Master Governance & Human Rights: FAQ

The program is primarily designed as a distance learning format, including three to five live webinars for each course. In addition, two hybrid campus weeks, each lasting one week, take place at the Leuphana campus in Lüneburg, typically in September. These are known as Campus Weeks. The exact dates for each intake are published in advance. You are free to participate in person on campus or online via video conferencing.

As this is a professional study program, there are no fixed semester breaks. However, students have flexibility in organizing their individual study schedules. Where necessary, deadline extensions may be coordinated in consultation with the program management to accommodate personal or professional commitments.

The Campus Weeks are an integral part of the program. They provide an opportunity to reflect on and consolidate learning from the online phases, as well as to engage in in depth discussions with fellow students and lecturers. However, as the program follows a hybrid format, participation can also take place online where required. If attendance is not possible, students may follow up on the content afterward.

Since the classroom sessions are once a year, you do not need a residential permit to get accepted in the program.

You need a sum of 300 ECTS to receive your Masters certificate. Some students do not have a total of 300 ECTS when adding the points in their Bachelor's studies and the M.A. Governance and Human Rights. These students need to acquire additional CP. In order to do so, your professional experience can get recognized. 

Further information about the crediting procedure

No, there is no age limit. The Leuphana Professional School has made very positive experiences with people from different age groups studying together.

The standard period of study is 4 semesters/2 years.

The programme follows a portfolio examination concept. This means that examinations usually consist of several smaller tasks completed throughout the course, rather than one single written exam at the end.

Depending on the course, portfolio tasks may include written reflections, case study analyses, discussion contributions, short essays, presentations, or applied assignments. These tasks are designed to support continuous learning and to help students engage with the course content step by step.

There is no accommodation provided for the classroom sessions. In recent years, accommodation was provided, but students chose to use platforms like Airbnb to search for accommodation during the classroom session. In the study guide, there are some recommendations for accommodation during the classroom sessions.

Yes. You may apply with a provisional transcript together with a letter from your university confirming your expected graduation date. The final degree certificate must then be submitted before enrolment in September.

Yes. The program is specifically designed for working professionals who want to deepen their expertise in governance and human rights while continuing their careers.

Its flexible, distance-learning structure allows you to organize most of your studies independently around your professional and personal commitments. At the same time, structured elements such as live webinars, the project module, and the thesis ensure continuity, interaction, and practical application.

Participants typically come from diverse professional backgrounds, including public administration, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector They could learn from each other and establish effective networks during the program.

The exact composition of each cohort varies from year to year. However, the M.A. Governance and Human Rights is an internationally oriented program and usually brings together students from diverse academic, professional, and geographical backgrounds.

Students often come from different countries and regions, and they may have experience in fields such as human rights, governance, law, international relations, development cooperation, public administration, civil society, or related areas. The age range also varies, as the program is designed for both early career professionals and students with more extensive professional experience.

In order to be eligible for the program, you have to hold a first university degree and have English language skills on a sophisticated level.

In order to indicate sophisticated English language skills, you have to achieve at least the following scores in English language tests:

• TOEFL, IBT min. 92 points
• IELTS (Academic version) min. 6.5 points
• CAE or CPE: Level C1, Grade B
• TOEIC 4 skills test: min. 720 points in listening and reading and 310 points in speaking and writing

There are additional possibilities to prove sophisticated English language skills available on request, such as

• Being an English native speaker
• Having successfully completed university studies of one semester (6 months) entirely in English

The program is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to organize your studies around your professional and personal commitments. Most learning activities, including readings and assignments, can be completed independently according to your own schedule. The only fixed elements are the live webinars within each course. These are scheduled based on a cohort survey to identify the most convenient time slots for the majority of participants. To ensure accessibility across different time zones, all webinars are recorded. If you are unable to attend a live webinar, you can easily catch up by accessing the recordings at a time that suits you.

The application deadline is May 31^st.

To be accepted onto the Masters program, you must meet the admission requirements and respect the application deadline. You will find all information on the requirements and necessary documents on our Application page.

After the application deadline, the admissions committee will decide whether to admit you to the Masters program. Successful candidates will be sent the documents they need for enrollment. The Masters program Governance and Human Rights then starts in September.

After the application deadline passed (31 May), you will hear about admission.

After you have been admitted to the program, you will be sent several documents you need to sign. You will have to accept the study place, pay the semester fee (of approximately 255 €), sign documents like the declaration on the use of Leuphana IT infrastructure, etc. Furthermore, you will be sent preparation materials which give you first insights on the program.

A 1-year professional experience is required.

You would have to submit your application via the online application tool.

