Fully Funded MA in Human Rights and Democracy in South East Europe

About Master’s Program,

ERMA is a one-year interdisciplinary Master’s programme coordinated by the University of Sarajevo (UNSA), Professor Zdravko Grebo Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS) and the University of Bologna (UNIBO), Department of Political and Social Sciences. The Programme awards students with 60 ECTS and a double-degree diploma from both founding universities. It is a part of the Global Campus of Human Rights (GCHR), a unique network of over 100 universities, seeking to advance human rights and democracy through regional and global cooperation. Programme is co-funded by the European Union.

Our programme is intended for students passionate about democracy, human rights, and social justice who wish to combine theory with practical and field research experience together with mobility around the SEE region and Italy. ERMA fosters an interdisciplinary approach, and the curriculum contains 6 core courses: Foundations of Human Rights; Nationalism, Identity and Conflict; Democratisation and EU Integration; International Human Rights Norms and Standards; Mechanisms of Human Rights Protection and Implementation as well as Research Methodologies. Courses explore a range of contemporary issues, from gender equality, de-democratisation, climate change and environmental rights to migration and children’s rights in SEE.

Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,   

I ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

The previous university degree of the applicants must be earned during studies lasting either 4 or 5 years (3+2) with a minimum of 240 ECTS. Candidates must hold a university degree in social sciences or humanities from an accredited university.

II ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Candidates have to provide evidence of English language proficiency. The Programme recognizes the following international English Language certificates:

1. TOEFL – minimum 560 paper-based, 220 computer-based, 83 IBT;
2. IELTS – minimum band 6.5, no less than 6.0 in any of its subsections;
3. Cambridge C1 (former CAE) and C2 (former CPE) exams.
4. Duolingo test certificate – minimum 115

Applicants with English as a native language, a university diploma in English language and literature, and those who had previous university education in the English language are exempt from providing a separate proficiency certificate. Such candidates submit transcripts or certificates issued by their respective universities.

Master’s Funding Coverage,

All TGI and TGII students receive a study grant of 5.400€ gross, covering basic living costs in Sarajevo, paid in several installments. They also get up to 1.500€ travel and other reimbursements, and have the costs of lodging and dining for one month in Italy covered.

TGIII students, citizens of countries other than SEE, EU and Azarbaijan, are self-funded. Depending on the number and the quality of applications, the Programme reserves the right to offer several self-funded places to TG II candidates.

Application Requirement,

Application documents must be in the English language. When the original is in a language other than English, a translation by an official service (verified with a stamp) or your university/college must be provided, together with a scan of the original document. Please make sure that scans of any certified copy include pages with an official certification stamp.

1. University diploma (both BA and MA where applicable)
2. Academic records/transcripts (both BA and MA where applicable)
3. English language certificate
4. Citizenship certificate
5. Birth certificate
6. Passport photocopy (page with personal data and expiry date only)

Note: Scans of certified copies must include pages with the certification stamp. Late and incomplete applications will not be included in the selection process.

Application Deadline,

Sep 16, 2025

Application Fee,

Please refer official website