ERMA, European Regional Master's Programme in Democracy and Human Rights in South East Europe

Overview

The European Regional Master's Programme in Democracy and Human Rights in South East Europe (ERMA - GC South East Europe)

is a prestigious double-degree program coordinated by the University of Sarajevo and the University of Bologna. ERMA awards 60 ECTS credits through an interdisciplinary curriculum in a highly international setting. The programme integrates lectures with practical research experiences, quality academic tutoring, internships, field trips, and a one-month residential component in Italy where students write their MA theses.

According to an annual survey by the Global Campus, 97% of ERMA graduates secure employment within six months of graduation.

Master Details

ERMA is based on the long-lasting cooperation of 11 partner universities from the SEE region and Europe, under the coordination by the University of Sarajevo and the University of Bologna. Students receive diplomas from both coordinating universities after having obtained ECTS.

What

ERMA offers an intensive one year experience in the field of democracy and human rights studies with specific regional focus on the SEE. Recognizing that human rights are a crosscutting theme among different disciplines of study, such as political science, social sciences, law, sociology, and philosophy, ERMA nurtures strong interdisciplinary approach.

The students benefit from studying together with colleagues from all over the region, European Union and rest of the world, and have the chance to:

• Benefit full scholarships covering tuition fees, living and travel expenses
• Study in a highly international and multicultural environment
• Experience advanced learning combined with empirical workshops, exercises, and skill-building semiars
• Participate in comprehensive courses on methodology of academic research and writing
• Benefit from full academic assistance by a team of academic tutors
• Acquire working and research experience throughout the 6-week internship period in countries of the SEE
• Take part in mobility period at the University of Bologna
• Participate in the Global Campus joint activities
• Receive awards for best MA thesis; best MA defense; MA thesis publication; and 6 months internship scholarship
• Become members of the ERMA Alumni Network and the Global Campus Alumni Association

Why

The ERMA programme is a point of reference for the teaching of human rights and democratization at university level in the SEE area, and one of the pioneer EU projects in the higher education sector in the post-conflict regional dimension.

In its almost 20 years of tradition, the programme has graduated over 500 human rights professionals, who rejoined their societies as agents of change.

The uniqueness of the structure and teaching curricula gives the opportunity to students to gain interdisciplinary knowledge and expertise but also offers the chance to acquire working and research experience in most of the key regional NGOs, governmental institutions, think-tanks, and academic institutions.

The courses on the methodology of academic research and writing, the assistance by the academic tutors and the intensive MA thesis field research and writing process, give a broad academic dimension to the programme, and allow students to develop the necessary skills of academic writing and research.

For purposes of mobility, cultural diversity, and flexibility students spend 45 days at the University of Bologna Residential Center of Bertinoro, where they complete their theses and foster multicultural skills and adaptability while living together. Moreover, the programme attracts students, scholars, and experts from the region and beyond establishing a global network of human rights professionals producing fruitful professional cooperation and life- long friendships among its graduates.

The programme has three major components:

• Lectures at the University of Sarajevo
• Internship at NGOs/INGOs in the South East Europe region
• Thesis writing at the University of Bologna

The programme lasts two semesters:

–  I Semester: October to February | University of Sarajevo
Courses:

• 1. Philosophy and Theory of Human Rights and Democracy
• 2. Nationalism, Identity and Conflict
• 3. Democratisation and EU Integration
• 4. UN and European Human Rights Systems
• 5. Research Methodologies

– II Semester: March – July | University of Sarajevo
Courses:

• 1. Peace and Human Rights
• 2. Elective courses: Children’s Rights; Migration and Human Rights; Environmental Rights and Global Challenges (students choose one) 

– Internship

• In May, students complete a one-month internship at selected IGOs, NGOs, think tanks, and research institutes across the SEE region. This experience provides professional exposure to human rights and democracy work, enhancing students’ mobility and international experience, and enabling field research for their Master’s thesis. Learn more about ERMA curricular internships.

– Thesis Writing: June – July | Bertinoro Centre of the University of Bologna 

• Throughout the year, students receive support from academic tutors. During this 1-month residential component in Bertinoro (Italy), students focus on writing their Master’s thesis, enjoy living together, and travel around Italy for short excursions and field visits. The University Residential Centre is located in the picturesque medieval town of Bertinoro.

– Thesis Defense: September – early October | University of Sarajevo