Refugee Studies MA

Overview

Our internationally recognised course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the complex nature of global refugee movements, the processes which lie behind the search for protection and asylum and the diverse local, national and international responses to forced displacement.

You will gain interdisciplinary knowledge of the gendered, economic, political, legal, socio-cultural, and psychological processes related to forced migration.

You will also develop the skills to plan, organise and carry out independent research to inform professional practice and policy-making.

Learning about forced migration on this course is participatory and mutual and draws from real-life experiences, including from our students, who come from diverse backgrounds and some are refugees themselves.

A master's degree in refugee studies is a qualification that is internationally valued. Our students typically go on to pursue a wide range of exciting and challenging careers in community, non-governmental and governmental organisations. Those interested in pursuing postgraduate research degrees have been successful in gaining places and scholarships nationally and internationally.

Course Options

• MA: Start date September 2025

Entry Requirements

• Academic Requirements: Bachelor's degree with minimum Second Class (2:2) or equivalent in any subject. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear commitment to refugee-related work and issues. Experience of refugee-related work at the time of application is welcomed.
• International Qualifications: We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications.
• English Language Requirements: Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).

Fees

• Home Applicant, Full-time: £10,860 per year
• Home Applicant, Part-time: £1,810 per 30 credit module
• International Applicant, Full-time: £16,560 per year

Funding

• Postgraduate Loans Scheme: £10,906 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
• Postgraduate Scholarship: Apply for a 50 per cent discount on your tuition fees
• Alumni Discount: Up to 15% fee waiver (exclusions apply)
• Early Payment Discount: 5% fee waiver
• Asylum Seekers Scholarship: 100% fee waiver
• Civic Engagement: £1,000
• Hardship Bursary: Up to £2,000
• Sport Scholarships: Up to £6,000

Additional Costs

• Textbooks: You may prefer to, or be required to, buy your own copy of key textbooks.
• Computer Equipment: You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences.
• Printing: Printing and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees.
• Travel: Travel costs are not included but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses and halls of residence.

Course Modules

• Forced Migration in the Global Era: Core Module
• Research Methods for Social Science: Core Module
• Independent Applied Research Project: Core Module
• Introduction to Conflict, Displacement and Human Security: Optional Module
• International Human Rights: Optional Module
• War and Human Rights: Optional Module
• International Refugee Law: Optional Module
• Global Development Now: Optional Module
• Global Environmental Politics: Optional Module

What We're Researching

You will be taught by internationally recognised scholars who have published extensively in the fields of forced migration and refugee studies, peace and conflict studies, gender studies, migration, and development.

Our academic team are engaged in innovative research on the key issues of today's globalised world such as: new ways of thinking about refugee rights to protection; digital diasporas and refugee voices; transit migrations and borders; gender power systems of conflict and gendered processes of building peace; the role of social capital in social inclusion.

Your Future Career

This course is suited to people who are working in areas concerned with human rights, legal representation of refugees, counselling, education, social and community issues and refugee welfare.

If you are already working in this area, the course will give you the confidence and experience to apply for more senior positions.

If you are aiming to enter the field for the first time, it will give you the skills to apply for roles with NGOs, government departments or other organisations working closely with refugees.

How We Support Your Career Ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking.

Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed.

You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

How You'll Learn

One of the most rewarding elements of the course is that it attracts students from diverse origins and with widely differing experiences, including refugees from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Western and Eastern Europe.

In addition to lectures and seminars, you will benefit from access to workshops and conferences organised by the Centre for Migration, Refugees and Belonging, the Centre for Social Justice and Change, the Feminist Research Group and other university-wide groups.

This means you have the opportunity to link up with key researchers in the area and gain an insight into the latest thinking on critical issues.

How You'll Be Assessed

We assess you by your coursework, which includes essays, reports, presentations, research proposal and your dissertation.

All modules will be assessed and the final award takes account of all module marks.

Campus and Facilities

Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town centre, the 2012 Olympic Park, just 15 minutes from London's West End and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf.

Stratford's facilities include a state-of-the-art library and learning centre, the majestic great hall and specialist laboratories and computing services.

The School of Childhood and Social Care, and Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science are housed in new buildings.

There is also a campus restaurant and bookshop, and a Students' Union café-bar.

Who Teaches This Course

This course is delivered by the School of Childhood and Social Care.

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers.

Related Courses

• MSc International Relations
• MSc NGO and Development Management
• PhD MPhil Social Sciences

University of East London

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