Summer Schools about Refugee Rights and Migration

Summer School on Refugee & Migrant Health – World Health Organization – Çeşme, Turkey

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), hosts a summer school on Refugee & Migrant Health. This is a 5-day intensive course designed to help participants better understand the health needs of migrants and refugees and manage the health systems they encounter. The course includes general sessions, workshops, discussions, and an all-day field trip to a nearby location that regularly receives new arrivals of refugees and migrants. Other events will also be provided for students to network with each other and professionals in the field. Sessions and workshops cover topics such as mental health, maternal and child health, elderly care, cultural competency, health care at the border, and more.

This program is specifically geared towards high-level professionals in the health field, government officials, policy-makers in related areas, public health experts, journalists, and staff from international and non-governmental organizations. Researchers, PhD students, and other academics in related fields are also able to attend. A maximum of 70 participants are accepted to the program. The program is delivered in English.

The cost to apply to this program is €1000, which covers the tuition and most other various expenses during the 5 days.

Summer Course on Migration & Human Rights – United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) – Rome, Italy

UNICRI offers a one-week summer course on Migration & Human Rights. This course discusses various policies and methods for protecting migrant populations, enforcing against human rights violations to these groups, and more. The workshops and sessions students will participate in cover topics such as international migration, trafficking, and asylum law; internally displaced people; irregular migration; migration and rural development; religions of migrant groups; development and integration; and global displacement. Students gain interdisciplinary perspectives on these topics through lectures, discussions, case studies, and practical exercises.

This course is designed for young professionals working in fields that encounter migrants on a regular basis, government officials, researchers, PhD students and other academics, and other development professionals working for international and non-governmental organizations. In order to be eligible to apply, students must hold at least a 3-year degree in a relevant field and speak fluent English. Students will have the chance to network with and learn from international experts, well-respected academics, and other peers.

Cost of attendance is $1,100 for general participants. Students and graduates of John Cabot University, the host university, pay $900. Accomodation costs €250 per person at the university’s apartments. Students must attend all classes in order to receive their certification upon completion of the course.

International Summer School in Forced Migration – University of Oxford – Oxford, UK

The University of Oxford has an International Summer School in Forced Migration, a 2-week intensive course covering topics related to forced migration. The program is designed to help students critically reflect on the systems and institutions currently impacting groups people. Students attend lectures, discussions, and seminars taught by leading academics and professionals in the field of migration. Students also participate in a tutor group throughout the course period. Students can choose to specialize in a specific topic under the umbrella of forced migration, such as human smuggling, Palestine refugees and international law; psychosocial support for forced migration groups; and the ethics and politics of humanitarianism. These specialization topics vary from year to year.

The program accepts around 70-80 students per year from all over the world. The course is designed for policymakers and practitioners working on issues related to forced migration and refugee protection. Most of the participants have several (5+) years of work experience. The students usually come from various international and non-governmental organizations working directly with refugees and migrants, as well as postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers, among other academics. Lawyers and advocates working in refugee and human rights law, journalists, and activists are also welcome to attend. To be eligible, an applicant must be currently working with issues related to migration and refugees, have their first degree completed, and speak English fluently.

The cost to attend is £3,375, which includes tuition, accommodation, course materials, lunch, and various events and activities. Participants are recommended to be expected to spend £20–£25 per day on other expenses. Some funding is available for students who are nationals or residents in a developing country working with refugees or migrants.

Summer School on Migration and Integration: Refugees, Rights & Realities – University of Amsterdam – Amsterdam, Netherlands

University of Amsterdam hosts a 19-day summer school on Migration and Integration: Refugees, Rights & Realities. Students learn about various issues related to refugees and forced migration, migrant integration and experience, refugee rights, refugee law, relevant politics and policies, and more. Students will participate in various lectures and discussions, as well as a field trips related to the program. Students will gain a deeper understanding of what causes people to flee their homes, how this impacts various communities, and how to successfully integrate migrants into their new home cities and countries. Courses are taught from a variety of perspectives, including law, anthropology, crisis management, political science, and more on both macro and micro levels.

