| Key information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| University | Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna | ||
| Country | Italy – Pisa | ||
| Learning mode | On-Campus for the didactical phase (January 2026-July 2026); internships and draft of dissertation may take place anywhere in the world. | ||
| Pace | Full-time, Part-time | ||
| Duration | from 13.01.2026 to 31.05.2027 | ||
| Tuition fee | € 6.500,00 for 1st round of selections (early bird discount); € 7.500,00 for the 2nd round of selections | ||
| Application deadline(s) | 1st round: June 19, 2025; 2nd round: August 28, 2025 | ||
| Official Website | Click here | ||
The Master in Human Rights and Conflict Management is designed to provide students from different cultures and backgrounds with a deep understanding of the linkages between human rights and conflict management theory and practice. The curriculum, strongly field oriented, prepares participants for working with NGOs, governments, aid agencies, the UN system and regional organizations, also operating in the context of complex emergencies and joint operations.
The Master starts on January 13th, 2026 and runs until Spring 2027. The syllabus of the Master Program, in addition to individual studying and the preparation of a final written project (project work), will cover about 440 hours of classroom lectures and at least 480 hours of internship or job experience. The didactical phase, to be held in Pisa, runs from January 2026 until July 2026. The internship/job experience, to be carried out anywhere in the world, lasts three or more months starting from August/September 2026.
Training objectives
The main educational goals of the Master in Human Rights and Conflict Management are as follows:
- To train high-rank professionals who will work in design, management and monitoring positions within the programs and actions promoted by national, regional, international or non-governmental organizations, for the double purpose of protecting human rights and preventing, mitigating or solving conflicts.
- To train professionals who will combine, in a dynamic, non-sequential way, critical knowledge and technical-operational skills as the key components of an extremely professional service in complex situations.
- To train professionals who are aware of the mutual connections between the protection of human rights and conflict management, and who possess a sound juridical and methodological background and practical-operational skills in such areas.
- To train professionals who, in the design and management of actions and in decision-making processes, will keep into account the historical, geopolitical, economic dimensions as well as the “gender” component and the complexity of the intercultural relations.
Program
The Master program is divided into two modules with specific courses:
- Module I (January-March): Philosophical perspectives on Human Rights | UN Human Rights standards and mechanisms | Regional Human Rights standards and mechanisms | Conflict Studies | International Humanitarian Law | International Law | Team Building
- Module II (April-July): Migration Law | International Criminal Law | Business and Human Rights | Human Rights Field Operations | Selected Issues on Human Rights | International PK & PB Operations | International Humanitarian Operations | International Electoral Observation | Conflict Management | Personal Safety and Security | Stress Management | First Aid | Project Cycle Management and Project Development |
How to apply
The Master is open to a maximum of 28 candidates. Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
(1) Have a three-year (at least) university degree or equivalent. Students expecting to graduate before December 31, 2025 are also eligible.
(2) Understand, speak and write English at least at LEVEL B2, (CEFR for Languages, CoE).
Scholarships
A limited number of partial waivers could be available, depending on financial availabilities, to citizens of non-OECD countries who are eligible for release of a visa for Italy. Selected applicants may apply for the partial waiver of the tuition fee by motivating their request in a detailed manner on their application form. Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna reserves the right to determine the amount of each contribution and the awarding criteria.