The Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights was established in spring 2020 in reaction to present-day challenges generated by digitalization, globalization and neoliberalism. Global crises like the migration crisis, socio-economic inequalities, climate change or threats to data protection can only be exposed and confronted through an interdisciplinary human rights discourse and practice.

Manfred Nowak, Program Director

The Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights offers students an in-depth interdisciplinary education in the history, philosophy, politics, as well as legal dimension of the international human rights standards and their protection mechanisms by international organizations, such as the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Union, the African Union or the Organization of American States. In addition to the theoretical foundations, the Vienna Master teaches practical skills necessary for the work of a human rights practitioner, ranging from communication skills to project management.

In times of crises and global challenges, arts and culture, above all applied arts, have a special potential to be agents of political and social change. The aim of the Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights is to explore this potential and practical applicability of artistic and cultural work in creating opportunities for promoting, protecting and implementing human rights. This worldwide unique endeavor will tap into the untouched potential that lies at the intersection of arts and human rights to thus empower our change-makers with innovative perspectives and critical thinking. We are not looking for simple answers, but for new questions and creative strategies to tackle the global challenges of our times.

Modules

Our change-makers will be taught under a world-wide unique curriculum stimulating the 3 dimensions of a learning and growing experience for professional, ethical, critical, flexible, creative, innovative, sustainability-oriented and solution-aspired human rights practioners:
1. Knowledge; 2. Skills; 3. Attitude

These 3 dimensions are mainstreamed in all our modules:

1. Interdisciplinary Understanding of Human Rights (16 Credits)
2. Introduction to Arts and Culture (6 Credits)
3. International Protection of Human Rights (11 Credits)
4. Scientific Competence and Artistic Research (4 Credits)
5. Skills for Human Rights Practioners (19 Credits)
6. Intersection of Human Rights and Arts (14 Credits)
7. Current Human Rights Challenges and Opportunities (21 Credits)
8. Thesis / Final Project and Defense (29 Credits)

SEMESTER OVERVIEW

SEMESTER 1:
Exploring the Colours of Human Rights

Just like the effects different colours have on people’s perceptions, different academic disciplines create different lenses on human rights research and analysis. In the first semester students explore:

human rights foundations and core concepts | international and national human rights protection mechanisms | interdisciplinarity | concepts and theories of arts and culture | scientific competences | human rights on the ground in a study trip to a post-conflict country | etc.

SEMESTER 2:
Mixing Colours & Creating Shapes and Shades

Just like mixing different colours with each other, intersecting human rights and the arts create new perspectives. In the second semester students reflect on and deepen acquired interdisciplinary foundations:

human rights criticism at the intersection of arts | culture and human rights | transcending concrete global challenges and human rights problem complexes through interdisciplinary approaches | practical human rights skills | excursions to international organisations and cultural events | etc.

SEMESTER 3:
Applying Colour Mixes on the Human Rights Canvas

Just like applying vivid colours on a canvas to create a piece of art, applying an interdisciplinary approach and practical skills to tackling global challenges will create new opportunities in promoting and protecting human rights. In the third semester students work independently, apply acquired knowledge, confront challenges and seek opportunities:

project management | fact-finding skills | establishing a research project | communication skills | forms of arts and culture as responses to human rights challenges | etc.

SEMESTER 4:
Finishing and Exhibiting your Big Human Rights Picture

Just like after the end of a creative process, students will defend their interdisciplinary thesis on a human rights related topic after writing it in the fourth semester:

research for thesis | thesis writing | thesis defence | etc.

The full curriculum can be downloaded here

DIPLOMATIC AND CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF VIENNA
Students will encounter in Vienna:

• The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
• The Museum of Applied Arts (MAK)
• The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• This Human World (Human Rights Film Festival)
• United Nations Organisation for Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• ImPulsTanz (Biggest International Dance Festival)
• Etc.

Field Trip to a Post-Conflict Country
The field trip to a post-conflict area, such as Kosovo, offers students the opportunity to discuss human rights issues in post-conflict settings with international, national and local human rights institutions and civil society and gives them very practice-oriented insights into the daily human rights work and the challenges related to it.

Art & Culture Trip
The students of the Vienna Master will visit an international arts and culture festival or event experiencing the intersection of human rights and arts and the power this interplay emits.

The Vienna Master in Applied Human Rights is an interdisciplinary program welcoming applicants from all over the world regardless of their academic background; age; socio-economic, ethnic, cultural or religious background; sexual orientation and physical abilities.

The Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights is of the deep belief that a real growing, exploring and learning experience can only be achieved through the dynamic exchange of diverse academic, professional and personal experiences.

There are only two prerequesites for being considered a candidate for the the Vienna Master:

1. Completed first university or college degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS)
2. Positive result of the admission procedure

The number of places in the program each year is limited to 30 students.

Admission is based on availability, timely application (meeting the deadline), motivation and qualifications of the applicant and is also subject to the general admission requirements of the University of Applied Arts.

The application procedure entails two phases and will lead to admission by the selection committee only if the applicant has passed both phases positively. The selection committee consists of the Program Director, Senior Academic Advisor, Artistic Program Manager and Head of Office.

PHASE 1:  WRITTEN APPLICATION

1 – Signed Application Form 

2 – Motivation Letter describing your individual motivation and professional development ideas as well as your expectations of the Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights – maximum 1 page

3 – CV providing a written overview of their your previously acquired qualifications, competencies and main areas of activity (including your contact information: postal address, telephone number and email address)

4 – Administrative Documents:

1. 1. 1. Copy of valid passport
      2. *Copy of university diploma/degree certificate
      3. *Academic transcripts including final grades
      4. Proof of English language proficiency (For applicants who did not graduate from an academic program taught solely in the English language: 6.5 on the IELTS scale or 100 points on the TOEFL scale)

5 – Optional Documents:

1. 1. 1. Letter(s) of recommendation
      2. Scholarship letter stating why a scholarship from the Vienna Master program would be essential for you (Scholarship Application Deadline: 7 January 2024)

*Academic degrees and final transcripts are considered foreign official documents and must be either in German or English, and if applicable, fully legalized or validated by apostille if issued outside of Austria. This is necessary for official university enrollment and applies to all students, regardless of whether a visa and/or residency permit is required for your stay in Austria.

The type of legalization depends on the country the documents were issued in. A list of the required legalization types per country can be found here.

The application needs to be sent as one pdf document including all documents in the above listed order to  applied.humanrights@uni-ak.ac.at

PHASE 2: PERSONAL INTERVIEW

The applicant will only be invited to the interview (via ZOOM) if the application contains all necessary documents and the selection committee has shortlisted the candidate.

The applicants will then be interviewed about:

• their motivation to undertake the Vienna Master,
• how they wish to use this opportunity for their personal growth and
• where they envision themselves after graduating from the Master program.

Currently, the University of Applied Arts Vienna is undergoing changes.

Therefore, we are unable to process new applications and enroll students for the autumn semester 2025.

We thank you for your understanding!

The tuition for the Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights of € 24,500 covers 2 years (4 semesters), applies to all students independent of their citizenship and is not subject to VAT.

The Vienna Master is a postgraduate program* offering highly individualised educational services and guidance and accepts a maximum of 30 students each year.

The tuition fees of this tailor-made program cover:

• full costs of the field trip to a post-conflict country (incl. flights, accommodation and travel insurance)
• full costs of the study trip to an international arts & culture festival (incl. flights, accommodation and travel insurance)
• instructions by internationally renowned human rights experts
• excursions/tickets in Vienna to international organizations, institutions, museums, exhibitions, festivals, etc.
• practical skills training, team building exercises, reflection sessions, project mentoring, etc.
• individualized interview and job coaching

Please note: The tuition fee does not cover costs for travel to and accommodation in Vienna, subsistence expenses, costs for the residence permit and health insurance.

*Postgraduate programs are not state-funded programs and therefore all costs are to be borne through tuition fees and/or scholarship funding.

If you face financial hurdles, kindly apply for a tuition fee waiver (more info can be found in Scholarships section below).

The Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights is well aware of the hurdles tuition fees might put in front of applicants and therefore aims to support as many students as possible with financial aid to cover fully or partially the program fee.

The scholarship is a tuition fee waiver and does not cover accommodation or living costs in Vienna.

The number of scholarships and the amounts are subject to yearly contributions by our funders, who form the economic advisory board of our program. Only excellent candidates with outstanding academic or professional performances will be nominated for the selection by our economic advisory board, which ultimately appoints the scholarship holder(s).

Since funding from donors is limited, candidates from the Global South are given preference. Persons with recognized refugee status or subsidiary protection in Austria are highly encouraged to apply. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please send us in addition to your complete application a letter stating why you would need the scholarship. Kindly check the application deadlines under Application Process.

SCHOLARSHIP LETTERS MUST BE SUBMITTED TOGETHER WITH PROGRAM APPLICATIONS BY: 7 JANUARY 2024

We strongly encourage applicants to additionally apply at other relevant institutions or foundations for a scholarship to cover the tuition fee and/or living costs in Vienna.