This summer school is designed for both current students in relevant areas of study, as well as professionals looking to continue their education and gain more expertise. Students must show they are in good academic standing, and professionals must be able to show how relevant experience and how they will apply what they learn to their work.

An application fee of €25 is required. Tuition costs € 1575 and housing is an additional €500-550. Students from the University of Amsterdam may be eligible for a full-tuition fee waiver. Other various scholarships are available to students based on a number of eligibility requirements such as first generation students, students of LERU or U21 universities, residents of Greenland, and more. The Summer Programmes Travel Grant is available to any international student applying to the program.

Migration Summer School – European University Institute / Migration Policy Centre – Florence, Italy

The Migration Policy Centre and European University Institute offer a Migration Summer School. This 2-week course takes sociological, legal, economic, anthropological, and political approaches to the study of migration. Students participate in lectures, workshops, active discussions, and independent study and research. Students will gain a deeper understanding of migration-related topics such as causes and effects of migration, international cooperation in migration, refugees and asylum seekers, trafficking and smuggling, policy dialogue, and more. Students will also participate in simulation exercises. The summer school will also feature various book launches for published works relating to issues of migration.

This course is designed for researchers and professionals from international and non-governmental organizations working with migrant groups, as well as government officials working directly with migration. PhD students and other academics are also encouraged to apply. To be eligible, participants must have a relevant master’s degree or equivalent experience, a strong professional/research background in migration, fluency in English, and full availability to attend the entire program.

The cost of attendance is €2200, which covers tuition, accommodations, course materials, access to the EUI library and wifi, social activities, lunches, and coffee breaks. The School of Transnational Governance offers 7 merit-based scholarships, covering the full tuition/expense fee and travel costs. These scholarships are available to students from low/middle income countries in Africa and Asia who are PhD students or early-to-mid-career professionals working closely with policy and issues related to migration.

Migration Summer School – European Law & Governance School – Athens, Greece

The European Law & Governance School has a Migration Summer School, a week-long course covering various topics relating to refugees and migrants. Students will gain an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current migration situation and policies throughout Europe, especially relating to the refugee crisis. They will take courses pertaining to topics like public health, education, border control, housing, crime, racism and xenophobia, integration, employment, religion, and more. Students will gain theoretical and practical skills through lectures, interactive discussions, and site-visits to various organizations and agencies supporting and working with refugees and migrants in Athens.

This program is open to professionals from government and non-governmental organizations, PhD and master’s level students, and professionals and practitioners from other various sectors. Professionals and students from any and all disciplines are welcome to attend. PhD students and researchers will also be able to attend and have the chance to present their research. Students will also have the chance to meet and network with key stakeholders and experts in the field of migration.

The cost of the program is €500 which covers tuition and transportation. The program can provide an accommodation package upon request, on a first come first serve basis. Course materials will be provided to students, but they are encouraged to bring their own laptop and other resources they may want to use throughout the course period.

Summer School on International Migration, Social Integration and Public Policy – The London School of Economics and Political Science – London, UK

The London School of Economics and Political Science offers a summer school on International Migration, Social Integration and Public Policy. This 3-week course addresses current issues in migration, effectiveness and differences in national migration policies, international cooperation in migration, employment, integration, and multiculturalism. Students will participate in lectures and classes to gain an in-depth understanding of the politics, policies, theoretical perspectives, academic and policy debates, and policy options relating to the topic of migration.

This program is designed specifically for students. The only prerequisite is that applicants must have taken at least one introductory course in social science, history, or law. There is no restriction on students from any level of study (undergraduate, master’s, PhD) participating in the course. Professionals and practitioners can also apply to attend.

Tuition for a one-session program is £2,300 for current university students anywhere in the world and £3,300 for all other applicants. Students must also pay a £50 application fee. Students may choose to take a 1-week English prep course for an additional fee. Students currently attending LSE or who have previously attended LSE may receive a 15% discount.

