Theory and Practice of Human Rights

Programme structure

The master’s degree programme requires successful completion of nine courses and a written master’s thesis (30 credits).

Five courses are mandatory and a minimum of four elective courses must be chosen from among the various elective courses offered at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights or other institutes within the Faculty of Law or other departments at the University of Oslo.

Rules concerning postponed commencement, leave of absence, delay and progression of the student (in chapter 1).

4. semester HUMR5200 – Thesis in The Theory and Practice of Human Rights
3. semester HUMR5191 – Human Rights Methodology: Research, Analysis and Thesis Preparation Elective course Elective course
2. semester HUMR4504 – Human Rights in Practice Elective course Elective course
1. semester HUMR5140 – Human rights in international and national law HUMR5131 – Human Rights in History, Philosophy and Politics HUMR5132 – Human Rights Law in Context
  10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits

During Term I, students are required to follow three mandatory courses:

During Term II, students are required to attend one mandatory course:

In addition, students should choose two elective courses. Elective courses offered by the NCHR are the following:

During Term III, students are required to follow one mandatory course:

In addition, students should choose two elective courses. The elective courses offered by the NCHR are, for the time being, the following:

Mandatory courses aim at giving students a solid basis to understand the global and regional human rights systems from a legal perspective as well as providing a basic political and philosophical understanding of human rights. In addition, they present students with the tools necessary for writing a master’s thesis.

Elective Courses aim at providing students with a deeper understanding of selected human rights topics. In the second and third terms you are expected to complete four courses. Alternatively, one of the required elective courses may be taken in the fourth term, depending on individual preferences and on what is offered. The terms in which the elective courses are offered at the NCHR may vary from one two-year period to the next.

Students are free to choose elective courses from the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) or from other master’s degree programmes at the University of Oslo. It is also possible to choose elective courses from the Faculty of Law. As a general rule, all electives must be taught in English and be related to human rights.

The following list of elective law courses apply:

The list below shows an example of elective courses from other departments at the University of Oslo chosen by NCHR-students (the list is not exhaustive). Please note that there may be limited number of seats available at courses outside at the Faculty of Law. If you wish to register for courses outside the Faculty of Law, we recommend you contact the student adviser at the respective department directly. Please note that other deadlines for registration to courses outside the Faculty of Law may apply.

Term IV: The thesis is the culmination of the student's master’s degree studies. The thesis represents the independent work of the student, and the topic is to be chosen in consultation with the academic staff. A supervisor will be assigned to each student.

It is not possible to study abroad under this study programme.

Diploma and degree

This programme leads to the following degree: Master of Philosophy in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights

Published June 6, 2012 10:00 AM - Last modified Jan. 14, 2025 1:05 PM