Human Rights and Bus

Course length: MA: 2 years; PG Certificate: 1 Year; PG Diploma: 15 months. Available part-time only.

Course start: Induction commences 1 October 2013, International student orientation September 2013

Course leader: Dr Nadia Bernaz

Find out more about our outstanding postgraduate scholarship offer and apply today.

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. 

Key benefits

  • Gain cutting-edge knowledge of the theoretical issues concerning human rights and business operations
  • Gain the skills necessary to be engaged in strategic business decisions as well as the development of appropriate policies
  • Opportunity to network and interact with other professional practitioners
  • Delivered over intensive eight hour days
  • MA, PG Dip and PG Cert options available
  • PG Cert can be completed within a few months
  • Strong professional links within the legal and business sectors
  • Regular guest speakers
  • Online learning  
  • Possibility of engaging in further research towards a PhD

Contact us

MA Programme Leader, Dr Nadia Bernaz: n.bernaz@mdx.ac.uk

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.

You will develop an understanding of the basic tools of public international law that govern relations between states, international organisations, multinational corporations and other global actors. You will explore the existing international human rights mechanisms and their impact on the corporate world. You will engage with the theoretical issues underpinning law in different global contexts and participate in discussions regarding strategies towards sustainable and responsible business.

Assessment

Your progress on the course is assessed by a combination of coursework, projects, reports, essays, verbal and visual presentations and a dissertation. 


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

Fees

UK/EU Students

MA (180 credits): £75 per taught credit; £9,000 over two years

PGDiploma (120 credits): £63 per taught credit; £7,560 over two years

PG Certificate (60 credits): £63 per taught credit; £3,780 over one year

You would not usually pay more to study part-time than the full-time fee rate. Find out more about how to calculate your part-time course fee.

Find out about our flexible payment plans for UK/EU students, and how they can help you spread the cost of your course.

International Students

MA (180 credits): £100 per taught credit; £12,000 over two years

PG Diploma (120 credits): £71 per taught credit; £8,520 over two years

PG Certificate (60 credits): £71 per taught credit; £4,260 over one year

 

Entry Requirements

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 internet based 87 (with at least 21 in listening & writing, 22 in speaking and 23 in reading).

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.

Application Procedure

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

Careers

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.

Student Profiles

Malin EkefalkMalin Ekefalk is Director of Social Responsibility at Electrolux in Sweden. She is currently studying the MA Human Rights and Business:

“I had the fantastic opportunity to develop my professional skills within my role as part of a CSR team at a multinational company for over 10 years. However, to develop further I needed to acquire new competencies and knowledge that I knew were needed within the business. The MA programme has provided me with a solid foundation for driving the efforts on human rights in my company, for example, developing our approach to human rights due diligence as part of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

“Studying this course at Middlesex was an obvious win-win situation - the company needed the competence, as the external stakeholder expectations are growing in the area of business and human rights, and at the same time I had the opportunity to devote myself to a topic that is meaningful and resonates with my personal values.

“I was very pleased with the level of knowledge and dedication all tutors have. Each course has provided us with the ins and outs of the topic as well us plenty of time for questions, discussion - and debate! There was also some flexibility in the structure of the programme and we were able to influence this.”

 

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.