Programme summary for MA Refugee Studies

Student Work

The MA Refugee Studies programme at UEL examines forced migration, exile and the refugee experience. It is multi-disciplinary, using insights from social, cultural and legal theory, politics and international relations. It encourages students to focus upon the experiences, needs and achievements of refugee communities.

Examples of Work

For examples of work from the Qualitative Methods for the Social Sciences module, please see links below.

For details, please apply to Giorgia Don

The Programme

Refugee-Centred Approach

A distinguishing feature of the programme is its emphasis upon the lived experience of refugees and of refugee communities. By drawing upon staff and students’ personal contacts with such communities it aims to develop a fuller appreciation of refugee experiences, achievements and needs.

The programme will interest those who wish to undertake further research in the fields of migration and diasporic studies; ethnicity; social, psycho-social and cultural theory; legal studies; and social policy. It will also interest those professionally concerned with human rights; legal representation of refugees; counselling; education; social and community issues; and refugee welfare. It will assist those who wish to enter employment in these fields.

Experience

The Refugee Studies programme team has wide experience of refugee matters at the academic level and in the fields of legal practice, human rights activity, welfare and community life. It maintains close relations with refugee communities in East London and with leading voluntary organisations in the fields of human rights, advice and counselling, and refugee advocacy.

This collaborative programme, now in its ninth year, draws on staff in the School of Law and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The programme is located within the Field of Anthropology, Politics and International Development.

The School of Law and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences each have large undergraduate programmes and expanding PhD research programmes. Both run graduate seminars which students on the MA Refugee Studies programme are invited to attend. Refugee Studies organises regular public seminars on key legal, social, political and cultural issues within the field of forced migration, and is active in associated research and consultancy.

About the programme

The refugee phenomenon is an issue of world importance. Forced migration affects vast numbers of people who find themselves victims of exclusion, and who are often denied asylum. This programme investigates the causes of forced migration, the ethical and legal issues involved, the impact on individuals and refugee communities, and the implications for the wider society. Drawing on staff and students’ personal contacts with refugee communities, it develops an appreciation of refugee experiences, achievements and needs.

Programme structure

One year full-time; two years part-time. Two compulsory taught modules; choice of two taught modules from seven options; research dissertation.

Career opportunities

This programme will be of particular interest to anyone professionally concerned with, or wanting to enter employment in the fields of: human rights; legal representation of refugees; counselling; education; social and community issues; and refugee welfare. It will also benefit anyone wishing to undertake further research in migration and diasporic studies, ethnicity, social, psycho-social and cultural theory, legal studies and social policy.

Support

All students benefit from work in small groups, from an active tutorial system, from training in research methods, and from access to a dedicated archive on refugee issues

Admission

Applicants are normally required to have a good first degree in a cognate area of study. Under special circumstances applicants without a relevant first degree but with substantial professional experience may be considered.