Master of Human Rights
Make a difference with AUT's Master of Human Rights, and turn your passion for human rights issues into a career. Unique in New Zealand, the programme attracts students from diverse backgrounds and professions - from business and law to the social sciences, communications and emergency services.
This interdisciplinary programme can open up opportunities in international human rights organisations, government, policy agencies, human rights institutions and national NGOs in New Zealand and overseas. It’s also great if you’re currently working in law, regulatory agencies, human rights or education.
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum of a B grade average or higher in courses at level 7 or equivalent
International student entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent
You develop a sound understanding of advocacy, treaty body reporting, human rights campaigning and media strategies – key skills if you want to work in a human rights organisation. You become familiar with the global context and New Zealand’s progress in human rights, human rights communication and advocacy, methods of human rights investigation, policy development and analysis.
To complete this programme you attend a series of block courses, delivered by international experts.
Courses you study
- SOSC801 Human Rights in Global Context
- SOSC802 Human Rights in New Zealand: History, Institutions and Impact
- SOSC803 Special Topic in Human Rights
- SOSC804 Human Rights Communication and Advocacy: Theory and Practice
- SOSC805 Human Rights Policy and Analysis
- SOSC806 Human Rights Research Methods
- SOSC995 Applied Research Project and SOSC800 Human Rights Reading Course Or
- SOSC987 Dissertation
Applied research project
At the heart of the programme is the applied research project. In 2016, Master of Human Rights students focused on the issue of youth homelessness, drawing on their diverse skillsets to create a documentary highlighting the harsh realities of homeless youth. On Our Doorstep: A Voice for Homeless Youth has since screened at a number of film festivals as well as the New Zealand Housing Conference.
In 2017, Master of Human Rights students explored the topic of extending suffrage to under 18-year-olds.
Teaching staff on the Master of Human Rights
- Associate Professor Jane Verbitsky
- Associate Professor Love Chile
- Dr Kirsten Hanna (programme leader)
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.
Career opportunities for graduates include human rights work in:
- Government
- Policy agencies
- National human rights institutions
- International and national NGOs
Key semester dates
($10,028 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
($55,350 tuition fees + $1,719 student services levy)
2025 fee: $59,387 (for 180 points)
($57,600 tuition fees + $1,787 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.