Master's Degree Programme
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September (no winter intake) |
The Master’s degree programme in Human Security is based on the UN’s Human Security approach and focusses on conflict and environmental issues. During recent years and partly due to the work of the UN, the concept of ‘human security’ has become a rallying point for understanding and working with processes of (human) development in unstable environments. Growing challenges posed by global environmental changes threaten to trigger a rapid escalation of conflicts throughout the world. Intensified competition over scarce resources, dwindling supplies of essential commodities, and a continued increase in global population rates are just some of these challenges. Thus, as a student of Human Security you learn how to analyse and intervene in these settings comprised of complex and interwoven social, environmental, economic, and political factors. Alongside, you develop the ability to carry out an informed and critical analytical assessment of human safety by combining scientific theories with real-life experiences.
The Master’s degree programme in Human Security is the first of its kind in Europe. The programme is the result of a collaboration between the School of Culture and Society, the Department of Biology, and the Department of Agroecology. The teachers instructing the Human Security programme are from various departments and backgrounds and are supported by visiting lecturers from around the globe. During the programme’s two years (120 ECTS) of interdisciplinary studies, you will achieve a deeper understanding of conflicts and ecosystems around the world and learn about different approaches to human security.
The programme is active on social media, where we encourage you to find more information and become inspired by former and current students. Take a look at our Programme community site, our Facebook page and our LinkedIn group.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the master's degree programme in Human Security. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below you will also be able to learn more about language requirements and find out whether or not this master's degree programme has a limited intake.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
| Studies within social science, environment-related studies or conflict-related studies | 90 |
We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission.
There is no Bachelor's degree programme that provides a legal right of admission to the Master's degree programme in Human Security.
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in Human Security:
This master's degree programme has a limited intake.
Because of the limited intake all qualified applicants will be prioritised according to a set of selection critieria (see below).
Meeting the admission requirements does not automatically ensure your offer of admission. Only if you have a specific bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'legal right of admission' will you be guarenteed an offer of admission to this master's degree programme.
If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of vacant places, the following criteria will be taken into account in the selection process (each criterion counts as 1/3):
1. Grade level from qualifying degree programme
2. Relevant subject areas (expressed in ECTS credits). This assessment does not include ECTS credits, which are part of the admission requirements described under 'Other degree programmes that may give access'.
Society-related studies
Environment-related studies
3. Other relevant experience
Description of relevance in English. The description should be 1-2 pages long and explain:
The academic relevance of your Bachelor's degree in relation to the Master's degree programme in Human Security
Which courses in your Bachelor’s degree programme meet the academic admission requirement for the MSc in Human Security
A Curriculum Vitae (CV), which describes your relevant education and professional experience in chronological order
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
As a student it is important to know the regulations for your chosen subject: what is the content, how is it structured and what does it require from you. You can find this information in the academic regulations.
In the following graphical presentation of the subject you can see the different modules and courses that, in addition, link to the course catalogue where you can read the course descriptions.
Students of Human Security can specialise by choosing a profile course, a project placement, or a period of study abroad:
Group work is an integral aspect of studying in the Human Security programme. This type of learning allows for a deep discussion and analysis of literature and case studies pertaining to the study of human security. The programme is an interdisciplinary programme, both in terms of academic content and amongst the participating students: Students who join the programme not only come from all over the world, but also come from many different academic backgrounds (humanities, social science, and natural science), which helps to enliven and enrich the learning atmosphere. Thus, in addition to the diversified lectures the programme provides, our students have the unique opportunity to learn directly from each other as well.
To support our students, we begin the supervision process already in the first semester. Each student is assigned a supervisor based on their personal research interests, and your supervisor will help guide you through the process of planning your thesis proposal and data collection. Your supervisor is in contact with you during your project placement and also supports you during the process of writing your master thesis. We value that all of our students receive equal guidance and graduate on time. Therefore, we have created a structured scheme to ensure the quality of supervision amongst students.
The Human Security Master’s programme is continuously evolving in the creation of an exciting study environment. The study environment is heavily influenced by our students, who have the opportunity to participate in the Students’ Committee. The committee’s vision is to create an inspiring learning environment outside scheduled university hours, as well as provide a social and professional network to one another. This is done through three main focus areas which students can work with on a voluntary basis: Outreach & Discussion, Social Events and Media & Communication. The Students’ Committee manifesto can be seen here.
