MSc Humanitarian Policy and Practice

UCL (University College London)

Working alongside interdisciplinary experts at UCL, you will reflect on current policies and practices, and the political economy of humanitarian action, while exploring how to identify and shape forms of humanitarian responses suited to contemporary and future challenges. Conflict, environmental disasters, disease outbreaks, and the rapidly escalating impact of the climate emergency, pose major challenges for those defending human and planetary health. We urgently need specialists and critical thinkers who understand the root causes and drivers of humanitarian crises, and who can design and deliver effective and ethical responses. Join us on this specialist, interdisciplinary Master’s degree at UCL to gain a deeper insight into the multitude of political, ethical and other challenges that shape humanitarian response today, and that will characterise humanitarian action for decades to come. As a student on this course, you will draw from real-world case studies to develop the skills and expertise that are needed to shape effective, ethically justifiable, and politically grounded humanitarian policies and programmes. By the end of your time with us, you will be in a strong position to progress in a career in the humanitarian sector, and to secure roles with diverse humanitarian organisations, research groups, civil society organisations, or government agencies. This course is designed for individuals with an interest in global issues with profound humanitarian consequences. Applicants require a relevant first degree or equivalent experience; we accept applications from people with a wide range of qualifications, and will consider professional experience where students do not have a relevant first degree. We are especially keen to support, and receive applications from, students who have lived and worked in places affected by humanitarian crises. This programme is also available on a modular (flexible) basis, with a duration of 5 calendar years.