How do individuals, communities and governments approach human rights differently across the globe? How do these differences in human rights laws impact relationships between states? How does globalisation affect international relations?

Our BA Global Studies with Human Rights course will deepen your knowledge of our increasingly interconnected world, whilst building expertise in human rights. You will develop your confidence to advocate for individual and community rights, social justice, and social change.

The defence of human rights is one of the most profound challenges we face across the globe. From asylum seekers, to prisoner welfare and political alignment – we teach you the principles and practices of human rights from a global perspective.

You will study topics including, but not limited to:

The promotion and protection of human rights

Society and modern revolutions

Patterns of migration

International development

Lessons from modern history

Based in our School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies, you will be taught by experts from a range of disciplines across the humanities and social sciences.

You will also be taught by academics from our Essex Law School.

At Essex we specialise in business law, public law, criminal justice, health law, law and technology, socio-legal studies and human rights law.

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.

Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university.

Placement year

When you arrive at Essex, you can decide whether you would like to combine your course with a placement year. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Employability and Careers Centre.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.