Introduction
Business has significant impacts on human rights. Companies create jobs and pay taxes that provide governments with resources to create the infrastructure needed for people to realize and assert their human rights. However, corporate conduct can also adversely affect the rights of workers, consumers, and communities.
This part-time Master`s is developed and taught by the Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen, in cooperation with the Rafto Foundation and Institute for Human Rights and Business.
How do I apply?
The course is offered every autumn semester. We will admit qualified applicants as long as we have available spots. First date of applications handling: 15 May 2025
You apply via Søknadsweb:
- Select the University of Bergen from the dropdown menu.
- Applicants with a Norwegian ID-number may log in with ID-porten or Feide. Other non-Norwegian applicants, please choose: Login International Applicant
- Fill in your personal information and address.
- Find the Business and Human Rights course under the "Continuing Education" tab.
- Register your application and you will receive a receipt by email.
Please note that is is only possible to apply for two of our master's courses taught in English, via Søknadsweb. In order to apply for any other of our continuing education courses taught in English, please see course webpages for for guidance.
Course content
This course provides a better appreciation of the nature of human rights violations that can be linked to corporate activity, regardless of corporate intent. The course does this by examining the ethical and legal standards, duties, and expectations of companies.
Our focus will be on the dilemmas of operating in a space where local standards and rules may vary from and sometimes contradict global standards or policies. Furthermore, the course will explore emerging initiatives to deal with human rights and business and assess the effectiveness of voluntary corporate codes of conduct.
The course will enable students to develop strategies consistent with international human rights standards and to identify policies and practices that do not undermine human rights.
The Business and Human Rights course is an independent course but is also one of the elective courses in UiB's part-time master's program in Democracy Studies. The other courses in this program are however taught only in Norwegian and are therefore open only for Norwegian-speaking applicants.
How is the course organized?
The Business and Human Rights course is a part time course taught each Autumn semester.
Teaching will be given through four weekend gatherings throughout the semester. These will be organized either fully digital, or hybrid. Hybrid means that you can choose whether you want to participate physically at UiB's campus in Bergen or digitally via live streaming on Zoom.
Week 1: 18th-21st September (Bergen/digital)
Week 2: 10th-12th October (digital)
Week 3: 31st October - 2nd November (digital)
Week 4: 21st - 23rd November (Bergen/digital)
The assessment consists of a semester paper assigned at the beginning of the semester.
It is mandatory to submit a draft mid-semester. If you do not get a pass the first time around, you will get an one-week extension to revise and submit your mandatory draft.
Admission requirements
Prior education and work experience
To qualify for acceptance, you must fulfil both of the following criteria:
- Hold a bachelor´s degree or equivalent education of minimum 3 years duration/180 ECTS
- Have at least 2 years of relevant full-time work experience. If you have only part time work experience, this must be converted to equivalize full-time, e.g. a 50% position must have at least 4 years duration
Required documentation
Applicants with Norwegian citizenship: See requirements on the Norwegian course page
Non-Norwegian applicants: You must attach the following documents, stating that you fulfil the admission criteria:
- Bachelor's degree certificate/diploma (all pages)
- Transcript of records including a description of the grading scale used
- CV
- Formal certificate of service or other confirmation from current or former employer(s) showing that you meet the requirement for at least two years' full-time relevant professional experience. The certificate/verification from the employer must be dated and contain the following information:
Start and end date, employment rate, job title and signature from the employer (e-signature is approved) - Copy of your valid passport or photo ID
Study costs
Study fee
This course has a study fee of NOK 35 000,-
We will send out the invoice early in the Autumn semester. The invoice will be sent to you personally. If your employer is to pay the tuition fee, your employer must fill out a form with all required invoicing information. You will receive more information about this when we confirm that you have been accepted to the course.
All students, both domestic and international, will without any exceptions have to pay the same study fee.
UiB do not offer any scholarships.
Semester fee
All students who are accepted for a study place at UiB are obliged to pay a personal semester fee of NOK 650,- per semester. The semester fee is financing common benefits and services for all students at UiB.
Information about how- and when to pay the semester fee will be given when you are accepted as a student.
Consequences of non-payment
The entire tuition fee and the semester fee must both be paid within the deadline for withdrawal from the exam. In case the tuition fee or the semester fee has not been paid, you may be denied the right to take the exam or get assessment.
Please read Terms and Conditions for Online and Part-time Studies at the University of Bergen
Do you want more information?
If you have questions about academic content, organization or teaching, you can contact the Department of Comparative Politics: