Children's Rights

The Master's programme in Children's Rights leads to a Master of Science (MSc) degree in International Development Studies. It offers students the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge of issues related to international children's rights.

The field of children's rights is discussed primarily from a social science perspective, but the programme also examines some of its legal aspects. Students who have completed this programme will:

• understand theories of childhood and the history of the field of children's rights;
• appeciate the implications of children's rights for policy development and implementation;
• be equipped with analytical tools for examining the conditions under which children live and the relevant best practices for their improvement;
• be able to link the field of children's rights to the discipline of International Development Studies
• gain a thorough knowledge of contemporary theories and issues surrounding international development, as well as insights into key themes within the sector, such as globalisation, transnationalism, (urban) governance, sustainable development, and community-based natural resource management.

Studying Childrens' Rights at the University of Amsterdam

The programme in Children's Rights at the University of Amsterdam is an interdisciplinary social sciences programme. The interdisciplinary character of the curriculum and the students' various backgrounds are both attractive features of this programme. Close connections with the European Network of Masters in Children's Rights provides access to expertise at other European universities.

Amsterdam itself is a city with a long and important history in the development of international relations, commerce and law, and is today among the most lively, diverse and cosmopolitan cities in the world. The nearby International Court of Justice in The Hague has made the Netherlands an international centre for human rights issues.

Accreditation and degree

The quality of this Master's programme has been verified by the Accreditation Organisation of The Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme Children's Rights students will receive a legally recognised Master of Science (MSc) degree in International Development Studies

The special focus on Children's Rights will be mentioned in the diploma supplement which also contains grade information on all completed courses.

You can find more information on accreditation and degrees through the links below.