MSc in Children's Rights
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Jul 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,500 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: £7,300 | England, Scotland or Wales: £9,250 | EU Other and International: £21,500
Introduction
This programme meets the increasing demand for a postgraduate qualification in Children's Rights, explicitly focused on interdisciplinary research and child rights-based research methods.
The programme aims to provide high-level knowledge and skills in children's rights law and practice of value to those working with and for children, including public officials and NGOs as well as educators, social workers and health care providers.
The programme will develop your expertise in two distinct but interconnected areas:
Children's Rights - using the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international standards to evaluate the laws, policies and practices which affect children.
Research with Children - evaluating the best methods of conducting research into children's lives with a particular focus on approaches which involve children actively in the research process.
The course will provide you with a thorough grounding in these two areas and the opportunity to explore a range of contexts in which these perspectives can be used to better understand children’s lives and secure improved outcomes for children.
Children's Rights highlights
Industry Links
We have extensive links with local and international NGOs and can provide some opportunities for students to undertake relevant research. This may be of particular interest if you want to gain experience in the children’s sector, perhaps to secure a job or to change position.
Internationally Renowned Experts
This programme is linked to the Centre for Children's Rights (CCR), which has an international reputation in the area of children's rights with a focus on the implementation of children's rights, child participation, education, social care and children with disabilities. The CCR has a vibrant community of PhD students undertaking research on a range of issues in several countries.
The programme features input from leading international Children's Rights scholars at Queen's and from around the world. Students become a members of the globally renowned Centre for Children’s Rights with access to activities such as reading groups, seminars by internal and visiting speakers and social events.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We offer prestigious, competitive scholarships of up to 50% off tuition fees to new international students. You must have an offer to study a full-time course with us in 2024 to apply for a scholarship.
Curriculum
Hosted by the internationally renowned Centre for Children’s Rights, this MSc builds on existing specialisms across children’s rights law, policy and practice. A blended learning approach has been adopted, which includes a mixture of face-to-face and online learning, traditional lectures, workshops, condensed modules, online discussion forums and guest speakers.
The MSc is awarded to students who successfully complete 120 CATS points from the taught modules and a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation (60 CATS points).
Exit qualifications are available: students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.
Modules 20 CATS modules generally involve 20 contact hours per semester, and 10 CATS modules generally involve ten contact hours per semester. Contact hours often include a blend of face-to-face lectures/ workshops and online sessions.
Year 1
Core Modules
- Children's Rights and Participation
- Foundations of Children's Rights
- Perspectives on Childhood and Youth
- Childhood and Youth Research in Practice
- Dissertation
- An Introduction to Research Methods: Children, Young People and Education
Rankings
Our educational research has been ranked 4th within the UK in relation to research intensity, with 87% assessed as ‘internationally excellent or world leading’ (REF, 2014).
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
There is increasing demand for high-level skills in interdisciplinary research, participatory research methods and knowledge of children's rights. Professionals within children/human rights-focused NGOs, public officials, educators, social workers and health professionals who work with children should find this degree beneficial. The MSc is a good foundation for students wishing to pursue their own research through doctoral study.
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
Previous graduates have been successful in gaining jobs with international and national children’s rights NGOs, while others have gone on to pursue doctoral studies. Many of our graduates have also undertaken the course as a form of professional development within their existing careers in areas such as law, medicine, education, social work and policy development.
Additional Awards Gained
Students who choose to conduct dissertation research in Northern Ireland involving participants under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure Check with Access NI, costing £33. This cost will be incurred in Year 1 for full time students and in Year 3 for part-time students.
Prizes and Awards
Teachers working on classroom-based dissertation projects may apply for the Northern Ireland Centre for Educational Research (NICER) award.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.