Centre for Human Rights in Pretoria, University of Pretoria South Africa invites applications for the Masters Scholarship in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa in the 2020/21 session.

The HRDA is a  one-year intensive course where 25-30 exceptional individuals spend six months in Pretoria and six months at one of the 12 partner universities all over Africa. They are taught by eminent lecturers in the field of human rights and undergo many practical training exercises.

It is the only course of its kind in Africa. Graduates become members of the HRDA Alumni Association whose 537 members are currently active in the full spectrum of human rights work: from grassroots, through civil service, to international organisations including the African Union and the United Nations.

Benefits of Masters Scholarship in Human Rights

• Approximate cost: US$ 15 000
• There are up to 25 FULL Scholarships available for African citizens.

To be eligible for Masters Scholarship in Human Rights, applicants must fulfil the following requirements.

The LLM/MPhil in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa is a unique programme to which 25 to 30 individuals from African countries with the following degrees and preferably experience in the field of human rights are admitted:

• Law students
  A degree allowing access to the legal profession (eg LLB or licence en droit)
• Other students (non-law students)
  An Honours degree in a discipline relevant to human rights and democratisation 
• In addition to the general admission requirements, the following specific selection criteria are used in combination to select the eligible students:
• a demonstrated professional, academic and personal interest in and commitment to human rights and democratisation in Africa.
• an indication that the applicant would be likely to put the qualification to good use in his or her future career, preferably in his or her country of origin (the ‘multiplier effect’);
• geographic representation(in the sense that an overrepresentation of students from a particular African country will be avoided, given the pan-African scope and ambitions of the programme);
• gender representation (in the sense that an equitable balance between women and men is sought);
• equitable representation of persons from vulnerable communities (such as persons with disabilities, persons belonging to indigenous communities and LGBTI persons).

How to Apply

• Applications for the programme to study at the University of Pretoria are fully online.
• All applications are handled via the online system Submittable.
• Applicants must be in possession of the first degree in Law (LLB, licence en droit or licenciatura em direito) or an Honours degree relevant to human rights and democratisation.
• All documents uploaded must be typewritten.
• The following documents will be requested during your application:
• Previous academic records/transcripts
• Previous degree certificate(s)
• Copy of bio-data page of passport
• A good quality photograph of yourself
• For applicants who did not obtain their qualifications in English: TOEFL, SAT1 or IELTS Test certificate.