You need to upload the following documents:

• your first university degree diploma
• a proof of your advanced level of English
• a proof of one year of professional experience (also voluntary, part-time and experience not related to the field of Governance and Human Rights)

The application deadline is 31 May and you would hear shortly afterwards about admission. The deadline is the same for all students (German, European, international).

Semester 1 introduces the foundations of governance, international human rights law, and research methods. Semester 2 deepens the thematic modules (for example, business and human rights, development, and migration). Semester 3 combines elective content with the project module. Semester 4 is dedicated primarily to the master's thesis.

Yes, there are opportunities to specialize. However, this is not achieved by choosing optional modules, but by focusing on specific areas within the compulsory modules of the curriculum. Most of our courses are designed to give you room to shape assignments around your own interests — you can frame the cases you analyze, choose the issues you discuss, and, over the program, weight your portfolio, your project module, and your thesis toward a chosen thematic focus. Typical specializations include business and human rights, digital rights and technology governance, climate and environmental justice, migration and displacement, and gender and human rights.

Yes. The M.A. Governance and Human Rights is a state- and internationally recognized degree from Leuphana University of Lüneburg, accredited in line with European higher education standards. The program regularly undergoes reaccreditation procedures by FIBAA to ensure it maintains its high quality. The Master’s qualifies graduates for doctoral studies in Germany and abroad.

Graduates are equipped to analyze governance challenges through a human rights lens; translate international norms into organizational practice; design and evaluate policies, programs, and due-diligence processes; and lead or contribute to advocacy, compliance, or research projects in governmental, inter-governmental, civil society, and corporate settings. See more on our masters governance-and-human-rights - career opportunities page.

The program combines three complementary formats:  asynchronous learning using digital learning resources (recorded lectures, guided reading and case studies) and a wide variety of online learning activities, ranging from online forums to PDF annotation; live webinars for discussion and application; and two hybrid on-campus weeks per study period, held in September in Lüneburg and dedicated to intensive group work, simulations, and guest lectures from practitioners.

The program is theoretically grounded and introduces students to key concepts, debates, and approaches in the fields of governance and human rights. At the same time, a strong focus is placed on practical relevance and professional application.

Many lecturers bring practical experience from international organizations, non-governmental organizations, public institutions, research, or policy related work. Course tasks often encourage students to apply theoretical concepts to real world examples, case studies, and current challenges.  The practice project is also an integral part of the program and allows students to connect academic learning with professional and practical contexts. 

You will be introduced to a topic through an online lecture with correspondent literature and further study materials. In the course of the classes you are working on assignments to successfully complete the class. Additional to these, you will meet, learn and discuss with your lecturer via online seminars which are spread over the semester and take place in the evenings.

The master’s program is taught entirely in English. Therefore, applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency to successfully participate in all courses, discussions, and assessments. Please check the application page for details about the required level.

The project module is designed to bridge theory and practice. It enables students to apply key concepts from governance and human rights to real-world challenges and professional contexts.

The module runs across all four semesters and follows a clearly structured timeline from the beginning of the program. Throughout this process, students develop skills in project design, critical analysis, and communication, while working on topics such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability, and human rights practice.

Overall, the project module supports students in translating academic knowledge into practical solutions relevant to their own professional fields.

Yes. Many students are sponsored fully or partially by their employer. The Professional School can issue invoices in the employer’s name on request — please flag this at the enrolment stage so that the paperwork can be set up from the start.

The total tuition fee for the program is €9,900. In addition, students are required to pay the current semester contribution (approx. €255 per semester), which covers administrative services and student benefits.

Yes, it is possible to pay by instalments. These instalments can be monthly, bi-monthly, quarter-annually, semi-annually, annually. For an individual consultation please feel free to approach the study coordinator by phone or e-mail.

We have set up a special website about possible scholarships and funding options which are worth researching.

Graduates work across the public, non-profit, and private sectors. Common destinations include human rights NGOs; UN agencies (for example UNDP, UNICEF, and UNHCR) and development cooperation organizations such as GIZ; national ministries and diplomatic services; corporate human rights, ESG, and compliance teams in private companies; consultancies and think tanks; academia and research; and media and journalism roles with a governance or rights focus.

Because the program is designed for working professionals, internships are not part of the curriculum. Instead, the project module and thesis are structured so that they can be integrated into your current role — or used to open a new area of professional interest. The Professional School of Leuphana University of Lüneburg signposts relevant job boards and career events.

Yes. Alumni stay connected through the program's dedicated alumni network on LinkedIn. Alumni are regularly invited to online events organized by the program and to in-person events hosted by the Leuphana Professional School.

Yes. The M.A. is a research-oriented degree, and graduates have gone on to doctoral programs in law, political science, and interdisciplinary human rights studies, both in Germany and abroad.