Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action

The Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action is a multidisciplinary and international programme given in association with different universities in Europe and the rest of the world. It provides high-quality academic education and professional competencies for a career in humanitarian action, emergency and disaster relief, and development at both national and international levels. You will study at a minimum of two universities and can do an internship at a relevant organisation in order to build up your experience.

Autumn 2023 Autumn 2023, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English

Location

Uppsala

Pace of study

100%

Teaching form

On-campus

Instructional time

Daytime

Start date

28 August 2023

Language of instruction

English

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Language requirements

All applicants need to verify English-language proficiency. This is usually done through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS or through previous university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

IELTS: a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no section below 6.0;
TOEFL internet-based: minimum score of 24 (scale 0–30) in the written test and a total score of 93;
Cambridge: CAE (C1), CPE (C2).

Knowledge of other languages and practical experience in the area of humanitarian action are recommended.

Selection

See the NOHA website for information about the selection procedure.

Application deadline

15 April 2023

Additional information

Read more about the application procedure and apply for the programme at the international programme website. Please note the application deadline.

Apply now

About the programme

The Network on Humanitarian Action – NOHA – is the organisation responsible for this joint European Master's programme.

The Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action was launched in 1993 because of growing concern about the increase in disasters and conflicts in the world and the complex consequences for society. In order to address these questions, it was felt that a more professional approach was required, combining academic higher education and professional competencies. The programme is administered by the Department of Theology but is multidisciplinary.

This education is one of the best-established Master's programmes in humanitarian action. NOHA links eight core universities in Europe with many partner universities around the globe. The Master's programme has on three occasions been awarded Erasmus Mundus Programme status, thus facilitating student and scholar mobility within the network. Moreover, NOHA's Graduates Platform offers a mentoring scheme linking students to alumni (subject to resources).

Key features

Develop core competencies for a career in humanitarian action
Study at least one semester abroad
The option of taking a work placement.

The Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action offers a multidisciplinary education which seeks to teach you as a student core competence for a career in humanitarian action. The overall aim is to train you to develop the analytical and practical skills needed by professional humanitarian workers - for example, an interdisciplinary understanding of emergency situations and a capacity to organise and plan humanitarian relief operations. The duration of the Master's programme is two years of full-time study.

Student profile

The Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action has been designed for people working or intending to work in the field of humanitarian action. Candidates are chosen on the basis of the quality of their education and professional background, their experience in and concern for humanitarian issues, their multicultural sensitivity and their linguistic abilities. We welcome students from all over the world and with a wide range of backgrounds.

Degree

The programme leads to the degree of Master of Arts in Theology (120 credits) with International Humanitarian Action as the main field of study.

Content

The first semester kicks off in September with the Intensive Programme (IP), which is held at one of the universities within NOHA. The semester then continues with five core courses to provide you with a grounding in humanitarian action. The core courses in the first semester are studied and examined one at a time. The layout and pace of courses at partner universities will vary.

In the second semester, you move to a NOHA partner university in Europe and study that university's specialisation. Learn more about the universities within NOHA and their respective specialisations. Good knowledge of French will be necessary for Aix University, whilst knowledge of Spanish is an advantage if you wish to go to Deusto.

In turn, Uppsala receives exchange students from other NOHA universities who will study our specialisation: Conflict, Peacebuilding and Religion.

In the third semester, you can either choose exchange studies again, primarily at universities outside Europe, or take a work placement with a national or international organisation in the humanitarian sector and follow a career development course.

The fourth and final semester is devoted to writing your Master's thesis. The thesis module ends with a seminar where you will defend your thesis and critique another.

Courses within the programme

First semester

In Warsaw:

"The Intensive Programme", 5 credits

In Uppsala:

Anthropology and Intercultural Aspects of Humanitarian Action, 5 credits
Legal Dimensions of Humanitarian Action, 5 credits
Management, 5 credits
Public Health in Humanitarian Action, 5 credits
World politics and Humanitarian Action, 5 credits

Second semester

Uppsala students must go on exchange to another NOHA-member university in Europe and take 30 credits of studies there.

In Uppsala, exchange students from other NOHA universities are offered:

Conflict and Peacebuilding, 15 credits
Religion and Humanitarian Action, 5 credits
Advanced Management, 5 credits
Methodology, 5 credits

Third semester

Regional Training at a European or non-European partner university, 30 credits

or

Placement, 20 credits
Career Development, 10 credits

Fourth semester

Thesis, 30 credits

Learning experience

This is a campus-based, full-time programme, which means around 30-40 hours of study per week. It is not possible to study this programme part-time or as distance learning. You must study for at least one semester at a partner university outside Sweden.

Swedish academic culture is fairly informal. This means that university lecturers are considered as more like partners in students' educational and learning processes. Less time is dedicated to traditional classroom lectures and more to personal reading and individual and group tasks. The aim is to give students a balanced workload between taking part in lectures, reading the assigned course materials, critical consideration of the readings, and group discussions, all of which are important parts of the advanced learning experience.

Active participation in class discussions and student interaction outside the classroom are encouraged, giving therefore a substantial amount of responsibility to students in their preparations for their future lives as professionals.

You will write your Master's thesis with guidance from a supervisor and present it at a defence seminar.

The language of instruction at Uppsala is English; French and Spanish are used at certain partner universities.

Career

This programme provides you with a high-quality academic education and professional competencies tailored to a career in the areas of international humanitarian action, emergency and disaster relief, and development.

A Master's degree in International Humanitarian Action could be a suitable qualification for work in non-governmental organisations and large international organisations.

Our graduates work, for example, in organisations such as:

The Middle East Children's Institute
Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Red Cross
Save the Children
Terre des Hommes Foundation
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Examples of some of the job titles our alumni have are ECHO Partnership Manager, Head of Programmes, Gender-Based Violence Programme Officer, Team Leader - Protective Apartments and Resettlement Senior Legal Officer.

In Sweden, there are also career possibilities in the public sector such as in the County Councils and Municipalities and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB).

The Faculty of Theology is a leading centre for the study of different world religions and plays host to the Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies on Racism and the Uppsala Religion and Society Research Centre. The faculty carries out research on, amongst other issues, immigration, racism, welfare and ethics; it also offers a Master's in human rights.

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.