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 course is developed and taught by the Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen, in cooperation with the Rafto Foundation (external link) and Institute for Human Rights and Business (external link)
The Business and Human Rights course runs every autumn semester and opens for applications on 25 March. You will then find a link to the application webportal Søknadsweb at the top of this page.
Note: This course has a study fee of NOK 35 000. UiB does not offer any scholarships.
Furthermore, this course does not qualify for applications for a study permit or a Norwegian visa.
How do I apply?
The course is offered every autumn semester. Next course run will be Autumn 2026.
Application step by step:
You apply via Søknadsweb (external link):
- 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 attach all required documentation (see admission criteria below).
- You will receive a receipt by email.
Important dates:
- Application portal opens 25 March 2026
- The first date of applications review: 15 May 2026
Everyone who has applied by this date will receive a response to their application within 1 June 2026 - The second application review is on 1 August 2026
- If there are still available study places after this, we will continue admitting applicants until final deadline 15 August
Please note that it is only possible to apply for this master's courses 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.
Weekend gatherings Autumn 2026
- Weekend 1: September 24 - 27 (physical or digital attendance by choice)
- Weekend 2: October 9 - 11 (digital)
- Weekend 3: October 30 - November 1 (digital)
- Weekend 4: November 20 - 22 (physical or digital attendance by choice)
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. Relevant work experience must be related to work on democracy or human rights in an organization or in a public or private enterprise. 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. All of the documents listed below must be submitted before we can process your application:
- Bachelor's degree certificate/diploma (copy of official certificates, 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
Proof of English language requirements. See more information regarding tests and exemptions listed on this page: English language requirements for master's programmes taught in English
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.
Note: UiB does 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.
You will receive information about how- and when to pay the semester fee when you are accepted as a student.
Consequences of non-payment
The full tuition fee and the semester fee must be paid within the given deadlines. If they are not paid, you will be withdrawn from the course and denied access to take exams or receive 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: