MA Human Rights and Business

At a glance Prog. code: PGM1N1

Course length:
MA: 2 years, PG Certificate: 1 Year, PG Diploma: 15 months. Available part time only.
Course start:
Induction on October 2012
Course leader:
Dr Nadia Bernaz
Course location:
Hendon

Overview & facilities

The course is designed to provide professionals from the corporate, non-governmental and legal sectors with a critical understanding of the international regulatory framework and key issues that will drive the future of ethical globalisation. It covers areas of law such as international human rights law and the law of the World Trade Organisation, and explores their relevance to multinational corporations, especially those operating in emerging economies. 

The course itself is tailored for busy professionals, with significant online content and class contact restricted to two days a month (Thursday-Friday) in London. 

The course provides participants with:

  • cutting-edge knowledge of the theoretical issues concerning human rights and business operations
  • the skills necessary to be engaged in strategic business decisions as well as the development of appropriate policies
  • the opportunity to network and interact with other professional practitioners
  • the possibility of engaging in further research towards a PhD

 Contact us:

MA Programme Leader, Dr Nadia Bernaz: n.bernaz@mdx.ac.uk
MA administrator, Ms Sharon Procter: humanrights@mdx.ac.uk
Phone: 0044 (0)20 8411 6149

For more information, download the 2010-11 course brochure

Location & map

This course is based at our Hendon campus in north-west London.

Address: Middlesex University, Hendon campus, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT UK

To find out how to get to the campus see Travel Directions to Hendon campus. The nearest tube station is Hendon Central on the Northern line.

Nearest halls of residence

There are four halls of residence either on or near to Hendon campus. Usher Hall is on campus, opposite the College Building.

Platt and Writtle Halls are at the same location in Colindale, a 20 minute walk from campus.

Ivy Hall is also a short distance away by public transport in Cricklewood.

Content & modules

The MA is designed to accommodate working students, with convenient teaching times.
Each taught module consists of a number of hours of formal taught learning, discussions and presentations, with additional hours of personal study. The dissertation consists of a skills training programme and individual supervision.

Module leaders make full use of e-learning tools and relevant material is made available online. Our students are given multiple opportunities to submit and receive prompt individual feedback and general advice on formative written exercises.


Programme Structure

Year 1
Six 15-credit modules. Each of these modules is delivered over 2 intensive eight-hour days, as follows:
 
October: Foundations of Public International Law
November: International Human Rights Legal Regimes
December: The United Nations and Transnational Corporations
January: United Nations Millennium Development Goals
February: World Trade Organisation and International Trade Law
March: International Labour Organisation

This is the exit point for the PG Cert Human Rights and Business

Year 2
One optional 30-credit module. Students select one of these two specialist modules which are delivered over four intensive eight-hour days in two blocks.

October: Vulnerable Groups in Emerging Economies OR Corporate Liability and International Law.

This is the exit point for the PG Dip Human Rights and Business

January-May: Dissertation period, Students who complete their dissertation will graduate with an MA Human Rights and Business

Entry & applying

Standard Entry Requirements

The course is aimed at executives working within businesses or the third sector, who function in a decision making capacity. Emphasis will therefore be placed on your current designation/role alongside an assessment of your experience to date. In addition we would expect you to have obtained a second class honours degree (2.2 or above) or an overseas equivalent qualification.

If you do not hold an honours degree but possess relevant professional experience or qualifications, you may be admitted subject to the programme leader’s discretion.

Visas
The MA Human Rights and Business is a part-time programme only and is designed to accommodate working students, with convenient teaching times. It is taught in 2-day blocks once a month during the first year. Although we welcome applications from international applicants for part-time study, we advise that you will not be able to apply for a Tier 4 visa for part-time study.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

How to Apply

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. The quickest way to apply is by making an online application, once you have created your account and completed your application, you will be able to track the progress of your application online. Alternatively, you can fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.

Programme codes are:

MA Human Rights and Business: 005M1N1
PG Dip Human Rights and Business: 035M1N1
PG Cert Human Rights and Business: 034M1N1

Apply now

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for Human Rights and Business for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

Full-time students: MA £9,000, PG Cert £3,000
Part-time students: MA £75 per taught credit, PG Dip £50 per taught credit, PG Cert £50 per taught credit

International Students

Full-time students: MA £11,700

 

Careers & placements

In addition to gaining an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification, you will benefit greatly as a professional practitioner. The programme is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals who are already working at decision making level within their organisations. In this context it provides practitioners with:

• cutting-edge knowledge of the theoretical issues concerning human rights and business operations

• the skills necessary to be engaged in strategic business decisions as well as the development of appropriate policies

• the opportunity to network and interact with other professional practitioners

• the possibility of engaging in further research towards a research award at doctoral level.

Open days

University Open Evenings

Open evenings are a great opportunity to learn more about your chosen subject, meet academic and admissions staff, find out more about Middlesex and what life is like on campus. Open evenings for this course are held at our Hendon campus in London, for information on how to get here see our locations page.

Book Your Place Now

Book your open evening place now – make sure you select postgraduate, Hendon campus open days. The dates for open evenings are included in the booking form.

See the programme for the day and find out more about open evenings at Hendon. 

