Latin American Studies with Human Rights

The MA in Latin American Studies with Human Rights at the University of Essex offers students an in-depth exploration of the complex political, social, cultural, and economic landscapes of Latin America. This interdisciplinary programme combines rigorous academic coursework with practical insights into the challenges faced by Latin American societies, focusing particularly on issues related to human rights, social justice, and political activism. Students will engage with a diverse range of topics, including democratization processes, conflict resolution, social movements, indigenous rights, gender equality, and the impact of globalization on the region. The programme is designed to equip graduates with advanced analytical skills, comprehensive regional knowledge, and a critical understanding of human rights issues, enabling them to pursue careers in academia, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, policy-making, or further research.

The curriculum integrates both theoretical frameworks and real-world applications, featuring modules such as Latin American Politics, Human Rights and International Law, Social Movements, and Contemporary Issues in Latin America. Students will have the opportunity to develop research projects on topics of their choice, supported by faculty expertise and access to extensive regional resources. The programme also emphasizes practical skills, including policy analysis, advocacy strategies, and intercultural communication, preparing students to effectively engage with complex human rights challenges in Latin America and beyond.

Furthermore, students benefit from the university’s strong linkages with international institutions and regional organizations, providing networking opportunities and fieldwork experiences. The programme fosters critical thinking, ethical awareness, and a global perspective, aiming to produce graduates who are well-equipped to contribute to positive change and sustainable development in Latin America. With a flexible study mode, including full-time and part-time options, students can tailor their academic journey to fit their professional and personal commitments. Upon completion, graduates will be well-positioned to pursue careers in diplomacy, human rights advocacy, policy analysis, academia, or further postgraduate study, making significant contributions to understanding and advancing human rights in Latin America.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available. We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Foundations of Human Rights;
Introduction to Contemporary Latin America;
Introduction to Latin American History; and
Spanish and/or Portuguese language option

Year 2

Spanish or Portuguese language option;
Issues and Methods in Human Rights;
Doing Research for BA Dissertation ;
one Latin American option; and
one Latin American half-option

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

Spanish or Portuguese language option;
Human Rights Colloquium;
one Latin American option; and
Final-year Dissertation.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above) or achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).
• Spanish can be started from scratch. If Portuguese is taken as the major language, you must achieve an A-level in either Portuguese or Spanish (or equivalent).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The MA in Latin American Studies with Human Rights at the University of Essex offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to understanding the social, political, cultural, and economic issues facing Latin America today. This programme is designed for students who are interested in exploring the historical context of Latin America in conjunction with contemporary human rights challenges, including social justice, inequality, political violence, and development. The course provides a solid foundation in regional studies, combining language, history, politics, and cultural studies, with a specific focus on human rights issues, advocacy, and policy analysis. Students have the opportunity to engage critically with theories of human rights, social movements, and conflict resolution, while also gaining practical skills in research, policy analysis, and advocacy techniques. The programme is taught by academics with expertise in Latin American history, politics, cultural studies, and international human rights law, ensuring a rich, multidisciplinary learning environment.

Students can expect to undertake a mix of taught modules, seminars, and independent research projects. Core modules may include topics like Latin American history, the politics of rights and justice, human rights advocacy, and contemporary social movements. Optional modules often allow students to specialize further in areas such as Latin American economic development, cultural studies, or international law. The programme also offers opportunities for fieldwork, internships, and collaborations with non-governmental organizations working within the region, providing valuable practical experience and professional networking opportunities.

Graduates of this programme will be well-equipped for careers in policy making, international development, NGO work, journalism, and academia. The programme also serves as an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue PhDs in Latin American studies, human rights, or related fields. The University of Essex’s strong network of regional expertise and its vibrant, diverse student community contribute to an enriching academic experience. Located in the UK, the university provides access to a global academic environment, while also offering modules and language support tailored to Latin American contexts. Overall, this programme aims to prepare students for meaningful engagement with one of the most dynamic regions in the world, emphasizing critical analysis, ethical awareness, and practical activism.