
After the second semester, students undertake an internship of ten weeks in an organisation that is relevant to human rights. Examples of organisations include public authorities, international and supranational organisations, international and national government or non-government organisations, think tanks, research institutes, educational institutions, media, or private companies. The internship may take place in Germany but it is also recommended that students gain work experience abroad in developing countries.
The third semester provides an opportunity to focus on areas of interest such as work/employment, migration and asylum or communication.
In addition, students are encouraged to mingle with students who are enrolled in the other degree programmes of the department and to collect a number of credits in joint classes. Other programmes that are run by the department focus on social law, social sciences, intercultural relations, intercultural communication, and European studies.
The Master's thesis will be written during the fourth semester. Students discuss their topics of interest with two supervisors in the department and, after having submitted their thesis, defend it in an oral disputation.

MAHRS students with a strong interest in research can apply for a PhD programme at Fulda University after graduation. For more information, see:
https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/departments/social-cultural-sciences/fulda-graduate-centre-of-social-sciences

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Study abroad units are not compulsory, but they are available. The department has a range of partnerships within Erasmus as well as with overseas partners. Students are welcome to apply for a study abroad semester.

An internship of ten weeks is to be completed during the summer break between the second and the third semester. The internship can be undertaken in Germany or abroad. A programme adviser will assist in finding an appropriate internship. For further information please read the section on educational organisation.

No tuition fees

A semester contribution of around 360 EUR is charged to cover the cost of student services, the student government, and an administrative fee as well as the "Deutschland semester ticket" (a student bus and rail pass for local and regional public transport all over Germany).

Approx. 900 to 950 EUR per month, including food, rent and health insurance (approx. 120 EUR per month), depending on one's living standard

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Law, Communication, Cultural Studies, Social Work, Philosophy, or similar subjects

Applicants are required to have 40 credits in Social Sciences or Law/Legal Studies.

Good English language skills, proven by listening, reading and writing
Accepted certificates are:

• TOEFL ibT (79)
• B2 equivalents, e.g. TOEFL pbT or itp (543), IELTS (5.5), CAE/CPE

15 June

Important note: Information on the result of the application process will be communicated around 20 July. International applicants who need a student visa for Germany can therefore request an appointment at the embassy in the days following 20 July.

International students may apply for the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.

From tutoring jobs and student assistantships at Fulda University to typical student jobs in restaurants, shops, and many other industries in the city of Fulda and its surrounding area, there is a wide range of job opportunities available. Please note that proficiency in German significantly increases employability.

The International Office offers an accommodation service for international students coming directly from abroad. The cost of accommodation amounts to approx. 400 to 500 EUR per month. There are excellent, newly built student residences within walking distance of the university.

For more information on housing, see: https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/ueber-fulda/reside-in-fulda.

Career counselling takes place as part of the internship preparation. In addition, the International Office provides international career services.

Fulda University of Applied Sciences is a practice-oriented university with an international profile and a strong focus on applied research. Fulda University is the first university of applied sciences in Germany with the independent right to confer doctoral degrees. Founded in 1974, the university currently encompasses eight departments with over 60 study programmes and approx. 9,000 students, including over 2,230 international students from more than 90 countries. The university offers a broad spectrum of academic and professional education. Numerous research and development projects are undertaken in cooperation with private business and industry. Fulda University cooperates with more than 100 universities around the world. The number of international programmes is growing continuously. These programmes are partly or entirely taught in English.
At the Bachelor's level, we currently offer six international Bachelor's programmes: Industrial Biotechnology, Industrial Engineering Life Sciences, Social Sciences for Intercultural Relations, Food Technology, Global Health, and International Business & Management. At the Master's level, we offer six programmes: International Management; Intercultural Communication and European Studies; International Food Business and Consumer Studies; Global Software Development; Data Science; and Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law, and Society.

Further programmes designed for international students include the following:

1. Pre-College Fulda, a preparatory year for applicants with and without a higher education entrance qualification for Germany
2. Pre-Study Fulda, a preparatory semester for international applicants that includes German language training
3. Career service for international students and graduates
4. Preparatory intensive German courses
5. German courses (accompanying studies)
6. Support services, e.g. for housing and visa as well as a buddy programme and orientation week
7. International Summer University (ISU), International Winter University (IWU), International Course in Business (ICB), and International Course in Social Work (ICSW)

A historic city founded in 744, Fulda today has a population of 71,000 with approx. 100,000 people living in the region. Fulda's Baroque quarter is one of the most beautiful in Germany and attracts visitors from all over the world. The picturesque Old Town has many cafés, bars, and pubs, with numerous shops and boutiques. The city's cultural life has something to offer for everyone. The high quality of life makes Fulda a great place to live and an ideal place to study. Fulda enjoys ideal public transport connections. One of Europe's principal international airports, Frankfurt International, is just one hour away by car or direct train. Other major cities in Germany, like Berlin, Munich, Cologne, or Hamburg, are within easy reach and only two to three hours away by train. Even famous European capitals like Paris and Brussels are reachable within five hours by train.