Humanitarian Action

The COVID19 pandemic has impacted societies globally. It has exposed the vulnerabilities and fragility of our existence. Unfortunately, it has emerged at a time when the International Humanitarian System is already challenged to address the effects of other disasters. We are living in an era of unprecedented humanitarian need brought about by climate change, complex political emergencies resulting in conflict, global migration, and protracted conflicts. Before the pandemic emerged, an estimated 72 million people were displaced from their homes due to conflict, an estimated 180 million people were in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, and almost a billion were under-nourished globally. Needless to say, the devastation of COVID19 will vary considerably across societies.



This MSc provides high quality academic education and professional competencies for those working or intending to work in the area of humanitarian action and related areas. The programme aims to provide students with a broad foundation in the area of international humanitarian action, in which both critical thinking and research skills are emphasised. The goal is to deliver high level, committed, interdisciplinary trained personnel who can function with enhanced professionalism in the broad field of humanitarian relief, and are informed by their theoretical insights and humanitarian principles. The programme design integrates professional and research orientation that is intended to bridge the gap between academic research and the humanitarian work-field.



The programme supports students to build suitable networks for research and internships. This masters programme has a long tradition of attracting students from diverse backgrounds with varying degrees of experience in the humanitarian sector and related fields.



This MSc Programme is closely aligned to the UCD Centre for Humanitarian Action (UCD-CHA) and NOHA, both of which are well recognised as key global institutional stakeholders in Humanitarian Studies.



The programme provides a dynamic classroom based learning environment, involving a variety of teaching methods such as lectures, simulations and field-trips. Students have the opportunity to explore specific themes through second trimester specialisations and a minor thesis. The MSc in Humanitarian Action brings together experts from academia and the field to lecture on the different modules.



What Will I Learn?

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the humanitarian principles, and the ethical, legal and emancipatory rationales for humanitarian action

• Established competence in the theory, policy and discourse of humanitarian action as it relates to a range of related disciplines, including programme management, international law, geo-political science, public health and social anthropology

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the international humanitarian system, the main stakeholders that comprise this system, together with the main challenges faced by the system in addressing global humanitarian need

• Apply research knowledge and analytical skills that support evidence-based humanitarian action

• Critical analysis of humanitarian action to optimise local engagement and support ‘people-centred humanitarian action’

• Demonstrate an understanding of and capacity to work in a humanitarian context (Field Visit)

• Design and develop an appropriate research study to strengthen resilience in a humanitarian context.



Humanitarian action is regarded as a boundary discipline, occupying a space on the margins of several academic disciplines. The MSc Humanitarian Action is an inter-disciplinary programme welcoming students from a diverse range of backgrounds including management, politics, public health, international law, social anthropology, agriculture, science and engineering.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

HACT40110 Legal Dimensions of HA Autumn 5

HACT40120 World Politics and HA Autumn 5

HACT40130 Social Anthropology Autumn 5

HACT40140 Public Health Autumn 5

HACT40150 Management in HA Autumn 5

HACT40230 Intensive Humanitarian Action Autumn 5

HACT40010 Evidence-based Community Resilience: Applied Research Design Spring 10

HACT40020 Linking Localisation with Humanitarian Management Spring 10

HACT40100 Addressing GBV in Emergencies Spring 10

HACT40200 Minor Thesis Summer 30

• Applicants must hold a minimum of an upper second class degree, or international equivalent, in a cognate subject.



• Knowledge of languages of the place(s) of study is an asset. Practical experience in the area of humanitarian action and / or development is valued.



• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



• Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

90

1 year full-time. Delivery: On Campus.

MSc Humanitarian Action (D062) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 9000

nonEU fee per year - € 24200


***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

D062: Master of Science Humanitarian Action Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career Opportunities

There are some 600 alumni of the MSc Humanitarian Action holding positions both in the field and at headquarters level around the world. Many of these alumni are employed with the UN, Government, Non-governmental organisations or within academia.



Graduate Roles:

• Programme Managers

• Protection Officers

• Field/Country Directors

• Emergency Team Leaders

• Administrators

• Researchers

• Academics and Consultants