If you can't make our open day, there are more opportunities available for you to come and visit us. Campus tours are available throughout the year if you would like to have a look around. Led by Student Ambassadors, they take place most Wednesday afternoons at 1pm. You will get a feel of the campus atmosphere, plus the opportunity to ask any questions about being a student at Middlesex University. Click here to book your campus tour.

Course brochure

For more information, download the 2010 -11 course brochure

 

FAQs

Q1. What’s the difference between the MA, the Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) and the Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip)?

The PG Cert can be done in one year. To graduate, students have to complete 6 modules taught from October to March. The PG Cert gives a solid basis in the area of human rights and business. Students undertaking the PG Dip have to complete the 6 modules taught in Year 1 as well as a specialized module taught at the beginning of Year 2. The PG Dip allows the students to go more in depth into one area of law: minority rights or corporate liability. MA candidates have to complete all the taught modules (six Year 1 modules and one specialized Year 2 module) and write a final dissertation. By the time they complete the MA the students have gained an in-depth knowledge of the issues pertaining to human rights and business, as well as the skills to undertake further research in the area.

Q2. I’m not sure whether I should do the MA, the PG Cert or the PG Dip, what shall I do?

Please feel free to contact the module leader, Dr Nadia Bernaz (n.bernaz@mdx.ac.uk). She will be happy to help you figure out what the best option is for your needs.

Q3. I’m interested in the programme, but I’m not sure yet whether I can commit for 2 years. Is there some flexibility?

Yes. You can decide to undertake the PG Cert and then pay additional fees to undertake the PG Dip or the MA.

Q4. Is there compulsory attendance?

No. However, since contact time is limited in the programme, it is highly recommended to come to the sessions, during which the students are given the opportunity to work on case studies and enter into discussions.

Q5. How many days of attendance does the programme involve?

Teaching generally takes place two days a month (Thursday and Friday) in Year 1, from October to March. Teaching is more limited in Year 2, in which students work on their dissertation.

Q6. What will I have to do to complete the programme?

To complete the MA, you will be required to submit eight pieces of work and obtain a passing grade in each of them. The pieces will be essays, PowerPoint presentations, a press release and the dissertation.

Q7. I left university some time ago and I’m concerned about ‘not fitting in’, will I get some help?

Yes. The programme is tailored for working people who may not have been in school for quite some time. In fact, most of our students will be just like you! Moreover, students are given the opportunity to submit a draft version of their essays for the first two modules and receive a formative grade and extensive feedback. The lecturers are approachable and provide the students with all the help they may need in order to maximise their chances of success.

Q8. How many hours of personal work a week will I have to do?

To be fully prepared, you should spend 10-15 hours a week preparing each taught session.

Q9. I'm really interested in some modules but cannot commit for one year. Is there some flexibility?

Yes. You can choose to do one module (or more) separately but you may be required to do some additional preparation so as to ensure you fully benefit from it. Please feel free to contact the programme leader, Dr Nadia Bernaz (n.bernaz@mdx.ac.uk). She will be happy to help you figure out what the best option is for your needs.

Special Events

Middlesex University’s Human Rights and Business Speaker Series

As part of Middlesex’s Human Rights and Business Speaker Series, Professor Bruce Broomhall from the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) will give a talk on "Resource Conflicts, Corporate Responsibility and Global Rights Protection: Côte d'Ivoire's Cocoa and the DRC’s Mineral Wealth”.

Date: Monday 17 October - 17:30

Location: Middlesex University, London (Hendon Central Tube – Northern Line)

Refreshments will be available after the talk.

Please RSVP to Christiana Frandzis (C.Frandzis@mdx.ac.uk ) by Thursday 13 October.


Corporate Liability for Human Rights Violations and International Law

3-day course by Middlesex University Law Department

Date: Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2011

Venue: Amnesty International, Gammeltorv 8, 5th floor, DK-1457 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Language: English

Price: £850

Contacts (Middlesex University, London):

For course content: Dr Nadia Bernaz: +44 (0)20 8411 4957 | n.bernaz@mdx.ac.uk

For administrative matters: Ms Sharon Procter: +44 (0)20 8411 6149 | humanrights@mdx.ac.uk

Who should do this course?

The course is aimed at professionals (business, NGOs, government, recent graduates) who work or have an interest in the area of business and human rights, but who do not possess the legal tools on corporate liability.

What can participants expect to gain from the course? 

  • To understand the concept of corporate liability in criminal and civil law;

  • To become familiar with the practicalities of the involvement of corporations in human rights violations;

  • To examine specific legislation such as the US Alien Torts Claim Act and Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act;

  • To examine the emerging issue of the state of incorporation’s international obligation to prosecute and/or to provide for civil remedies through case studies.

Syllabus 

  • The concept of corporate civil and criminal liability

  • The history of corporate liability for international law violations

  • The Alien Torts Act and questions of jurisdiction

  • Litigation case studies

  • The future of corporate liability for international crimes

  • Alternative mechanisms: OECD national contact points

Suggested further readings

Jernej Letnar Černič, Human Rights Law and Business : Corporate Responsibility for Fundamental Human Rights, Europa Law Publishing, 2010.

Desislava Stoitchkova, Towards Corporate Liability in International Criminal Law, Intersentia, 2010.

Register for this course here.

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