Summer Course on Refugees and Forced Migration  – York University – Toronto, Canada

York University hosts a summer course on Refugees and Forced Migration. This 5-day program offered through the Centre for Refugee Studies is an interdisciplinary, interactive, and experiential course focused on the political, economic, social, and cultural contexts of forced migration. Students gain a deepened understanding of these issues through lectures, small group discussions, networking, and idea collaboration. Students will see first-hand examples of work being done all around the world and be able to learn from expert academics and practitioners involved in research, publication, and policy work. Each year, the course program directly addresses current issues, trends, and policies that are impacting the world in various ways related to forced migration and refugees.

This course is designed for both academics and field-based professionals working directly with issues relating to refugees and forced migration. Participants can include government officials, non-governmental and international organization staff members, university faculty, and students. Students who are applying must have completed their first degree by the start of the program. All applicants must also be fluent in English.

The general fee for this program is $1500 (CAD), not including additional tax. Students can save $425 by registering for the Early Bird deadline. This fee includes tuition, course materials, lunch, and coffee breaks. Students must arrange their own travel and accommodations but can do so through the university’s accommodation options.

International Summer School on Migration – International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) – Georgia

The ICMPD, in conjunction with MOBILAZE, ENIGMMA 2, and the Prague Process Dialogue, Analyses and Training in Action, offers an International Summer School on Migration. This week-long program engages students with a number of topics relating to migration, including an introduction to migration studies, migration and development, migration and economy, perception of migrants, migration law, migration data, and more. Students participate in traditional lectures, as well as research, practical exercises, and interactive discussions. This program is taught by leading experts, academics, and professionals in the field of migration studies from universities around the world, as well as staff from the ICMPD.

This summer school is open to students from the following countries: Armenia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The program accepts up to 75 students from a variety of professions and academic fields of study, including migration studies, journalism, law, economy, demography, history, social/political sciences, and more. The program is built especially for young professionals working in careers that deal with migration issues.

All costs for the program are covered by the organizing institutions. Students receive free tuition and accommodation, and the school also helps cover travel and transportation costs. Students must apply by the listed deadlines; the selection process is extensive and only accepted applicants will be notified.

Conceptualizing, Navigating, and Representing the Field in Migration Studies – Central European University – Budapest, Hungary

Central European University offers a summer school on Conceptualizing, Navigating, and Representing the Field in Migration Studies, a 5-day course that aims to help students gain a deeper understanding of field work theory and practice relating to migration studies. The program material is taught by expert academics from interdisciplinary backgrounds to help students gain a comprehensive view on migration studies. This school is especially designed to focus on field work with migrant groups, helping students to gain knowledge and skills in relevant political and social aspects of migration studies, and to think critically about how field work is developed and implemented. Students will learn through non-traditional, interactive lectures, as well as group work sessions and peer-to-peer engagement.

This course is specifically focused on field work in migration studies, so it will be most relevant for professionals working on the ground and at the programmatic level with migrant groups. The school also reserves two-thirds of the program spots for PhD students and researchers who have done fieldwork or postdoctoral fellowships. Students must be fluent in English.

The tuition fee is €300 (€270 for Early Bird registration). Students should expect to pay €17-28 per night for accommodation at the university and to spend a total of €150-200 in living expenses for the duration of the program. The university can offer a small number of tuition fee waivers and accommodation bursaries for students who cannot afford the cost. The program also encourages students to apply for travel grants and scholarships through their home university departments.

Summer School on Migrants, Human Rights, Democracy – University of Palermo – Palermo, Italy

The University of Palermo offers a summer school on Migrants, Human Rights, and Democracy, a 5-day course focusing specifically on the fields of forced migration, human mobility, refugees, and Roma studies. Students will gain insight into relevant topics such as migrants and religion, cultural heritages, vulnerability assessment, Syrian refugees, human trafficking, social inclusion, family reunification, and more. Students will learn from expert academics from universities around the world through lectures, workshops, discussions, case studies, and a day trip.

This course is designed for professionals, master’s and PhD students, other academics, and practitioners working with migrant groups and refugees. Applicants must have a completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Students must speak fluent English. Some aspects may be taught in Italian with English translation provided.

Tuition for the program is €350, which includes the cost of course material, lunch, and coffee breaks. Students can expect to pay between €27-35 per night for accommodation at nearby hotels; this cost is not included in the price of tuition.