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Human Rights at University of Sussex - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024) Our PhD in Human Rights is radically interdisciplinary, spanning the social sciences and humanities. As a doctoral researcher, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake research in human rights beyond a narrow legal approach. You’ll:

  • be co-supervised by faculty with expertise in a wide range of areas, from social sciences to humanities and to law
  • benefit from our strong international networks for research and collaboration
  • be a part of the doctoral and early career researcher community affiliated with the Centre for Rights, Reparations and Anti-Colonial Justice, and participate in the research-in-progress seminars and other events of the Centre.
Areas of study Our areas of expertise and supervision include:
  • human rights in international politics and global political economy, including foreign policy
  • social movements, including labour, religious, indigenous, anti-colonial and rebel politics
  • poverty, exploitation and dispossession
  • racism, colonialism, anti-colonial mobilisations and anti-racism
  • gender and sexuality
  • race, indigeneity and ethnicity
  • migration, asylum and refugeehood
  • historical and contemporary forms of violence, including genocide and ethnic cleansing
  • issues of identity and difference
  • globalisation, development and climate change
  • regional and global governance, as well as international and non-governmental organisations
  • theories and philosophies of human rights, including of protection, obligation, responsibility and remedy
  • theories and histories of the human and subject of rights
  • business and human rights, including corruption and corporate obligations
  • transitional and reparative justice
  • ethical theories of human rights
  • rule of law and post-conflict reconstruction.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Assessment method

Research project

Entry requirements

You’re normally expected to have a Merit (an average of 60% of overall) in a Masters degree and an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree. Subject-specific requirements Your qualification must be in a subject area relevant to your chosen area of research. You may also be considered for the degree if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing. We also offer a 1+3 route incorporating the MSc in Social Research Methods or further specialist research training modules within Year 1 for those without the required research training

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Please click on the course URL to see up-to-date fee information.
Human Rights at University of Sussex - UCAS