Organization: University of Oxford
Registration deadline: 01 Apr 2016
Starting date: 10 Jul 2016
Ending date: 06 Aug 2016
This summer school offers participants the opportunity to follow an intensive programme of university-level study in international human rights law within the beautiful surroundings of New College, Oxford. The programme was established by the University of Oxford and George Washington University Law School in 1995 and around 1300 students and practitioners from all over the world have attended the summer school since that time.
Over four weeks, faculty, participants and invited guests create an international camp where key contemporary challenges to the protection of human rights and dignity are placed into focus. The residential nature of the course allows participants to immerse themselves in the topic and create lasting connections with faculty and peers. This intensive programme explores the international and regional human rights law and enforcement machinery and a range of challenges to the protection of human rights. The programme places a particularly strong focus on the enforcement of law in practice.
The programme is taught by an internationally recognised faculty combining both academic and practical experience. The course offerings focus on the theory and practice of international human rights law and include an introductory course in the fundamentals of international human rights law, an advanced course in human rights advocacy and electives that address important contemporary issues in the field. The programme also includes key note honorary lectures, a careers panel and a number of social events.
If you would like to support human rights defenders who would not be able to attend the programme due to financial restrictions, please consider donating to the International Human Right Law Summer School Bursary Fund. This fund has been set up to provide the opportunity, by way of a bursary, for grass roots human rights defenders working in the most challenging areas of the world to take part in the transformative learning experience offered at Oxford on the Joint Summer Programme in International Human Rights Law and build their capacity to address serious human rights violations at the grass roots level.
The next programme will take place 10 July - 6 August 2016. The website will be updated with information specific to that programme in early 2016 and admissions will also open at that time. In the meantime, you may wish to read the information currently on our website about the 2015 programme to get a general idea about the course. The 2016 programme will be very similar to 2015 but course offerings and tutors may differ and fees will be higher due to annual fee increases. If you are interested in attending the 2016 programme please email iphumrts@conted.ox.ac.uk inserting 'IHRL SS 2016' in the subject line and we will add you to our mailing list to keep you updated.
How to register:
If you are interested in attending the 2016 programme please email iphumrts@conted.ox.ac.uk inserting 'IHRL SS 2016' in the subject line. We will then add you to our mailing list and let you know when admissions are open.
North American applicants plus any student enrolled in a North American institution or professional working within North America, regardless of nationality, should apply through the George Washington University Law School with whom the programme is jointly run. All other applicants should apply through Oxford University by (a) completing and returning the application form, (b) supplying the required supporting materials and © paying an application fee.
The application form is a PDF and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (or similar PDF reader) software to open it. If you do not have this, you can download the latest version free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.htm. The form contains text fields into which you can type but you will only be able to save the information you enter if you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader v11. If you have an earlier version or PDF software that does not save your text entries, you should complete your application form by hand, clearly and in BLOCK CAPITALS, and then scan it. Make sure all relevant sections of the application form are completed. The application form must be accompanied by:
- A curriculum vitae (CV) / resumé
- A personal statement of 250 - 500 words outlining your reasons for wishing to attend the programme and what you believe you can contribute to the programme. You may also wish to address the criteria for the Santander Scholarships if you are eligible.
- In the case of non-native speakers of English, a certificate of English Language proficiency showing that you meet the minimum requirements for this course (see above)
- A passport-sized photograph (i.e.3 x 3.5 cm). The photo can be either inserted into the first page of the application form or sent as a separate attachment to your application. In either case, please send a correctly sized passport photograph showing only your face.
In addition, those applying through the University of Oxford also need to pay a non-refundable application fee of £25.00. This should be paid online via Oxford University Stores. A direct link is available here. If the direct link does not work, please go to Oxford University Stores, choose ‘Continuing Education'from the Product Catalogue, then 'IP' (or 'International Programmes') and finally ‘IHRL (or 'International Human Rights Law’). Select the product called ‘Application fee for International Human Rights Law Summer School 2015’, click on ‘add to basket'and follow the instructions. Please note that you should enter exactly the same personal details to pay your application fee as you have used on the applictaion form so that payments and applications can be easily matched. Where information does not match, the processing of applications may be delayed.
Completed application forms, together with all required supporting materials, should be emailed to iphumrts@conted.ox.ac.uk. Incomplete applications and those where no application fee has been paid will not be considered.
The closing date for applications is 1 April 2015 but early application is advised as applications are reviewed on receipt and some courses fill very quickly. We may accept late applications if places become available; please email iphumrts@conted.ox.ac.uk for further information.