In addition, knowledge-sharing amongst current and former students is done through various social media platforms associated with the Human Security programme. Such knowledge-sharing allows you as a current and former student the possibility to continuously develop your abilities and knowledge in the field of human security through the webwork of individuals connected to the programme, both past and present. Take a look at our Programme community site, our Facebook page and our LinkedIn group.
The Human Security programme is taught at the beautiful Moesgaard Campus, just next to Marselisborg forest, and close to the ocean. At the campus, you have access to the library, group rooms, and quiet study spaces. You also have the option to reserve a spot in the library for writing your thesis. From Aarhus city centre, you have easy access to the Moesgaard Campus by bus, car, or bike.
As a student at Moesgaard, you can also access the Moesgaard Museum for free by showing your student card and letter of enrollment.
The campus has its own Friday bar — “BarBaren” — where you can relax after a knowledge-packed week, get to know your fellow Human Security students, or meet students from other studies at the Moesgaard campus, like those studying Anthropology or Archeology.
As the second-largest city in Denmark, Aarhus is a young and dynamic place with plenty of opportunities. The 40,000 students at the university make up 17.5% of the city’s population, which leaves its mark on city life. An attractive feature of Aarhus is that there are beaches and woods only a short bike-ride away, as well as cultural events which place throughout the year, including the Aarhus Festival in September. The theatres in the city and the ARoS international art museum offer many events that allow you to more fully experience Danish culture.
Why choose Aarhus? Visit studyguide.au.dk and get all practical information about being an international student.
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The chart shows the five most common types of work for graduates 1-2 years after finishing their degree. The data is derived from a survey made by Epinion for the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Aarhus University in 2020.
Upon graduation, a Master’s degree in Human Security allows you to have job opportunities in many different sectors. Depending on your specific area of interest, you could work for NGOs, international organisations, governmental agencies, private companies or consultancies which deal with issues and topics involving human security.
If you are interested in human rights, a Master’s degree in Human Security would make you a strong candidate in working for organisations like the Red Cross, the Danish Refugee Council, CARE, IBIS, and many more. Big international organisations such as the UNDP, UNICEF or the World Bank may also benefit from your expertise. If you are interested in sustainable development policies, employment with Danida, Norad or USAID may be of further interest. Also, it is possible to work for national ministries or government authorities, handling international aid or environmental programmes. If you wish to focus on food safety, natural resources, or the consequences of climate change, companies like Vedvarende Energi, QualiTree or Undesert may find you well suited as a potential member to their organization. Regardless of your field of interest, there is no doubt you will be able to use what you have learned in a professional field you wish to be in.
Anders Baltzer Jørgensen from Danida elaborates:
“There's a great need for a degree programme like Human Security with graduates who are able to analyse ‘human security’ in relation to conflicts, environment and climate change. (…) Human security graduates will be able to find employment within a wide range of companies, organisations, Danish and foreign governmental organisations as well as multilateral organisations, where they can work as generalists, specialists, consultants, analysts or advisors in the implementation process.”
In our Human Security profiles, found at www.humansecurity.dk, former Human Security students tell how they are using their human security backgrounds in their current careers.
The Master’s degree programme’s competence profile is described in the academic regulations. Some of the learning outcomes are listed below:
After completing a Master’s in Human Security, you also have the option of applying for admission to the PhD programme at the faculty’s Graduate School. You can apply when you have completed your Bachelor’s degree and one year of your Master’s degree studies, or when you have completed your Master’s degree. For more information about PhD degree programmes at Aarhus University, click here. It is also possible to apply for a PhD while you're still studying for your Master's (4+4 PhD programme). You can read more about that option here.
We have a strong Human Security PhD environment at Aarhus University. This is not least due to the Anthusia programme, where sixteen students were admitted. Among these sixteen students, six are currently placed at the Moesgaard Campus, Aarhus University. You can read more about the programme, here.
Please contact the Student Counselling Office for information on and advice concerning the structure of the Human Security Master’s programme, your options for the third semester, or employment opportunities after graduation.
You can read more about various career services at the website, Arts Karriere, the career center at the Faculty of Arts.
