Course summary
Why study this subject? MSc Migration Studies: Policy and Practice offers a deep exploration of one of the most pressing global issues of our time. Our degree will equip you with the critical skills needed to analyse complex migration dynamics and understand the lived experiences of migrants, helping you navigate and respond to the challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing global landscape. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? Our programme provides a comprehensive, socially engaged approach to migration, combining cutting-edge academic research with practical, real-world application. You will benefit from engaging lectures and thought-provoking discussions led by experts in the field, allowing you to critically analyse migration from a multidisciplinary perspective, incorporating insights from sociology, economics, politics, and anthropology. To ensure your learning extends beyond the classroom, the programme also incorporates interactive workshops and seminars delivered by professionals with extensive experience working directly with or within migrant and diaspora communities. These guest sessions will expose you to real-life case studies, providing practical insights into the realities of migration and the skills required to navigate complex issues in professional practice. In addition, we are proud to offer modern day slavery training to students, in partnership with Hope for Justice, an internationally recognised organisation that works to bring an end to modern slavery and human trafficking, and to protect the human rights of victims and survivors. What will I study? Throughout the course you will develop a comprehensive understanding of techniques and research methods applicable to research or advanced scholarship on international migration and diaspora communities. You will also develop a critical awareness and systematic understanding of the current knowledge, theory and evidence-based practice relevant to the field of migration studies, as well as current areas of scholarly interest and policy relevance. Close attention is paid to ethical perspectives and social justice considerations throughout the course. On completion of this course you will be able to evaluate migration policy formulation and interventions, whilst effectively communicating the implications and practical applications of your research. You will also be able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the lived experiences of migrants in society, the social construction of their identities, and their agency. Your learning will support the development of a systematic and critical understanding of processes through which policies impacting migrant, minority and diasporic communities are formulated, implemented, developed and evaluated. How will I be taught and assessed? Teaching methods on the course will include:
- online lectures
- online classroom-based activities (utilising Blackboard Collaborate)
- independent learning methods
- practical online based sessions (including role-playing and simulations).
- time-constrained assignments
- poster presentations
- reflective accounts
- oral presentations
- time constrained examinations
- essays
- research reports
- professional style reports e.g. court reports, expert witness reports
- risk assessment/management reports.
Modules
Core Modules
- Migration Studies: Issues & Perspectives
- Research Methods
- Migration Policy and Governance
- Postgraduate Migration Dissertation
- Case Studies: Working with Communities
- Refugee Studies
- International Human Rights
- Vulnerable Groups in Forensic Settings
Assessment method
A range of summative assessment methods may be employed on this course, as follows: time-constrained assignments poster presentations reflective accounts oral presentations time constrained examinations essays research reports professional style reports e.g. court reports, expert witness reports risk assessment/management reports. The final empirical dissertation represents a major piece of independent research activity within your chosen field of migration. This will involve a number of options including collecting original empirical (quantitative or qualitative) data from participants, or equivalent alternatives such as computational modelling of empirical or secondary data analysis, making use of large data sets, or an extended literature review or a performance piece. It will be undertaken with support from an academic supervisor delivered via regular meetings throughout the academic year.
Entry requirements
A typical applicant will hold a 2:1 in a related degree such as: Politics & International Relations; Sociology; Social Policy; Criminology; Law; Health; Policing; Geography; Communication & Media Studies; Economics. Alternatively, you may have a 2:1 in a non-related subject. Candidates may also currently be working within: NGOs/charities (addressing refugee, diversity, housing, poverty, human rights issues, etc). Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis and an interview may be required.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent. |
If English is not your first language or if you have studied in a non-majority English-speaking country, then you will typically be required to demonstrate your English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing) by way of a test such as IELTS.
BNU English Language Requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £8750 | Year 1 |
| International | £8750 | Year 1 |
| England | £8750 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £8750 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £8750 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £8750 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £8750 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £8750 | Year 1 |
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
Buckinghamshire New University tuition fees cover the cost of instruction, assessment, and core academic materials. However, additional costs may be incurred for course-related items or requirements, such as, but not limited to:
- Text books and supplementary reading materials
- Specialised equipment or resources required for specific courses
- Field trips, placements, or external activities
- Printing, photocopying, and binding
- Accommodation, travel, and living expenses
Additional costs will vary by course. It is your responsibility as a student to budget for any additional expenses associated with your studies.
For further details on what is included in your tuition fees, please check bnu.ac.uk/fees-and-funding
Sponsorship information
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students, and if you’re a recent BNU graduate, you may even qualify for a fee discount on your postgraduate studies.
Provider information
Buckinghamshire New University
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
HP11 2JZ
Course contact details
Visit our course page Enquiry form