Masters in Human Rights - MHR 2025/26

Address

Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo.   View map

Next Intake 2025

Introduction

Human rights have evolved into a distinct academic discipline with theoretical and practical importance, drawing inspiration from several fields of study. Learning human rights also has become central to many professional careers, including law, public administration, and development work. There is a considerable need to train people to study and to undertake research in human rights at postgraduate level. The course intends to get the students engage in serious research based on different dimensions of the broad human rights discourse and to enhance their knowledge, skills, and attitudes through offering different course modules. In this year, new changes are introduced, by adding new courses to keep abreast with emerging trends in the field of human rights, and initiating suitable methods of teaching and evaluating to achieve the objectives of the course. It is wished to identify diverse needs of participants coming from various backgrounds and to cater for those

Your Wish List

Interested in Master’s in Human Rights? Add it to your wishlist! Click the “Add to Wishlist” button below and fill out the form to stay updated on program updates, New Intakes and exclusive content.

  • To educate and train students in both theoretical and practical aspects of human rights application, drawing knowledge from historical, philosophical, legal, international and domestic dimensions of human rights;
  • To generate and inculcate analytical skills among students to enable them to undertake research and to be involved in the promotion and protection of human rights;
  • To identify and describe expectations specified in the international and domestic instruments that pertain to Human Rights Education;
  • To trace generations of Human Rights and rights of different groups whose rights are at stake; To understand the conditions for ensuring effective Human Rights Education;
  • To submit a well-researched scholarly analysis of the subject matter in the form of a dissertation.

Semester 1

MHR 6101 – Research Methodology
MHR 6102 – Human Rights Theory and Practice
MHR 6103 – International and Domestic Human Rights
MHR 6104 – Human Rights and Human Security

Semester II

MHR 6201 – Forced Migration, Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees
MHR 6202 – Human Rights Protecting Mechanism/ Enforcement

Independent Research Study

By-law of MHR

  • Duration: One year
  • Weekend Programme
  • SLQF level: 9
  • Number of Credits: 30
  • Medium of Instructions: English
  • A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University/ Institute in the field of Human Rights; OR
  • Any other Bachelor’s Degree, with prior learning/ work experience in Human Rights; OR
  • Postgraduate Diploma (SLQF 8) from a recognized University/Institute or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the Faculty Board and the Senate of the University with prior learning/ work experience in Human Rights; OR
  • Professional qualification in Human Rights from a recognized professional body which is acceptable to the Faculty Board and the Senate of the University with prior learning/work experience in Human Rights; OR
  • Completion of NVQ Level 07 (Equivalent to Bachelor’s degree in SLQF) with relevant work experience in Human Rights as determined by the Faculty Board and the Senate of The University; AND
  • A good knowledge of English Language and satisfactory performance at a selection test and/or a selection Interview.
  • Each application under clauses (iii) and (v) shall be considered on its merit.
  • A person who wishes to apply for the FGS programmes shall forward the application to the Senior Assistant Registrar, Faculty of Graduate Studies, No.35/30, Pro. Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 07.
  • Applications can be downloaded from (fgs.cmb.ac.lk) the faculty website.
  • The students will be selected through an interview or a placement test or both.
  • The next intake will be announced via the website, at the time of calling for applicants.

Programme Fee for Local Students

Application Fee: LKR 3,000/-
Registration Fee: LKR 5,000/-
Course Fee: LKR 181,500/-
Library Fee: LKR 1,500/-
Examination Fee: LKR 12,000/-
(Per one paper 2,000*6)
Refundable Library Deposit: LKR 5,000/-
(Rs. 2,500/= per card)

Programme Fee for Foreign Students

Application Fee: 40 USD
Registration Fee: 65USD
Course Fee: 2342 USD
Library Fee: 19 USD
Examination Fee: 155 USD

Refundable Library Deposit: LKR 5,000/-
(Rs. 2,500/= per card)

  • Professor S. S. M. W. Seneviratne
  • Professor N. S. Punchihewa
  • Dr U. A. T. Udayanganie
  • Mr M. A. M. Hakeem
  • Mr G. I. M. Liyanage
  • Ms T. R. Galappaththige
  • Mr. K. A. A. N. Thilakarathne
  • Mr T. K. L. Hewa Geeganage

Course Coordinator

Professor Wasantha Seneviratne
MPhil, University of Colombo

Email: wasantha@law.cmb.ac.lk
Mobile: 077 373 92 08/0707739208

Course Assistant

Ms. Kulani

Email: mhr@fgs.cmb.ac.lk
Phone: (+94) 11 205 56 56

TOP