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An introduction to
MSc/PgDip/PgCert Refugee Studies

This programme adopts an inter-disciplinary approach that builds on the perspectives of development studies, sociology, international, regional and national refugee law, international human rights, international relations, politics, economics, and anthropology.

Dissertation

The award of the MSc is conditional upon the submission of a 15-20,000 word dissertation, which forms a crucial part of the course. The units completed prior to the dissertation have as one of their subsidiary aims to equip you with the relevant background required for undertaking a research project in a particular area of Refugee Studies. The analytical and methodological skills required in researching, writing and presenting findings are fundamental to the attainment of postgraduate status, in that you undertake research under your own organisation and selfdiscipline. This requirement only applies to the MSc, a dissertation is not required for the PgDip and PgCert.


Course unit profile

Research Methods: Equips you with the knowledge and skills to use statistical tools and undertake qualitative, quantitative, and participatory research.

Images of Development: Introduces you to the analysis of development. Topics are selected for their contemporary relevance and importance to the developing societies of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

International Business Trade and Less Developed Countries: Introduces you to the influence of corporations and international trade on economic development under the conditions of globalisation. The role and responsibilities of national governments are defined by international debate and power brokerage.

Gender and Development: The concept of gender and its importance for understanding development and change are examined, as well as the social processes that give rise to the disadvantaged position of women and how this may be reversed.

International Refugee Law: Examines the legal issues pertaining to forced migration processes and how they have changed over time. This unit also deals with definitions and analysis of the basic concepts such as: refugee, asylum, protection, nonrefoulement, reception and detention of asylum seekers in international refugee law, refugee status determination procedures and assistance.

Forced Migration and Human Rights: Examines in great depth international human rights law and forced migration using different approaches, including case law. In order to help students to critically analyse, evaluate and compare and contrast the fundamental principles of human rights law and their applications in the area of forced migration, some internationally renowned scholars and practitioners (barristers and solicitors) are invited to give lectures on the different themes of the unit.

Forced Migration in Developing Societies: Amongst other areas, this unit examines the varied and the complex forms of conflicts that cause internal and external population displacement, development-induced displacement and resettlement, assistance, host government policies, relationships between host and refugees, impacts of refugees on receiving societies, self-sufficiency programmes, refugees in urban areas, integration of refugees and repatriation and construction of communities and livelihoods in countries of origin in the context of post-conflict reconstruction.

Asylum Policy in the EU and Member States: Explores the construction of a ‘refugee crisis’ in the European Union and members states, critically examines the responses of selected states to that ‘crisis’ and the impact of policy on asylum seekers and on public discourse. It traces trends and transformations in the post war period, before focusing on the different but related processes of harmonisation and convergence between EU member states.